Barcarolle (Chopin)

60, is a piece for solo piano by Frédéric Chopin, composed between autumn of 1845 and summer 1846, three years before his death.

[1] Based on the barcarolle rhythm and mood, it features a sweepingly romantic and slightly wistful tone.

Many of the technical figures for the right hand are thirds and sixths, while the left features very long reaches over an octave.

It is also one of the pieces where Chopin's affinity to the bel canto operatic style is most apparent, as the double notes in the right hand along with spare arpeggiated accompaniment in the left hand explicitly imitates the style of the great arias and scenas from the bel canto operatic repertoire.

It is often considered to be one of his more demanding compositions, both in execution and interpretation, and recordings exist by virtually all the greatest pianists.