Prelude in C sharp minor opus 81 was written for piano by Stephen Heller, published in 1853. It is number 10 from a set of 24 preludes, each one in a different key. (Chopin also wrote 24 Preludes, one in each key. You can listen to one I recorded here.) Heller lived from 1813 to 1888 and was born in Hungary, then moved to Paris in 1838 and remained there for the rest of his life. He was a composer of the Romantic era, producing mainly works for piano, and he also worked as a concert pianist and piano teacher.

This elegant and delicate piece is very characteristic of the Romantic period: with its highly expressive nature; use of a wide range of the piano; chromaticism combined with singing melodies; and freedom of tempo.

Another piece you may like to listen to is Schumann Fantasy Dance or Of Foreign Lands and Peoples, also by Schumann.

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