Chopin published his Scherzi nos. 1–3 at more-or-less regular intervals, in 1835, 1837 and 1840 – almost as if he’d planned them in advance. He published his fourth and final work in this genre after a further three years, in 1843. When compared with its predecessors, which were largely bleak in mood, this Scherzo no. 4 is surprisingly cheerful. With its sparkling runs and its chains of chords like dappled brush strokes, this work seems to summon up the fairy-like spirit of Mendelssohn’s scherzi...