Composed in 1892, the year after Rachmaninoff graduated from the Moscow Conservatory. Rachmaninoff gained immediate fame through the second piece in this collection, "Prelude in C-sharp minor." This marks his first published work for piano. The premiere was given by Rachmaninoff himself at the Moscow Electrical Exhibition in 1892. The collection is dedicated to Anton Arensky, his composition teacher at the Moscow Conservatory.

1. Elegie in E-flat minor / Morceaux de fantaisie op.3-1 "Elegie"

4/4 time. A melancholic melody is sung over arpeggiated chords played by the left hand. In the middle section, the melody is placed in the bass, then reappears in the higher register, gradually building in emotional intensity.

2. Prelude in C-sharp minor / Morceaux de fantaisie op.3-2 "Prelude"

Rachmaninoff left a total of 24 Preludes: "Prelude, Op. 3-2," "10 Preludes, Op. 23," and "13 Preludes, Op. 32." These works are written in different keys. If these 24 pieces are numbered consecutively, "Prelude, Op. 3-2" would be the first.

C-sharp minor, 4/4 time, Lento. It was composed in 1892, the year after his graduation from the Moscow Conservatory, and published in 1893 as the second piece in "Morceaux de fantaisie." It is one of the most famous among his Preludes.

The opening musical idea is said to have been inspired by the bells of the Kremlin Palace.

In the February 1910 issue of Delineator magazine, Rachmaninoff himself commented on the conception and performance practice of this piece. In it, he cautioned against performances that rely too heavily on "emotion," leading to excessive changes in tempo and playing style. He also emphasized the necessity of carefully analyzing the score, understanding its form and structure, and correctly interpreting the composer's intentions. Furthermore, while the piece features striking dynamic contrasts, he advised considering the balance of volume towards the climax.

3. Melodie in E major / Morceaux de fantaisie op.3-3 "Melodie"

4/4 time. A rich melody is sung by the left hand, accompanied by softly articulated chords in the right hand. The middle section shifts to A major before returning to E major.

4. Polichinelle / Morceaux de fantaisie op.3-4 "Polichinelle"

A brilliant and virtuosic work, reminiscent of a jester leaping about with mercurial agility. Attention should be paid to sharp contrasts in volume and to pedaling to achieve lightness. It shares similarities with Ravel's "Alborada del gracioso."

5. Serenade in B-flat minor / Morceaux de fantaisie op.3-5 "Serenade"

6/8 time. It begins quietly with a sostenuto introduction. A waltz theme is played lightly, gracefully, and at times with humor.