Description
Chopin's four Impromptus have a strongly improvisatory character, yet they are still imbued with fleet-footed lightness, dignity, and tastefulness. This applies particularly to the first three pieces in this volume - opp. 29, 36, and 51.
The first Impromptu was written in 1837, while the other two were composed during Chopin's relationship with the authoress George Sand, at her country estate of Nohant: op. 36 in 1839, and op. 51 three years later.
The opus number of the Fantaisie Impromptu, op. 66, is misleading, as the piece had already been written in 1834 as the first of the four works. Chopin had apparently not intended it for publication, and it was only issued after his death, thanks to the efforts of his friend Julian Fontana.
The printed version of the Fantaisie Impromptu diverges significantly from the extant autograph manuscript. Both versions are reproduced in the Henle Urtext edition.
