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An '''etude''' (French: ''étude'', “study”) is a form of musical composition originally intended to aid or improve the technique of the player. As the [[Italian]] ''studio'', there are examples of the form dating back to the first half of the 18th century. With the development of the modern [[piano]] in the early 19th century, and its growing popularity as a household instrument, books of etudes appeared containing pieces, each of which instructed on a particular facet of technique.

An '''etude''' (French: ''étude'', “study”) is a form of musical composition originally intended to aid or improve the technique of the player. As the [[Italian]] ''studio'', there are examples of the form dating back to the first half of the 18th century. With the development of the modern [[piano]] in the early 19th century, and its growing popularity as a household instrument, books of etudes appeared containing pieces, each of which instructed on a particular facet of technique.

The form entered the concert hall with [[Franz Liszt]]’s ''Études en 12 exercises'' in about 1827 (These pieces were to finally become the ''Études d’exécution transcendante'' – or “''Transcendental studies''” -  among the most difficult to play of all piano works.); however it is [[Frédéric Chopin]]’s two sets (Opp. 10 and 25, published in 1833 and 1837) that established the etude as an artform; and are the most frequently performed today. Of the various other sets of studies written for the piano, those of [[Claude Debussy]], [[Sergei Rachmaninoff]], and [[Alexander Scriabin]] have the most lasting popularity.  

[[Frédéric Chopin]]’s two sets of etudes (Opp. 10 and 25, published in 1833 and 1837) marked the first appearance of the genre in the concert hall,<ref>"Study" from ''New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians''</ref> and are also the most frequently performed today. By Chopin's admission, pianistic wizard [[Franz Liszt]] was the first to truly master Chopin's etudes. A student of [[Czerny]], Liszt had earlier written a modest set of finger-exercises himself entitled ''Études en 12 exercises'' in about 1827, which stylistically resemble those of his teacher; after two miraculous transformations in 1837 and 1851, these pieces were to finally become the ''Études d’exécution transcendante'' – or “''Transcendental studies''” -  among the most difficult to play of all piano works. A similar transformation happened with Liszt's so-called "Grand Etudes After Paganini," written in honor of one of the greatest violin virtuosi in history, which contains the popular "La Campanella." Of the various other sets of studies written for the piano, those of [[Claude Debussy]], [[Sergei Rachmaninoff]], and [[Alexander Scriabin]] have the most lasting popularity.  

Etudes have been written for other instruments and even for full orchestra – [[Igor Stravinsky]]’s “Four Studies for Orchestra” and Alan Rawsthorne’s “Symphonic Studies” are notable.

Etudes have been written for other instruments and even for full orchestra – [[Igor Stravinsky]]’s “Four Studies for Orchestra” and Alan Rawsthorne’s “Symphonic Studies” are notable.

[[Category: Musical forms]]

[[Category: Musical forms]]