The Prelude in C major, which opens the cycle, has been called an ‘opening gesture’, and – as a gesture – it lasts but a moment. It leads into what follows, bringing enlivenment and even disturbance or tension, brought about by the coexistence of four different kinds of rhythm (spliced together). It is volatile and fleeting.Author: Mieczysław TomaszewskiA series of programmes entitled ‘Fryderyk Chopin's Complete Works’Polish Radio 2