Frédéric Chopin - Waltz Nº 15 Posthumous arranged for classical guitar
Chopin’s Waltz No. 15 in E major, Op. Posth. is one of those lesser-known gems that quietly reveals his early poetic instincts.
The key is E major: a bright, lyrical tonality that contrasts with the melancholy of his E minor Waltz (No. 14). The mood is light, flowing, and intimate, like a personal sketch. Although graceful and optimistic, it is tinged with nostalgia. It feels like a musical letter, perhaps written to a friend or loved one.
This waltz could be seen as a moment of lightness amid uncertainty. Composed during Chopin’s early days in exile, it may reflect a longing for stability or a fleeting memory of peace. The E major tonality suggests hope, while its brevity hints at impermanence.
Chopin’s Waltz No. 15 in E major, Op. Posth., is one of those lesser‑known gems that quietly reveals his early poetic instincts - and its intimate scale and lyrical clarity make it especially rewarding on the guitar.
Written around 1831, it comes from a turbulent moment in Chopin’s life. At about twenty‑one, newly exiled from Poland and carrying the emotional weight of the November Uprising, he was navigating the uncertainty of Vienna and Paris while shaping the musical voice that would define him.
This waltz belonged to a group of private pieces Chopin shared only with close friends. Though he wished such works destroyed after his death, his sister Ludwika and friend Julian Fontana preserved them, giving us access to this small but expressive window into his early style.
Set in E major, the waltz has a bright, lyrical tone that contrasts beautifully with the darker mood of his E minor Waltz (No. 14). Its flowing lines and intimate character feel almost like a musical letter - graceful, optimistic, yet touched with nostalgia. On the guitar, its phrasing invites subtle rubato, delicate dynamic shading, and a warm, singing tone.
Composed during Chopin’s first days in exile, the piece can be heard as a brief moment of lightness amid uncertainty - a memory of peace, or a hope for stability. Its brevity only heightens its charm. Pianists value it as a lyrical miniature; for guitarists, it offers a chance to explore expressive nuance without relying on virtuoso display, making it a compelling addition to a growing repertoire.
Score: 4 pages
Comments: 4 pages
Below is a link to Youtube which will allow you to get an idea of what this piece sounds like on the piano. (Performed by Iskra Mantcheva)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_MT_Pz04ms&list=RDK_MT_Pz04ms&start_radio=1
Over the coming months, I will be playing short excerpts from all pieces listed in this catalogue on classical guitar myself and post them on my Youtube channel, titled:
Michael De Baker Arrangements for Classical Guitar.
Thanks for tuning in. Wishing you much musical enjoyment and many rewarding hours with our instrument, the classical guitar.
Michael
Contact. If you’d like to reach out - whether about repertoire, arrangements, or upcoming projects - feel free to email me at mdebakerclassicalguitar@use.startmail.com