User:OceanEtude/25
Placeholder for future Op. 25 page.
History
The etudes
No. 1 in A-flat major
Étude Op. 25, No. in A-flat major is a solo piano work composed by Frédéric Chopin in 1836, and published in 1837. Its romanticized names are "Aeolian Harp," for Schumann's description of it, and "The Shepherd Boy," for Chopin's advice to a pupil to picture a shepherd boy refuging in a grotto to avoid a storm playing the melody on his flute. This work consists entirely of rapid arpeggios and harmonic modulations based on A-flat major.
This étude comprises a right-hand melody and supportive bass line, the accompaniment consisting of broken chords, provided by the inner voices of both hands, usually in
The distinctive theme is presented in A-flat major. Through metamorphic modulations to closely related keys, it eventually arrives at a brief episode in the remote key of A major, but culminates with an intense climax in the home key, and a momentary reference to the original thematic material, which flows easily into the coda.
As a technical work, this piece requires considerable dexterity and velocity if played at the appropriate tempo. It also requires exceptional delicacy of touch and makes great demands on both hands in terms of spreading the fingers to accommodate very wide ranging arpeggios. The inner voice figures consist of repeated figures of arpeggiated chords. One difficulty this étude presents is the voicing of the inner counter-melodies. Schumann once commented on Chopin's subtle emphasis on certain melodies throughout this piece.[2]
No. 2 in F minor
Étude Op. 25, No. 2, in
No. 3 in F major
Étude Op. 25, No. 3, in F major, is a technical study composed by Frédéric Chopin. The romanticized nickname of this piece (not given by Chopin, who thought that idea was repulsive) is "The Horseman" or "The Knight", probably because of its "galloping" style. It is mostly a study in rhythm. The study has four different voices that must be brought out by the performer. The technical figure consists of lateral movements of the hand that must be played with flourish and refinement. [3]
No. 4 in A minor
Étude Op. 25, No. 4 in
No. 5 in E minor
Étude Op. 25, No. 5, in E minor, is a technical study composed by Frédéric Chopin in 1837. Marking a serious departure in the expected technique developed previously, Chopin wrote this étude with a series of quick minor seconds that produce slightly dissonant sounds. The effect has earned the étude the nickname "Wrong Note".
After the
The second section is marked as .
Étude Op. 25, No. 5 features an unusual overall structure, surrounding a
No. 6 in G-sharp minor
Étude Op. 25, No. 6, in G-sharp minor, is a technical study composed by Frédéric Chopin focusing on thirds, trilling them at a high speed. At one point, both hands play a chromatic-third scale. One of the most difficult études by Chopin, it is also one of the more lyrical of Op.25.
No. 7 in C-sharp minor
Étude Op. 25, No. 7 in C-sharp minor is a solo piano technical study composed by Frédéric Chopin in 1834. Markedly different from Chopin's overall scheme of technical virtuosity, this étude focuses instead on perfect sound and phrasing, particularly for the left hand.
Étude Op. 25, No. 7 is alternatively known as the "Cello" due to the prominent melody played in the left hand. It is at a
No. 8 in D-flat major
Étude Op. 25, No. 8, in D-flat major, is a technical piano study composed by Frédéric Chopin.
No. 9 in G-flat minor
Étude Op. 25, No. 9, in G-flat major, "Butterfly" is an étude by Frédéric Chopin. [5]
Étude Op. 25, No. 9 is a study of staccato - marcato alternations, marked throughout the piece. It is the shortest of the twenty-four, and lasts under a minute played at the indicated tempo. The melody is created by playing a detached octave, then two non-detached octaves. This makes a four-note group, the structure of which is used during the whole piece to convey the melody. This structure of rapid octaves can pose a challenge to the less technically experienced. Another difficulty is in the constant switching of solid octaves to detached octaves. It is much more straightforward to simply play one or the other for the whole piece.[6]
No. 10 in B minor
Étude Op. 25, No. 10 in B minor is a solo piano study in B minor, composed by Frédéric Chopin in 1835.
Étude Op. 25, No. 10 features many unique aspects not present in most Chopin's études, including a significant and distinctive
Copious pedal point notes and phrase markings are present in the second theme, but the entire étude lacks any pedal indications. Similar to the Op. 10, No. 4 étude, Chopin emphasizes legato playing through the phrasing and (lack of) pedal marking. Throughout the entire work, Chopin marks only five dynamic markings; the entire first theme is to be played forte to fortissimo, and the whole second theme is piano.[7]
No. 11 in A minor
Étude Op. 25, No. 11, in
Étude Op. 25, No. 11 is a study for developing stamina, dexterity, and technique - essential skills for any concert pianist. It begins with a
Étude Op. 25, No. 11 is an epic study of right hand dexterity and left hand flexibility. Both hands play an important role throughout the piece; the melody is sung through the heavy left hand, and the right hand contributes the étude's namesake with rapid
One dissertation stresses the importance of implied melodic structure throughout the right-hand figures. Meaning, the following passage (measure 10, 11):
Should be played thus:
accentuating those notes indicated by additional quaver (eighth note) tails. This serves to emphasize the underlying quartal rhythm to further accentuate the march-like theme of the left-hand.
No. 12 in C minor
Étude Op. 25, No. 12 in
The entire work, except the
References
- ^ Schumann quoted by Kullak, quoted by James Huneker in Chopin: the Man and His Music (1900).
- ^ "Chopin Etude 25.1", In the Hands. March 13, 2007.
- ^ From the Dover and Schirmer editions.
- ^ Palmer, W: Chopin Etudes for the Piano, page 96. Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., 1992
- ^ The title "Butterfly" was not given by Chopin (as is true for all Chopin pieces with such titles); however Arthur Friedheim said, "while some titles were superfluous, this one is inadequate.": Arthur Friedheim's description of the pieces in his edition of the works (Schirmer)
- ^ Musical Analysis at Our Chopin
- ^ Palmer, W: Chopin Etudes for the Piano, page 108. Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., 1992
- ^ Palmer, W: Chopin Etudes for the Piano, page 116. Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., 1992
- ^ a b Walker, A: Chopin Companion, The, page 136. Norton and Co., 1966
- ^ ISBN 978-0684106540.
- ^ Palmer, W: Chopin Etudes for the Piano, page 126. Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., 1992
External links
- Analysis of Chopin Etudes at Chopin: the poet of the piano
- Études Op. 25: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- Sheet music available in .pdf or Mutopia.