Beethoven's Rondo for Piano in C is among his first works, perhaps even the earliest to survive. This rondo, in A major, must have been composed shortly afterward, since its publication date (1784) came just a year after the Rondo in C appeared. There were, of course, three piano sonatas (in E flat, D, and F minor) that also come from this time, when the composer was about thirteen. Both rondos are obviously works of a young artist, but each shows good thematic talent and a grasp of form. The present work also divulges hints of the composer's greater skills to come.

It features an attractive, joyful opening melody and a second theme of similar character. There follows a third one, this time of sterner mien, which already looks ahead to that manic seriousness often found in the mature piano sonatas and symphonies. The first melody reappears, and there follows some fairly sophisticated development of the third theme. The first two themes reappear, and the work closes with a reprise of the opening melody. Beethoven demonstrates a quite satisfactory handling of the rondo form throughout. At this early age, he must already have been thinking on a grander scale than these rondos and the little piano sonatas would indicate.

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