Impromptu

[baroquevn]

As we know, Chopin composed  4 impromptus, Impromptu No. 1, A flat major, Op. 29, Impromptu No. 2, F sharp major, Op. 36, Impromptu No.3, G flat major, Op. 51, Impromptu Fantaisie-Impromptu, C sharp minor, Op. 66. But, for the  "Impromptu Fantaisie-Impromptu, C sharp minor, Op. 66 ". I have seen somewhere they wrote " Impromptu No. 4, C sharp minor, Op. 66, everyone please tell me that is correct or in correct? :cry:

[wanderer]

As we know, Chopin composed  4 impromptus, Impromptu No. 1, A flat major, Op. 29, Impromptu No. 2, F sharp major, Op. 36, Impromptu No.3, G flat major, Op. 51, Impromptu Fantaisie-Impromptu, C sharp minor, Op. 66. But, for the  "Impromptu Fantaisie-Impromptu, C sharp minor, Op. 66 ". I have seen somewhere they wrote " Impromptu No. 4, C sharp minor, Op. 66, everyone please tell me that is correct or in correct? :cry:

Impromptu in C# minor or "Fantaisie-impromptu" was numbered the fourth, but actually the first one to be composed. Chopin composed it in 1834 but didn't publish it. It was until after his death that Chopin's friend Julian Fontana published it in 1855 and added "Fantaisie" into its title. According to music critic James Huneker, the title "Fantaisie" seems to be superfluous since this impromptu shares the same characteristics as other three. We cannot say that Chopin composed three impromtus and one fantaisie-impromptu as if the fantaisie-impromptu is something totally unrelated to other three impromtus. The conventional numbering method for Chopin's work follows the opus order. We have Impromptus Op.29, 36, 51, and 66. Numbers 1,2,3,4 are not official. The same reasoning follows for the Polonaise-fantaisie Op.61. It's a polonaise, hands down!

[baroquevn]

Oh...Yes, Thank you very much. So, I got misunderstading :lol:  or something like that.

[nocturne]

As we know, Chopin composed  4 impromptus, Impromptu No. 1, A flat major, Op. 29, Impromptu No. 2, F sharp major, Op. 36, Impromptu No.3, G flat major, Op. 51, Impromptu Fantaisie-Impromptu, C sharp minor, Op. 66. But, for the  "Impromptu Fantaisie-Impromptu, C sharp minor, Op. 66 ". I have seen somewhere they wrote " Impromptu No. 4, C sharp minor, Op. 66, everyone please tell me that is correct or in correct? :cry:

Well, it doesn't matter, but it is more of an impromptu anyway.  "Fantasie" is more of an add-on, as someone already mentioned.  Chopin didn't originally like the piece anyway, some sort of "remake" of the Beethoven Moonlight sonata [although the only resemblance I see is the key...haha]

[Dean]

Well it's very interesting you mentioned moonlight sonata of Beethoven in this context!
you right, the key is the same, but there are few more similarities: the arpegios of the 3 movement, the stormy mood, and more than that - there in one passage which is absolutely the same in bout pieces!!
It's in the end of the moonlight 3rd movement (14 bars from the end), and in the 7th - 8th bars of the Impromtu no. 4 (3rd beat). It goed like that: (left to the right)

B A G# F# E D# F# C# B# D# A G# F# A E D# F# C# B# D# A G# B A

[enchantedpianist]

The pattern actually follows Moscheles [spelling?] Impromptu Op.80. It's weird that both Moscheles and Chopin used Beethoven's pattern. Or that pattern is just so common in musician's mind that they put it down in writing all the time.

[chauduyphanvu]

You know what, I've just realized that Bunin's playing on these impromptu is so sweet and comfortable for me, what he played as I think is the most truly style of Chopin's impromptus have ever been played! My friend said that Bunin plays and describes the exact meaning of what is called "Impromptu"!. Hope you guys enjoy his recording (Find it yourself).