Études (Chopin)

From Conservapedia

The 24 Études of Chopin, Opp. 10 and 25, are immensely difficult technical exercises for piano.

The publication of the first set in 1833 revolutionised piano technique - in contrast to the methods of Czerny, Kalkbrenner and others, which sought to attain independence of the fingers, Chopin's demanded the engagement of the entire upper body as a whole. Aside from their new level of technical demands, the etudes are also well-known for beginning the sub-genre of "Concert Etudes," meaning pieces that are both meant as technical excercises and as works of musical expression with high artistic value. This trend was continued in numerous sets of etudes by composer/pianists Franz Liszt, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Alexander Scriabin, and Claude Debussy.

The most famous of the Etudes is Op.10 No.12 in C minor, the Revolutionary Etude - its crashing chords and fiery left hand passage-work supposedly evoke the 1831 Polish November Uprising against Russian rule.