The legendary virtuoso pianist Ignace Jan Paderewski did try his hand at composing some large-scale works, such as the mammoth Symphony in B minor ("Polonia"), but much of his output consisted of shorter piano pieces which became staples of his concertizing repertoire. The Miscellanea for piano, seven basically unrelated works candidly titled and published in a group as Paderewski's Opus 16, are good examples. The Miscellanea generally remain in a light, frothy style, suitable for listening in the salons of the high-society women to whom they are dedicated—places where Paderewski found himself very much at home. They also demand incredible virtuosity on the part of the pianist, which Paderewski had no problem supplying. As one might expect, this music is also heavily indebted to Frédéric Chopin, Paderewski's fellow Polish virtuoso and composer, especially in the two "Légendes," which both resemble Chopin's Ballades. The second "Légende" is a bit more audacious than the first, feinting at a grim beginning but settling into a world-weary chromaticism; it then takes one small melodic turn and makes it the vehicle for all sorts of virtuoso tempests before settling into a serene ending. The Nocturne even has a touch of Slav lyricism, and its melodies are perhaps the loveliest in the set; the technique Paderewski demands here serves to heighten the luminous stillness, especially in the closing pages. The Menuet also has its charms, with its echoes of Polish mazurka, robust rhythmic play, and carefree atmosphere. And while the "Mélodie" and "Moment musical" come the closest to the stereotype of salon compositions as the sugar candy of music—sweet, delightful, but empty—the "Thème varié" is actually a substantial work. Paderewski used this work to collect all the compositional techniques he had learned for the piano, and the work's staggering technical demands reflect this. But the theme is restrained and noble, and most of the variations are quite intriguing even apart from the pianistic skill they require. Paderewski was not a great composer, but he was good enough to delight his audiences, and the Miscellanea on the whole are delightful works.

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