A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bagatelle
BAGATELLE (Fr. 'a trifle'). A short piece of pianoforte music in a light style. The name was probably first used by Beethoven in his 'Seven Bagatelles,' op. 33, who subsequently also wrote three other sets, two of which are published as ops. 119 and 126; the third is still in manuscript (Thayer, 'Chron. Verz.' No. 287). As bearing upon the title, it is worth while to mention that Beethoven's manuscript of his op. 119 has the German inscription 'Kleinigkeiten,' instead of the French equivalent. The form of the bagatelle is entirely at the discretion of the composer, the only restriction being that it must be abort and not too serious in its character.
[ E. P. ]