Chopin Fantaisie-Impromptu Op. 66: VIRTUOSITY with ELEGANCE - Analysis tutorial

It's ironic that Chopin's most famous work, the Fantaisie-Impromptu, wasn't published during his lifetime. Today we actually have several different versions of it: the first edition by Chopin's friend Julian Fontana in 1855, recent Urtext editions that have removed Fontana's own additions, and one version based on a manuscript acquired by Rubinstein in 1962.
Pianist Henrik Kilhamn goes through this fantastic piece of music that fits so well under the fingers, and points out where the versions differ. The stormy agitato sections give way to a lyrical cantabile middle section which posess all the sweetness but none of the melancholy of a Nocturne.
0:00 Introduction
3:10 Analysis
8:14 Cantabile section
▶ PERFORMANCE video: • Chopin Fantaisie-Impro...
📄 Link to article on the different versions on Pianostreet: www.pianostreet.com/chopin-sh...
⭐️ EASY ARRANGEMENT
Chopin Cantabile from Fantaisie-Impromptu: sonatasecrets.gumroad.com/l/c...
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▶ Sample video: • Chopin: Cantabile from...
More arrangements: sonatasecrets.gumroad.com/
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Frédéric Chopin: Fantaisie-Impromptu, Op. posth. 66 (1835)
📄 SCORE: Schirmer, edition, 1894, editor: Carl Mikuli, imslp.org
Emoji artwork provided by JoyPixels, joypixels.com

[@MasterRancisis]

Just discovered your videos, started binging them they're so watchable!

[@SonataSecrets]

I'm glad you like them! :)

[@maurochantal9004]

Your explanation of Fantaisie-Impromptu was excellent, and you play this piece beautifully. After 30 years, I am slowly studying this lovely composition by Chopin. Hugs from Brazil!

[@samhellyeah]

this channel will blow up mark my words

[@smutnamezatka]

AMEN!

[@wellyngtonamaral4097]

not yet

[@PatrickQT]

This has to be one of the most beautil piano pieces ever written. Definitely for me.

[@Artur-kp2cc]

И красиво исполненных.

[@england670]

You are so nice to breakdown these classic piano pieces and explain them to us. You play so sweetly

[@SonataSecrets]

Thank you, I'm glad you like it!

[@HWLee-vu4hv]

Very interesting! Even for non pianist, it was very educational.

[@Araconox]

What a beautiful piece and what a fantastic pianist. You make it look so natural and so easy. It's anything but easy and natural. I started to learn this piece by myself in my middle teens, made some progress but never finished it. I would like to play it through with no mistakes and up to speed before I die ( I'm 73 now) . Thanks for the lesson. I'm determined , and don't (want to) give up.(which is what many people do when they run into obstacles).

[@alexroznowski9413]

Keep it up!

[@erinchillmusic8930]

One of the most professional and helpful music analysis videos one KZbin. Thank you for sharing!

[@tayebkhaldoun7875]

Your performe is very original and your analysis is very interesting. Thank you

[@SonataSecrets]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@MusicLover-oe3ig]

This has always been my favourite piece of music ever, my heart will melt by the beautiful melody..... "Sun Rise Moment" to hear your dazzling fingers and techniques..... Bravo!!

[@Barettix]

Thanks for the class and interesting notes for us, the laymen. You're a fantastic pianist aswell, I was very much enjoying your Impromtu.

[@SonataSecrets]

Thank you so much! :)

[@lisacalgary5660]

Thank you! Great teaching and information. The relaxation in your playing is gorgeous especially in the fast sections

[@aryansaraf2448]

so much love and effort put in this video. I enjoyed a lot!

[@rcc3574]

Enjoyed your thoughtful observations and insights. Thank you!

[@johanbengzon5664]

Thank You so much Henrik! Really enjoyable, interesting and inspiring! Looking forward to even more presentations, so keep up this nice work!

[@SonataSecrets]

Thank you so much Johan! :)

[@Raymonddoc1]

Your explanations and historical overview are simply fabulous. Greatly appreciated and thank you for your tutorials which are elegant and provide an excellent overview.

