Although Tchaikovsky's piano works are not widely known, their number is remarkably large, with over a hundred pieces surviving to this day. During the period when he began his activities as a composer and a conservatory instructor, particularly from 1867 to 1872, Tchaikovsky composed numerous short piano pieces in succession. One such piece is the Romance in F minor, Op. 5. Composed in 1868, it was dedicated to the mezzo-soprano singer Désirée Artôt, for whom Tchaikovsky harbored affections. The approximate performance duration is five minutes.

In F minor, 4/4 time. The melancholic melody, sung Andante cantabile, exhibits polyphonic development. One can sense Tchaikovsky's ardent feelings and unceasing longing for her. The middle section is Allegro energico, powerful and passionate. In contrast to the first and third sections, which are characterized by a predominant horizontal flow, the vertical rhythmic pulsations tighten the piece. It should be played with a rich sonority in the inner voices of the chords.