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Frédéric Chopin

Fantaisie in F minor (Chopin)

The Fantaisie in F minor, Op. 49, by Frédéric Chopin is a single-movement work for the piano, composed in 1841, when he was 31 years old. From Chopin's letters it is known that he used the name

Form#

This work belongs to the Fantasy form, a composition free in form and inspiration. It begins with a solemn marching theme that eventually plunges into a passionate and virtuosic section, the transition marked poco a poco … doppio movimento, still with elements of marching, but more triumphant and positive in mood. About halfway through the piece occurs a slow and sombre chorale-like section in B major, before the previous section is restated. After a short, quiet and sweet statement followed by a final flourish the work ends in a plagal cadence in A-flat major, the relative key. This piece is 11–14 minutes long.

  • Chopin’s autograph manuscript in the National Library of Poland
  • Performance of Fantaisie in F minor by Cecile Licad from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in MP3 format
Composer
Frédéric Chopin