[@twhite3850]

I love the middle part. It is slow reflective. That is the only part that I remember how to play. I learned the whole song decades ago. I am relearning the rest now. I love improvisations that I have heard on the middle part, especially extra trills that some artists add. Charleen Stevens starts the middle part with a beautiful improvised extra trill.

[@twhite3850]

In fact, he just did an extra improvised trill...!!!!

[@SonataSecrets]

It's tempting to do an extra trill sometimes ;)

[@Biomirth]

I like the simpler trills, mainly because I fail on double trills. But the piece will work no matter how you accentuate the trills as it is Chopin and not Baroque.

[@buddydog1956]

Correct a/b the extended trills...I believe Artur Rubenstein performs those in earlier recordings I heard. Personally, I like the added trills, however not until the theme has been played once over ~

[@twhite3850]

@@buddydog1956 Since I posted this 6 months ago, I have actually been practicing and getting much better at trills. I added my own to the Fantaisie Impromptu and almost perfected the alternative trill for the "middle part." I also agree with you that trills are good after the theme has been played. This way the listener can experience the difference.

[@beauforda.stenberg1280]

A very useful channel. I will look out for you in future. Loved the sunrise moment!

[@vonner622]

Great video, analysis and playing! Thanks!

[@izabellamardo1074]

Beautiful Henrik, you é muito elegante, simpático, carismático, discorrendo sobre a elegância das belas obras de Chopin é the best

[@lisalmenard3828]

Very interesting. I can only aspire to one day play like this, but for now I just enjoy listening to the beauty. This piece is my favorite at the moment. It’s captivating. I learned so much about it through your video. Thank you for sharing your gifting, honed talent, and knowledge.

[@edwardcone6860]

Thank you for your brilliant exposition of this amazingly beautiful piece. What a world tragedy had it never been published!

[@vinaypamm1]

One of the best videos on KZbin !! God bless you with immense success, peace and prosperity

[@LuxuFoo]

Omg this channel is a phenomenal. Can't wait to binge the rest of your videos. ❤

[@SonataSecrets]

Welcome! Should be around 19 hours or so by now I think :)

[@nikobenedikt709]

Enjoyed every second of this. Helped me so much. Thank you !

[@meienwilson8512]

Me too! Can not watch this video too many times because I’ve been teaching myself to play this piece for 10 months.

[@user-gj7di7cv7c]

On the 03 of January of 2023 Year ! GRATE Thank You !!! Thank You VERY -- VERY MUCH !!! Your Play is VERY USEFUL, Good for Me !!! Your INTERESTING Master - Class !!!

[@Kassiusday]

Elegance & virtuosity two terms to describe Chopin that is fantastic I just subscribed I started to learn piano with “nocturne” a bit too difficult for a beginner but I do love so much that song .., it keeps me motivated to pursue and train more and more / aim one day I will be able to play it properly / !!! I am already able with each hand / but combined hands gives me some disconnection or too much connection ! But my brain is getting mature !!! Fantastic tutorial video !!!! Thank you 🙏🏾 !

[@AnaPaula-np5rq]

Lovely. Excellent explanation. Wonderful hands.♥️👏

[@coldackotatsu8020]

Kinda reminds me of a cold winter night outside in the 4 against 3 sections and being inside and warm in the cantabile sections. Thank you for the great analysis on FI :)

[@SonataSecrets]

Thanks! That's a very good way to think about it :)

[@greenbox5714]

The quality and explanations are outstanding. I miss the play this piece.

[@DrewAgave1988]

I'm currently learning this piece and your video was very insightful! Thank you so much!

[@wyeth1023]

My friend I love your videos, you explain things so elegantly it makes it quite easy to understand. You paint a picture with your words, thank you! /new sub

[@okonomiyakienak]

Hey, just wanna drop by to say thanks for the good explanation you shared. I have small hands and fingers, and I'm learning this piece! You know what, it's challenging, but it's possible! I really enjoy listening to you playing this piece, again, thank you!

