Chopin Etude op.25 #11 "Winter Wind"

[arensky]

I found this piece to be one of the easier (and oh so cool, my favorite "mad" piece) Chopin Etudes, but many pianists find it very difficult. I found it was very useful for developing "rocking wrist motion" (my own term, has nothing to do with Jerry Lee Lewis ). And if you let the wrist do half the work and just let your fingers fall (positioned over the correct keys of course),fatigue won't set in.What's hard is when the LH takes the passsagework suddenly in the middle, but it's more a psychological challenge, avoiding the "omigod, now the other one!"syndrome; this also happens in Liszt's 6th Rhapsody.

What's it like for you, Inquiring mind wants to know!

[mozoot]

I'm curious to hear a recording of you playing this "easy" etude....

[thierry13]

I'm curious to hear a recording of you playing this "easy" etude....

Now, Arensky, you understand me 

[arensky]

I'm curious to hear a recording of you playing this "easy" etude....

Not "easy'; "easier". All the Chopin Etudes are very difficult. This one fits me rather well, unlike Op.10#1 and op.10#2 and op.10 #7 and and op.25#3 and op.25#6 (working on now in spare time). In the sort of near future you probably will, I am currently balancing two concerti for scheduled concerts and am learning a recital program of mostly new music. Perfecting Chopin's op.25 must wait a year or two, it's not something to take lightly.

Which Chopin etudes fit you, or don't fit; Inquiring mind wants to know....

[pita bread]

Haha, few of you appreciate Arensky's comedic genius.

[arensky]

Now, Arensky, you understand me 

I never didn't! But sometimes you speak too quickly, and appear tactless and conceited. In real life,
not cyberspace, this will work against you as it has  here, but in reality people play their cards very closely and don't let on, and when you least expect it HHAAHHHHHH!!!! they stab you in the back.... just offering for what it's worth.

[mozoot]

Whats the concerti program?

[arensky]

Whats the concerti program?

Liszt Eb and Mozart c minor K.491 in the spring

[m]

I was wondering why this etude called "Winter Wind"? To me it sounds much more "revolutionary" than op.10/12. IMO, the "winter wind" suits much more something like Finale of B flat minor Sonata. Personally, I actually against of 'nicknames' for pieces.

I have been playing almost all Chopin etudes for many years, but found that for me the 10/2 and 25/11 are the hardest ones. Only lately (after many earlier attemps of getting back to them) I start getting confidence, so they become "easier". But still, the idea itself of playing them in public brings me into a fear (as also with Feux Follets, and Mendelssohn-Rachmaninov Midsummer Night's Dream Scherzo). I didn't have it with op.10/1 or 25/6... after everyday working on each for a few years.
 

 

[arensky]

I was wondering why this etude called "Winter Wind"? To me it sounds much more "revolutionary" than op.10/12. IMO, the "winter wind" suits much more something like Finale of B flat minor Sonata. Personally, I actually against of 'nicknames' for pieces.

I have been playing almost all Chopin etudes for many years, but found that for me the 10/2 and 25/11 are the hardest ones. Only lately (after many earlier attemps of getting back to them) I start getting confidence, so they become "easier". But still, the idea itself of playing them in public brings me into a fear (as also with Feux Follets, and Mendelssohn-Rachmaninov Midsummer Night's Dream Scherzo). I didn't have it with op.10/1 or 25/6... after everyday working on each for a few years.
 

Don't know how it got nicknamed, some critic probably;  yes, it's very revolutionary! But I hate the nicknames too...

I agree with you, these are formidable pieces to perform in public. Yet op.10#1 and op.25#6 do not give you "the fear" (I like that!)....they sure give it to me! Particularly op.10#1. Feux Follets? Someday, maybe... It's interesting, how different pianists find different things hard; I want to play op.25 complete in the next few years,I like the way it flows better than op.10. But there's other music in the meantime, and this is not a project to be taken lightly. In op.25 for me the "fear ones"would be g# minor, F major and Db major.

Your dedication and patience are admirable, it reminds me of Lipatti refusing to play the Tchaikovsky Concerto until HE was happy with it, although others urged him to go ahead...

Fine wine takes time....

[happyface94]

I have played 2 other chopin etude and they are much easier than the Winterwind, and by a huge margin.

[amojoam]

Dear Inquiring Mind,

The etude that most fits me is the Chopin Black Key Etude Op 10 no 5

it really isn't too difficult when you play it like a bird. 

[thierry13]

Dear Inquiring Mind,

The etude that most fits me is the Chopin Black Key Etude Op 10 no 5

it really isn't too difficult when you play it like a bird. 

Hi Da Franz 

[arensky]

Hi Da Franz 

What??? I don't get it Thierry...by the way is this Etude easier or harder for you?

Oh, I get it, I get it....

[thierry13]

What??? I don't get it Thierry...by the way is this Etude easier or harder for you?

Oh, I get it, I get it....

Harder. What did you get?

[amojoam]

i am flattered that you quoted me thierry, however, why did you do so?

da Franz?     sorry, i don't understand