Fréderic Chopin wrote his Tarantelle for piano solo, Op. 43, in 1841. It was published that same year. The piece is in the key of A flat major, marked Presto, and is considered to be technically demanding. It was inspired by Gioachino Rossini's 'La Danza', also written in the tarantella's characteristic 6/8 rhythm. The work seemed to be a fruit of Chopin's experimentation: Schumman praised it while describing it as 'extravagant', and there is no evidence of it being dedicated to or commissioned by anyone. Even though Chopin was very critical of it, it became a recording favourite in the 20th century.