[@zyxefalc0n505]

You actually helped me improve my dynamics in fantaisie impromptu thanks man love you vids. 😁

[@freyerik123]

Such good explanation , thanks for your effort. Great channel :)

[@socialite1283]

Delightful to hear such a perceptive description of this beautiful composition. I agree - often the best way to play conflicting sections is to commit them to finger memory and let the fingers do the playing. Necessary when you're playing so many detail notes with a two beats to the bar rhythm.

[@annachepikovaconcertpianis791]

Insightful and professional-great work!👏🎹

[@margarethansen7480]

Thanks, I love this music and your channel is wonderful❤

[@toddzhang445]

Love it, well done, Henrik.

[@SonataSecrets]

Thanks Todd!

[@grahamrankin5557]

Wonderful ! I used to play this in my 20's & 30's before stopping playing the piano for other more pressing reasons. Hearing it again in this way makes me wonder if my now 78 year old hands and fingers are able to bring it back to life again, having started playing again after all those years. I've almost perfected playing Fur Elise again so maybe it's possible? I hope so, because this is one of my favourite and memorable pieces that I could play.

[@carlosandresgranadapalacio8622]

What a beautiful work, thank you. I am waiting for the Nocturne Op. 27 No.2 :)

[@SonataSecrets]

Thanks! One day...

[@violinousa]

The kind teaching helps me a lot.Great thanks to you....

[@dianethan-trong1030]

I have just found your channel today. From Beethoven to Chopin... This is such a marvelous piece music and an so good lesson about how to play it. I am going to learn this. Thank you so much for your lesson. This video clip should earn 10 stars. 🙏🌿🌷🍒💛

[@SonataSecrets]

I'm glad it was helpful! :)

[@mlliu2006]

Bravo! Well done. Thank you. I will never be able to play this like you do, but this video has helped :-)

[@olakolade6656]

I like your analysis!

[@pdxxx97266]

such a joy to watch this...thank you!!! :)

[@deborahrosen3324]

I also learned this piece in High School! Wondering if it’s too difficult to re-learn it as an adult who hasn’t played in many years...???? I just loved playing it for many years. My friends and family adored hearing it. I just picked up Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata again and it’s a challenge but not entirely Impossible 👌😊

[@woox4930]

I think you will relearn this easily, because you already had developed the muscular memory for the piece

[@alexduina3726]

in my very humble experience re-learning is much easier and faster than the first time; it’s so interesting to feel the muscle memory in action; give it a try!

[@wrsdes]

Thank you Sir for your learned explanation presented in such harmony with nature!. Greetings from Sri Lanka!

[@MarianoStatelloPiano]

Thank you for this videos! Helps a lot👏👏👏♫♪

[@Lifealwaysgetsbetter]

Thank you! Great instruction. Love it.

[@klevang7557]

Good job man!

[@claudefazio]

Excellent video!

[@peterhesketh9040]

I loved your video and explanations.... thank you

[@PCDisciple]

10:02 got me, that emoji use hahaha. Great video sir!

[@SonataSecrets]

You're welcome! ;)

[@shentonpeters1191]

Beautiful Playing. Thank You

[@vinaypamm1]

Your video is just amazing !!!!!!!

[@theJackGriffinMusic]

Amazing video!

[@igorpaphnutius6065]

The lovely melody (5:35) reminds me of "Im wunderschönen Monat May" by Robert Schumann.

[@petergreen1869]

Lovely video. Many thanks sir.

[@SonataSecrets]

Thank you.

[@MC-hx6xn]

Thanks for the rare comparison between Fontana and Rubinstein versions! Thanks also for mentioning that this piece was written to fit the hands, I had never thought of that! Re-learning piano after several decades off like many of your viewers, I’m now learning the Rubinstein version and I appreciate his sympathy for smaller hands in this version (for me, measures 123-124 of the coda). Of course I don’t know if the Baroness had small hands or arthritis!

[@sizzlinglizzi1345]

Fabulous , superb , really beautiful , thank you . I began learning this 10 days ago, I am totally obsessed with it ...it is going to take a long time . My edition is Augener's Klindworth -Scharwenka , no date , I bought it as a '' Chopin Popular Piano album '' from a charity shop . , No introduction , no explanations , just music .It has a major difference in the Cantabile section : what you call the ''second episode '', which is the 30th bar of the cantabile section , is completely different in my edition , whereas yours seems to be a repeat of the first ''episode ''in bar 18 of this section . Makes me wonder how many versions there are .......so now I am completely intrigued .

