About the piece
Chopin composed it in 1834 but never wanted to publish it: it came out in 1855, after his death, thanks to his friend Julian Fontana, who gave it its title.
In the outer sections the right hand plays four notes for every three in the left: the famous “4 against 3”. The slow, singing middle section has become famous in its own right.
How to practise it
- Hands separately for a long time: each must be secure on its own.
- For the 4 against 3, count the points where the hands meet (the start of each group) and let the other notes fall in between.
- The middle section can be learned first: it is slow and rewarding.
- Use very low speeds (30–40%) and raise them a little every day.
Free sheet music
First page. Complete sheet music (PDF) on the Mutopia Project (public domain, edition by Guy D. Lederfein); in the Piano Learning app you read it two pages side by side while you play.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is it?
It is an advanced piece: speed, polyrhythm and stamina. The middle section is intermediate.
Why didn't Chopin publish it?
Nobody knows for sure; perhaps because of a similarity with another composer's impromptu, but that is only a theory.