In 1831, the ambitious young composer Robert Schumann published an article in the Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung containing the famous exclamation, "Hats off, gentlemen, a genius!" This marked the first published recognition of a new, unique musical voice.
Schumann later expressed his appreciation for Chopin in his work Carnaval, Op. 9, from 1835. Titled "Chopin," the piece lovingly imitated the composer's unmistakable piano style. Numerous composers and pianists felt compelled to pay homage to this musician, who remains highly esteemed to this day. The outstanding pianist and composer Milo Balakirev, strongly influenced by Chopin, even created new arrangements of his works.
Edvard Grieg, often called the "Chopin of the North," also composed a piece in the style of Chopin. Ferruccio Busoni, Arthur Honegger, and Sir Lennox Berkeley likewise paid tribute to the influential composer in their compositions. Each of them presented a tribute in their own unique way.
Among the diverse tributes was a work by Eduard Nápravník, who held a significant position in Russian musical life. Composers such as Franz Bendel, Tchaikovsky, Villa-Lobos, Federico Mompou, Godowsky, and Theodor Leschetizky honored Chopin in their own way, demonstrating the enduring importance and artistic versatility of the great musician.