Chopin composed several works for cello, influenced by his friend the famous cellist Auguste Franchomme; the Grand Duo Concertant, an opera paraphrase on Meyerbeer's “Rober le Diable,” is among them. Franchomme personally participated in the elaboration of the cello part. The early Polonaise op. 3 with slow introduction was written by Chopin for the cello-playing Polish Prince Radziwill; Chopin cleverly underlays the cantabile melodies of the cello with fireworks of pianistic brilliance. A dazzling, energy-laden early masterpiece!