Composed between 1845 and 1846, and published the following year (1847). After Chopin settled in Paris, his friend, the cellist Auguste Franchomme, provided significant support both artistically and in his daily life. This work was published with a dedication to him: “To his friend, Professor at the Paris Conservatoire.” It consists of four movements and is Chopin's fourth work to feature the cello as a solo instrument.

First Movement: Allegro moderato, 4/4 time.

Although in sonata form, it deviates from the typical textbook sonata form structure in that the second theme, rather than the first, is recapitulated in the recapitulation section.

Second Movement: Scherzo (Allegro con brio), 3/4 time. D minor.

It begins powerfully, presenting a theme with a clearly defined rhythmic pulse. It progresses with a sense of dynamism, as one part plays a dynamic melody while the other provides chords (or counter-melodies) like interjections. The middle section modulates to D major, featuring a “Cantabile” section where the cello plays a legato melody, characteristic of Chopin's mastery of lyrical lines, while the piano provides arpeggiated chords.

Third Movement: Largo, 3/2 time.

In B-flat major, it is a slow movement in a lyrical style. The theme that appears here bears a resemblance to the “Funeral March” (third movement of Piano Sonata No. 2).

Fourth Movement: Allegro, 2/2 time.

It is in a two-part form where the development section also serves as the recapitulation. The coda is in G major and marked “più mosso al fine” (faster to the end), concluding the entire work brightly.