What is this ornament?

[Quijote]

You're right, there are no "ornaments" in Boulez. Only his performance directions : "Vif", "Très vif", "Assez vif" ...

[Peter]

Really? I'm talking about the thing that looks like what these days is called a mordant, placed directly in the staff instead of above the note, and seemingly slurred to that E-flat. I've heard people play it like two quick notes, C and D, leading up to the E-flat, but I don't even know if they were looking at an edition with that thing there.

Whoops, sorry looking in the wrong place (previous beat) - in fact I think I need glasses as I could hardly see what you were talking about! Roehre is quite right - it is a slide. I think it was first used by Kuhnau around 1689 - gradually during the 18th century it was written out with small notes to replace the sign.

[Quijote]

It looks like you're right, Roehre. This page: http://arts.jrank.org/pages/6256/slide.html indicates it was even used in Beethoven's Op. 135!

Not in my edition it isn't (Breitkopf & Härtel, undated). This ornament is written out as a double acciaccatura. Did Beethoven use this symbol as you suggest from the link you give above? I don't have access to the autograph scores or sketches. Roehre?

[Quijote]

And as far as I can recall, I have never seen such a symbol used by Beethoven. I accept that I may be mistaken. Show me.

[Chris]

Beats me. I am almost positive it was never used in any of the piano sonatas or violin sonatas. It would seem like an odd thing for him to employ in such a late composition.

[Quijote]

Quite. Did he ever employ it in earlier periods? I have never seen it in any 'cello writing of his. We need access to the autograph / sketches for confirmation. As a (personal) shorthand, it's possible.