"Chopin composed several works for cello, influenced by his friend the famous cellist Auguste Franchomme the Grand Duo Concertant, an opera paraphrase on Meyerbeer's ''Robert le Diable,'' is among them. Franchomme personally participated in the elaboration of the cello part. The early Polonaise op. 3 with slow introduction was written by Chopin for the cello-playing Polish Prince Radziwill. Chopin cleverly underlays the cantabile melodies of the cello with fireworks of pianistic brilliance. A dazzling, energy-laden early masterpiece !"