Chopin’s Scherzo no. 3 was connected to his legendary winter in Mallorca in 1838/39, as were his Préludes op. 28. On 22 January 1839, the composer sent the autograph of the latter work to Camille Pleyel in Paris, and at the same time announced further works that would soon “flood” the recipient of his letter, including the Scherzo no. 3. Did perhaps its alternation of passages with furious octaves and a grave chorale reflect Chopin’s mood at the time? That’s a question players will have to decid...