In 1782 Mozart was industriously studying the music' of Bach and Handel and experimenting with the composition of works, such as this fine Fantasia and Fugue, more or less in their style. In a letter to his sister dated April 20, 1782, Mozart remarks that he is enclosing a three-part prelude and fugue in C, and this is probably the very work. As so often with Bach, introduction and fugue are beautifully complementary ; the Fantasia establishes a mood of restlessness and tension relieved and dispelled by the simple, quiet Fugue.
Mozart's Rondo (K. 511), a curious, rather melancholy little work, was composed in March, 1787, a month or two before the famous G minor Quintet-perhaps the most passionate, not to say tragic, of all Mozart's instrumental compositions.
' The F minor Ballade is undoubtedly the crown of Chopin's work ', wrote Dr. Ernest Walker on one occasion. And J. D. M. Rorke has told in his fascinating ' Musical Pilgrim's Progress' how, when ' there came a time when Chopin completely ceased to be played or sought ', ' there emerged an exception -the F minor Ballade '.
The Ballade was probably written in 1842, for on December 15 of that year he wrote to the publishers, Breitkopf and Hartel : ' I have to offer you a Scherzo (for 600 francs), a Ballade (for 600) and a Polonaise (500).' The Scherzo was the E minor, the Polonaise the one numbered Op. 53.