Fantaisie-Impromptu
Romantic works
Definition
A hybrid title combining fantasy (free invention) and impromptu (spontaneous character), suggesting a piece of particular freedom and improvisatory flair.
Historical Context
The title is associated almost exclusively with Chopin's posthumous Fantaisie-Impromptu in C♯ minor (Op. 66), one of the most recognizable works in the piano repertoire. Its compound title reflects its unusual formal ambiguity — more extended and dramatic than a typical impromptu.