Fantaisie-Impromptu

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**Fantasie-Impromptu Op. 66 C sharp minor**

Key/Time Signature:	C sharp minor, 4/4 cut time
Form:	Impromptu
Date of composition:	1834, Published Posthumously
Opus Number:	66
Movements/Sections:	-
Dedication:	J. Fontana

Fantasie-Impromptu, opus 66 is a piano composition by Frédéric Chopin. It is one of his most well-known pieces. It uses many cross-rhythms (the right hand plays semiquavers against the left hand playing triplets) and a ceaselessly moving note figuration.

It was said that Chopin disliked the piece. As a result, it was not published until after his death. A possible reason for this was that it was written when he was still quite young (it is the first of the impromptus written) and he either thought himself immature, or that the piece lacked substance. Others speculate that Chopin may have felt the piece was too similar to another piece that Felix Mendelssohn had recently published. However, a more likely reason was that there is a passage in the piece (measure 7/8) which is exactly the same (note-wise, at least) as a passage in the third movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, Op. 27 No. 2 (a mini-cadenza prior to the coda, measure 187). Chopin had enormous amounts of respect for Beethoven towards the end of his life, and had instructed his student and secretary, Julian Fontana, to destroy the piece.

The piece's tempo is allegro agitato. It is in C-sharp minor and is in cut time. The tempo changes to largo and moderato cantabile when the key changes to a harmonically equal sounding relative, D-flat major as composed. This section of the piece was later adapted by Harry Carroll for the popular song "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows".

The piece then changes back to the original tempo where it continues in c-sharp minor rather than before. It then ends off in an ambigous fantasy-like ending, in a quiet and mysterious way... This piece has been widely recognized as one of the most popular pieces of the 19th century as it expands both the virtuosity for piano composition and unique style, (known as the Impromptu). However, perhaps the most impressive factor to consider is that Chopin wrote this piece at an incredibly young age.

[edit] In popular culture

The 1991 film Impromptu takes its name from the Fantaisie-Impromptu, which is both heard in the soundtrack and performed a number of times by the character Chopin. In the film, a different reason is given for the Fantaisie-Impromptu's not being published: Chopin (played by Hugh Grant) tells George Sand (played by Judy Davis) that he is not satisfied with it, that a true impromptu should have a feeling of perfect spontaneity.

Among other various classical pieces, this piece is briefly performed by the character Noda Megumi, in episode 4 of the anime series, Nodame Cantabile

This piece is also performed in numerous scenes by Tsuchiura Ryotarō in the anime series Kiniro no Corda.

Like Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata", this piece has also been played in part several times by the character, Zoisite, in the Japanese Live Action series Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon.