Chopin’s Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60

Frédéric Chopin’s Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Op.60 is a piece for solo piano composed between autumn of 1845 and summer 1846, three years before his death. Based on the barcarolle rhythm and mood, it features a sweepingly romantic and slightly wistful tone. It is often considered to be one of his more demanding compositions, both in execution and interpretation.

The Barcarolle is one of Chopin’s last major compositions, along with his Polonaise-Fantasie, Op. 61. Many of the technical figures for the right hand are thirds and sixths, while the left features very long reaches over an octave. Its middle section is in A major, and this section’s second theme is recapitulated near the piece’s end in F-sharp. It is also one of the pieces where Chopin’s affinity to the bel canto operatic style is most apparent.

Listen to Chopin’s Barcarolle.

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