F minor (ending in F major), 3/4 time.

Among other works from around 1890, there are short pieces such as "Suite bergamasque", "Deux arabesques", "Mazurka", and "Rêverie." However, none of these pieces exhibit the bold experimentation or horizon-broadening discoveries found in his songs from the same period, and many largely remain within the realm of etudes. His unique musical language had not yet been established, and the strong influences of Chopin, Borodin, Massenet, Saint-Saëns, Franck, and Fauré are evident.

Although the "Valse romantique" is also considered a work from this period, it is actually presumed to have been conceived somewhat earlier.