In 1829, Paganini gave a series of concerts in Warsaw, affording the young and impressionable Chopin an opportunity to witness his astonishing virtuosity, not to his mention his often engaging music for the violin. This little-known set of variations was inspired by the music and performances that so moved Chopin during those Paganini Warsaw concerts—hence the nickname of this piece, Souvenir de Paganini.

In this work, Chopin drew on Paganini's Carnaval de Venise, incarnating within the variations many of the techniques displayed by the great violinist-composer. It should be mentioned that Paganini had the ability—even after his death—to inspire more works from important composers than probably anyone else, with Brahms, Rachmaninov, Lutoslawski, Lloyd Webber, and others writing popular variation works based on his themes.

This Chopin work opens with a rendering of the lovely Paganini theme, in all its playful, gentle and fluid appeal. Already Chopin makes it his own here, with piano writing unmistakably in his style. The variations that follow, whether imitating string filigree or other violinistic effects one would hear in a Paganini performance, are elegant and full of color in their gracefulness and sunny demeanor. In sum, this piece, lasting from three to four minutes, is attractive but not a major composition from Chopin.

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