Though this polonaise was written when the composer was only 12, it was not his first effort in the genre. Three others preceded it, the earliest coming when Chopin was just seven. While these youthful efforts are far from masterpieces, they disclose a talent to nearly rival that of the child Mozart.

Chopin's polonaises were almost always longer than his mazurkas, another dance form he adapted to the keyboard with success in his childhood. This G sharp minor polonaise runs about six to seven minutes in a typical performance, substantial enough by even Chopin's mature standards. The piece looks back to the Classical era in its lean and elegant main theme. There are hints of Mozart and Beethoven here, but Chopin's own characteristics are already present, as well. The middle section is vigorous but rather threadbare and overloaded with glitter. The writing is interesting throughout, however, divulging the 12-year-old's considerable keyboard knowledge. The return of the main theme brings back the haunting and somewhat dark atmosphere, in which the piece ends.

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