Of the Chopin Valses it has been said that they are dances of the soul and not of the body.

Schumann declared that the dancers of these waltzes should be at least countesses....

This waltz might well be the successor of Weber's 'Invitation to the Dance'. It is one of Chopin's most popular and glittering works, full of sparkle and pianistic virtuosity (note the fast repeated notes and the witty appoggiaturas).

Niecks wrote: "Opus 18 differs from the master's best waltzes in being, not a dance-poem, but simply a dance, although it must be admitted that it is an exceedingly spirited one, both as regards piquancy and dash."

In the spring of 1834 Chopin took a trip to Aix-la-Chapelle, where at Whitsuntide the Lower Rhenish Music Festival was held. Hiller had received an invitation from the committee, and easily persuaded Chopin to accompany him. But this plan very nearly came to naught. While they were making preparations for the journey, news reached them that the festival was postponed; and when a few days later they heard that it would take place after all, poor Chopin was no longer able to go, having in the meantime spent the money put aside for travelling expenses. But what was to be done now? Hiller did not like to depart without his friend, and urged him to consider if he could not contrive in one way or another to procure the requisite pecuniary outfit. At last Chopin said he thought he could manage it, took the manuscript of this Waltz in E flat, went with it to Pleyel, and returned with 500 francs.