In Italian, Scherzo means "jest" or "joke". In fact , this form closely resembles the construction of the Minuet, except for its character and faster tempo.
If the Minuet has the aspect of a measured dance, with small steps and a moderate pace, the Scherzo resembles a "running dance" or "breathless rush". Like the Minuet, the Scherzo is in triple meter and comprises three sections: Scherzo-Trio-Scherzo. It is sometimes concluded with a coda.
Scherzi were already written at the beginning of the 17th century. In 1628, Monteverdi published some light choral pieces, which he called "Scherzi musicali" ("Musical jests" or "jokes"). Beethoven was the first to introduce a Scherzo (instead of the Minuet) in his symphonies, particularly expressing its jocular mood and fast tempo, with a brilliant effect. He sometimes extended the Scherzo by repeating the Trio section twice, thus producing an A.B.A.B.A form.
Many composers, such as Brahms, Mahler and Bruckner, adapted the characteristic Beethoven Scherzo. Mendelssohn later introduced the rather fantastic and delicate Scherzo, which was also adapted by Chopin.
