This is one of two songs not included in Chopin's Op. 74 collection, which otherwise contains the entirety of his vocal output. The other one was Czary (Charms), from 1830, which, with Reverie, was not brought out for publication by Chopin's friend Julius Fontana, in 1856-57. Written in 1840, Reverie was posthumously designated "No. 19" among the nineteen songs in Chopin's oeuvre. It was chronologically, however, the fifteenth, written during the period of the composer's affair with one of the leading female writers of the 19th century, George Sand (Aurore Dupin Dudevant).



While this was a generally happy time in Chopin's life, this song is decidedly melancholy, hardly an unusual emotional manner for Chopin regardless of personal circumstances. The text is by Chopin's friend and countryman, Bohdan Zaleski (1802-86). It tells of lost love, of its grief, of its pain, of its despair. This song, unlike many by Chopin is dominated by the vocal part, the piano unusually deferential in its gentle, soft accompaniment. The theme sounds almost chant-like in its slow, disconsolate gait. The composer offers no hope, no hint of comfort here in this short, gloomy song. Its single stanza and repeating theme lend it an obsessive, yet soothing quality that make this a minor gem in Chopin's vocal output.



© All Music Guide