[@ronb6182]

Thanks for the theory lesson it brings back memories of theory class. at my high school and college days. I took Harmony and Theory class in tenth grade. Then in college. I even remember about the Picardy third in the cadence.

[@mafuaqua]

well done, thanks!

[@eduardomolli5860]

Following right now ! Thanks.

[@davidherthnek6212]

Love the way you use smileys to highlight the moods!

[@alexduina3726]

very well done, thank you 🙏

[@peterbeadle1]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, I’ve got a student learning this so I’ll send her the link😃🎶

[@SonataSecrets]

Check out my EASY ARRANGEMENT of the Cantabile section: sonatasecrets.gumroad.com/l/chopin-fi-cantabile 💲 Get 15% off with the discount code: "secretseeker" More SIMPLE SOLUTIONS arrangements: sonatasecrets.gumroad.com/

[@yinyangxperience5137]

At 14 he learned this, why does that amaze me? I started at 8 and I was nowhere near Beethoven.

[@TungNguyen-fc7rh]

9:43 that change from A flat to C on the bass really amused me, LOL

[@erinchillmusic8930]

Excellent teaching

[@surajittchaivongnarong9247]

Wonderful video love it

[@marialouis324]

Thank You so much Master!

[@nogayardos2362]

Flawless 👏👏👏

[@sunilsinha3333]

Thanks a lot sir, very helpful and informative video sir, hats off

[@SonataSecrets]

Thank you!

[@memocoir1531]

now i know way more than i ever wanted to, but thanks a lot !

[@robertoorso6055]

Very cool video with interesting info I was not aware!! This one from Chopin is one of the piece for which I'd love to learn piano sooner or later :) (yeah, sooner would be much better ahah)

[@Kassiusday]

Always good to fulfil your wish I just started during the lockdown I should have started earlier ...,but never too late at least I start // curiously the Yamaha I but came with Chopin nocturne as song which I connected straight away ... the good thing studying music and playing piano you connect even more with music ( .. I used to play guitar )

[@linglingpianista]

So beautiful ❤

[@hagar30001]

Congratulations! Very high difficulty level....It's just...... Chopin!

[@dejotaemanuel6144]

I love Ballade no 1 in g minor op 23 and Fantasie Impromptu.. Chopin was GENIUS

[@elias7748]

I love all of them. 1,2,3, and 4.

[@ronenrozenberg8742]

Loved your video about this piece,I'm 18 and I started learning piano when I was 16 and a half,and chopin is my favorite composer,so the first piece I ever learned was his op.28 No.20 prelude in c minor,then his op.28 no.4 prelude in e minor,then his op.28 no.7 prelude in a major,and then when I heard this piece I just decided that I want to learn it by my own,the pandemic came just on time for me cause I had time off school and I managed to learn this piece by myself just by reading from the sheet,anyways I just came here because I love your channel and the way you explain the pieces and I found out you did a video about this one too,like I said before, amazing video :))(

[@SonataSecrets]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Good luck with your piano playing!

[@Biomirth]

Chopin will serve you well. He was my favorite to play when learning and you will get a very good foundation if you just play his catalogue. I'm still crap at his polkas but the rest I've played everything. I also learned this just from the sheet music and it is exhilarating when you earn it just through sheer force of will. The sheet music alone will give a great performance, but listening to the masters play it will of course add something. I, for instance, didn't know how much liberty I could take with speeding up and slowing down, but you certainly can, and this is a good piece to experiment with that.

[@ronenrozenberg8742]

@@Biomirth so true man,when I first learned the piece I didn't really know how it would sound the prettiest in terms of when to slow and when not(rubato)but after listening to a few masters play it I found the style of playing that I liked the most and created my own version of playing this piece that is similar but with a few changes in dynamics

[@gracet682]

Thank you very much !,,

[@haikel527]

great interpretation thx

[@MN-jl5rk]

Wonderful vertical piano.

