Scholars have long been trying to figure out the mystery of Chopin's one and only solo Fantasie. The highly individual form is a puzzle to all who prefer more traditional genre concepts. Is it a sonata movement, a rondo, or even a free combination of character movements such as march, recitative or chorale? Chopin lovers have no need of such considerations, seeing that nobody would ever dare to doubt that this Fantasie is one of the greatest works from his pen. After completing the composition, Chopin wrote “The sky is bright, but my heart is afflicted by sorrow.” This gloomy contrast pervades the Fantasie. It is an exceptional work from every point of view, now provided as a separate publication by way of a faithful Henle Urtext edition.