Frédéric Chopin
Fantaisie-Impromptu
in C-sharp Minor, Op. 66
It's easy to see why the Fantaisie-Impromptu is among Chopin's most popular works. The sweeping melody of soaring sixteenth notes is hard, but fun, to play - and exciting to listen to.
Year: 1834 (publ. 1855)
Period: Early Romantic
Piano score: PS Urtext 
Audiovisual Study Tool
Sweeping brilliance, saved from the fire
The Fantaisie-Impromptu is a piece in ABA form. The A section has a sweeping melody of sixteenth notes running up and down the keyboard, accompanied by triplet arpeggios in the left hand. It's very fast and sounds almost a little chaotic, while the softer middle section with its wonderful cantilena provides a good overall balance to the piece. The coda begins passionately, but calms down little by little, reintroducing the theme from the middle section in the left hand. The three-against four cross-rhythm of the fast section may initially seem daunting to less experienced pianists, but becomes easier as each hand acquires the necessary speed. The hairpins in bar 5 and 6 of the otherwise sketch-like original text of the first version underline the importance of giving expressive shape to the cascade of right-hand notes.Background
Fantasie Impromptu was composed around 1834, but published only after the composer's death, contrary to his express wish that all unpublished works and sketches should be burned. Until 1962, when Arthur Rubinstein published a new edition, based on an autograph which he had sensationally found, the piece was known only in the form of Julian Fontana's 1855 edition, which contained significant alterations and additions to the composer's text. All modern Urtext editions, including the Polish National Chopin Edition, base their editions on Rubinstein's find. It is interesting to note that the middle section was used in the song I'm Always Chasing Rainbows, which was a very popular song in 1918.Practice & Performance Tips:
The cross-rhythms (sixteenth-notes against triplets) and the incredibly fast right hand figurations in the first section of this piece may seem daunting, and this is certainly not a piece for the beginner or even intermediate player. However, the Fantaise-Impromptu is not one of Chopin's most difficult pieces. The piano writing makes amazing use of very natural movements, and there is no great awkwardness for anyone with a normal-sized hand. As for the coordination problem, it also more or less solves itself if each hand is mastered separately and the pianist keeps focusing on a flowing alla breve pulse.Note that the Largo marking only applies to measures 41 and 42; the rest of the middle section is marked Moderato cantabile, which should mean a rather flowing tempo. Of course this lyrical and reflective section needs some time and flexibility, but take care to avoid a... Sign up for a Gold membership to read the practice tips.
Forum posts about this piece:
Cinodactyly!!!! with piano. by lonklin
Hi guys, so I have a condition called Clinodactyly where my pinky is curved in a good deal(genetic). I plan on getting this fixed and straightened and was wondering whether or not anyone knows if once I get it...
What is my next piece should be ? by mohammad2002
Hi Everyone, I have recently done working on Chopin Nocturne No.20 in C# Minor, I feel like I didn't struggle much with the piece even the scales at the end of the piece wasn't that hard for...
What is Harder overall... Fantasie Impromptu OR Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6 by nerdomo1
I have been deciding (for a while) which one I should go for first. I have been a pianist for around 10 years, and I would like to tackle one of these, but I would just like to know what the people think:
Please help me on this question by liszt-and-the-galops
Can you rank these pieces from easiest to hardest? Fantaisie-Impromtu Moonlight Sonata (Movement 1 only) Raindrop Prelude (Chopin's, I'm expecting this to be the easiest.)
What's your favorite 'Fantaisie Impromptu' rendition? by rodrigow_
Hello, I'm in the process of polishing Chopin's Fantaisie Impromptu and have been listening to a lot of different pianists recordings to help me develop my interpretation and rubato. With that...
what piece should I tackle next? by tox1234
Hello, I need help finding the next piece I am going to play, I have played liebestraum no 3, fantaisie impromptu, nocturne op 9 no 2, waltz op 64 no...
defining student progress by juanpianista
hi, so its my first time here though I have read this forum in the past a lot. I am a professional (though more jazz based) and I feel that my classical level is what some would call grade 7 maybe? or more...
Is this plan feasible? by henk de potvis
My (advanced) repertoire is the third movement of the moonlight sonata, and fantasie impromptu. I finished Fantasie impromptu in a month after not playing for a while. I would like to play la campanella, but...
Improving sight reading to high levels? by droprenstein
Right now, my sight reading ability is limited to Chopin Fantasie-impromptu at about 70% speed with few mistakes, and that's an exception due to me hearing it many times. My actual sight-reading ability is...
I love to learn Fantaisie-Impromptu by drhosseinzadeh
Hi there I love to learn Fantaisie-Impromptu . Would you please suggest some etude to help me learn this beautiful piece?
Improvisation in classical works - Fantaisie Impromptu Op.66 by nfp001
Hi fellow pianists, Lately improvisation has been center in my mind. What are your opinions concerning improvisation in (certain types) of classical works, how do you think it is received by the...
What piece should I learn next? by thepianolad
Hi, I am wondering if anyone has any piece recommendations for me to learn next. I have learnt so far: Fantaisie Impromptu, Clair de Lune, Rondo Alla Turca, Nocturne in Eb Major, Etude in E major...
What repertoire are y'all working on this summer? by anacrusis
Hey everyone! I'm curious what repertoire you are working on this summer? I'm working on some Chopin Etudes, as well as some random pieces. I also started working on Fantasie-Impromptu...
Am I capable of playing Fantaisie-Impromptu? by tingzj2000
One of my dream pieces for a long time. Scanned through this piece and for me it's not tremendously hard. I did Liszt Consolation No. 3 before, so polyrhythm is not really a big deal for me. But the Henle...
3 against 4 polyrhythms by romanticperiod
Hi, I am an amateur who has recently started. Does anyone have some good practice material for 3 against 4 polyrhythms like there are in the Fantasie impromptu? Thanks a...
What level is Fantaisie Impromptu? by nick.25
Hi! I am an (I would say) intermediate pianist. I used to go to music school but now play by myself. Some of my repertoire is: Chopin - Nocturne op. 9 no. 2 (Eb Major) Chopin - Waltz op. 64 no. 2 (C#...
fantasie impertru by annaa joy
hi, i wonder of someone could give me advice. i play piano for 6 years in music school, and that can sound a lot but i must say that im not that good because my tecaher dont wont to give me too much....
Pieces to improve technique by pianoman2
Hello, I am a 13-year-old student with ~3 years of experience playing piano. Of course, when I started I wanted to play all the ear-candy pieces like La Campanella and Fantaise-Impromptu. However, I now realize...
Need help for Liebesleid!! by dungtangtri
Hi all, I just finished practicing Fantasie Impromptu and I have started learning Liebesleid for almost 2 weeks. I have already finished about 1 and half sheet from this piece but my Progression is...
Choosing a new piece to learn by thepianolad
Hey I'm interested in learning a new piece and I find that choosing a piece and sticking to it is harder than learning it, so I'm wondering if you might help me choose. I'd say I'm a late...
(video) Fantaisie-Impromptu op.66 by F. CHOPIN / In-depth tutorial & sheet music by antune
Hi guys, Here is my new tutorial on Fantaisie-Impromptu by Chopin. I cover the whole piece by small sections with hands separate and both hands, including some information on pedalling, rubato, how to...
Members who like this piece have also downloaded:
Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp Minor Op. 66 by the composer Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849). This piano piece was composed in 1834 and is part of Chopin's Impromptus.