“Etude” literally means “study” or “exercise,” which is especially apparent in this particular work, which is designed to strengthen the “weaker” (that is, the third, fourth, and fifth) fingers of the right hand. But Chopin doesn’t stop there: the thumb and index fingers have to play the accompanying chords to the dizzying melody going up and down the keyboard on those “weak” fingers.
Just to underscore the technical nature of this Etude, Chopin even takes a page from the J.S. Bach playbook and indicates the fingering - note by note — of the almost 800 notes in this piece!
Hear pianist Xiaofeng Wuperform Chopin’s tricky Etude in A minor, Op. 10, No.2 in concert.
Some other links to Chopin Etudes, courtesy of Wikipedia:
These pages are a gateway to the complete solo keyboard music of Fryderyk Chopin. The Chopin Project began as an ambitious live-concert-and-symposium series at the University of Michigan's acclaimed School of Music, Theatre & Dance with added support from CREES (The University of Michigan's Center for Russian & East European Studies) and the Copernicus Endowment. Now we intend for this site to be a global clearinghouse that will let fans, students, and scholars alike look up their favorite Chopin works, and discover more about them. So look for YOUR favorite Chopin pieces, discover new favorites, and share your thoughts with us!
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