This was Beethoven's first piano variation set composed after his arrival in Vienna in 1795. It is based on a ballet by Jakob Haibel (1762-1826). Haibel was a singer and composer from Vienna who married Constanze Mozart's sister. Viganò refers to a famous dancer of that era.

Although the title includes 'Minuet,' the piece inexplicably begins with a cheerful theme in 4/4 time. A triple meter only appears in the final variation. However, even this is at an Allegro tempo, and the rhythm gradually becomes obscured by sixteenth notes. In any case, Beethoven's humor is evident in the fact that it can hardly be called a minuet.

In the variations, frequent interplay between the left and right hands is observed. Furthermore, in Variation 10, the right hand crosses over the left to play in the lower register, indicating a showmanship aimed at the audience.