[@CindyMusicPianoWorkshop]

Thanks for sharing

[@Stuugie.]

This song is beyond beautiful.

[@marvinmanuel5565]

You heat those accent so perfect

[@jorgealbertopitari6351]

Excellent...

[@mxbasuki]

You are amazing ...

[@SuperLeonardo40]

Im suscribed.U are my piano teacher officialy

[@kaylabryson1932]

Amazing

[@robertagaiba3760]

...and I liked YOUR elegance and virtuosity too

[@jgchicken2133]

Awesome video! Me as a amateur pianist who hasn’t got any classical music education know little about the history behind these pieces and found it really fascinating! Just maybe u should check your focus before recording next time :)

[@joshtt3240]

I will play this whole piece some day,I’m up to 5:22 it’s just such a hard piece to master.

[@leannihi6807]

Ikr? I only just got past 7:10

[@4ever_mo956]

I mean, its Not thaat complicated

[@Kassiusday]

@@4ever_mo956 sounds good to hear that from You but who knows maybe you were already playing piano in you born baby bed

[@YourPerfectDoom]

I've learned the whole piece but I often muck up the right hand passages speed or notes, tricky to master for sure.

[@sa3270]

I spent almost two calendar years learning it, though I could have done it in maybe 4 months if I made it a priority.

[@judyho3669]

Thx for all the music analysis which makes playing so much easier. It’s a very gd piece for finger exercise which I play everyday on top of Etudes. Any chance to give tutorials on etudes 3, 5 & particularly 12, Revolutionary? What about Chopin Scherzo #2, pls? Would watch your video more often now. Much appreciated for your teaching.

[@SonataSecrets]

Thanks, I'm glad you like them! I plan to do op 10 nos 3 and 12 next spring! Scherzo no 2 is also on the list for the future...

[@SonataSecrets]

Videos on Chopin Etudes Oare out now: Op. 10 no. 3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6bRq3moeLOqhZY Op. 10 no. 12: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGHRhmaAbcqCsNE

[@colinspill9271]

very good work, as always! I'm curious, where did you find Rubinstein version? I searched online and i found nothing... (my piano teacher told me to work on Rubinstein version but lol even her doesn't have the sheets)

[@ulfwernernielsen6708]

Colin Spill : In the Henle Edition of the Chopin 4 Impromptus boto versions are printed. Rubinstein recorded the “ normal “ Fontana version in the fifties and the “Autograph “ version ( which I prefer to call it ) in the sixties , but I wonder why he cut out two bars in the coda . Also Claudio Arrau and Nikita Magaloff have recorded both versions. All 6 recordings can be heard here on you tube.

[@abrahamisaiquiroz7014]

I just discovered your videos when I was searching Schubert and I ended up here in Chopin, fantastic work! Please do a video of the Ballade no. 1 from Chopin

[@SonataSecrets]

I will definately do the 1st Ballade at some point in the future.

[@SonataSecrets]

Done now: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZzJe6mmhKmWjq8

[@renilsonrocha607]

Lindo! Amei! Excelente!

[@Hjominbonrun]

Very great how you play this one. I need to revisit it. But fore that I need at least 3 cups of coffee.

[@RoelFlash]

Firstly, you're amazing and this is soooo good! first octave is very light . Why not more base? dynamics of first phrases . Why not? why not 3 vs 4 to begin with in training? What in the notation suggests that 2a volta should be accentuated in that way? It's hard to accept without a rational explanation

[@SonataSecrets]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Let me try to answer your inquiries. Octave: I like the melodic tenor register, but the balance is of course a matter of taste. Also I blame my own mics setup/sound mixing for not capturing as much as it feels like when I play. Dynamics: There are slightly different suggestions in the different versions. But generally I prefer holding a longer line here than being very expressive in shorter phrases. It's also a matter of personal interpretation. 3 vs 4: I mean to start with that of course, and then move on to 6 vs 8 as I play, I just skipped over that step in the demonstration. Accented 2nd time: I try to give a rational explanation at 5.50.