Trill in Beethoven opus 2 no. 1 prestissimo

[cas70]

How is the trill at measure 87 in the fourth movement of opus 2 no. 1 to be played?  The Alfred edition I'm using has a 32nd note septuplet against a quarter note for the trill at measure 83, but gives no editorial guidance for the trill against the half note at measure 87.

[jgallag]

Unfortunately, I left Book One of the Henle Urtext Sonatas at school. However, I can tell you that it likely (in both places) simply has a tr indicated above the note. Now, I'm looking at a public domain edition here, so tell me if I'm wrong, but is Alfred really asking you to fit seven notes into the space of one quarter note? I wouldn't try it. I'd do three, most five. The tr symbol can be interpreted in any number of ways, but basically it wants you to decorate the main note with a trill. It does not have to be a fast trill, and it does not have to last the full duration of the note. Most importantly, though, is that it should not draw attention to itself. If you find you need to stretch the tempo to fit the trill in, then you're going for too many notes. Trilling depends on your technique and physical ability. You play it as fast as you can, for as long as you wish without obstructing the musical flow. Phrasing and tempo come first; trill should not hurt either. In other words, ignore Alfred's recommendations and simply allow yourself to trill on those notes. Don't measure them, just trill. That's all Beethoven is asking for.

[cas70]

Thanks for the advice.  I too thought playing a septuplet against a quarter note seemed a bit ambitious at prestissimo speed, although this cantabile section doesn't seem to want to be played at as great speed as the beginning of the movement where the same editor has a quintuplet for a trill against a quarter note.  The quintuplet at prestissimo is perhaps doable.