The piece was inspired by the legendary Mazeppa, a Ukrainian nobleman caught in an amorous encounter with a count’s wife. As punishment, he is tied to a wild horse which is then driven into the night. The piece accelerates in tempo, perhaps imitating the galloping horse, which eventually collapses.
Mazeppa is rescued and made leader of the Ukrainian Cossacks, eventually himself leading a revolution against his tormentors.
Berezovsky with his youthful vigour has speed in his hands and his descents are taken at extreme speed and power - one can perhaps imagine the attack of the Cossack armies in real life.
There is even a section of galloping chords, ascending and descending, as if the horse mentioned is galloping, and then an abrupt silence - perhaps the collapse. (This is purely left to your imagination - I was actually imagining Mazeppa and the count's wife...[sorry, censored]).
