It is based on a Russian folk tune in B-flat major, that the composer had earlier used in his first attempt to write a string quartet. It was first called Capriccio (Italian, "whim") but was later changed to "Scherzo la russe". The other piece in the work was called "Impromptu" in E-flat minor, Op. 1, No. 2.
| Date of composition | 1867 (1863 for No 2. 1867 for No 1) |
| Premiered | 1867, April 12th in Moscow, Russia |
| First published | 1868 in Moscow, Russia |
| Dedicated to | Dedicated to Nikolay Rubinstein (creator of the pieces) |
| Catalogue | Op. 1 |
| Approx. duration | 14 minutes |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Autotranslations beta |
Piotr Ilitch Tchaïkovski: Two Pieces for Piano, Op. 1 Pëtr Il'ič Čajkovskij: Two Pieces for Piano, Op. 1 Pjotr Iljitsch Tschaikowski: Two Pieces for Piano, Op. 1 |