Chopin: Scherzo No.4, Op.54

Introduction

Frédéric Chopin composed his Scherzo No. 4 in E major, Op. 54, the fourth and the last of his scherzos in 1842.

The scherzo was published in 1843. Unlike the preceding three scherzi (Op. 20, Op. 31, Op. 39), the E-major is generally calmer in temperament, though it still possesses some exceptionally passionate and dramatic moments. The scherzo is in sonata rondo form, moving to a trio in C-sharp minor that is based on a Polish folk song. As such, it is the only one of Chopin's four scherzos primarily based on a major key.