Which are your favourite Chopin Etudes?

[Jemmers]

Simple isn't it? No competition here, no argument. Just, simply which Chopin Etudes you love the most. It's an appreciation thread.

How bout, gimme the top 5 and reasons.
I'll add mine later... when i've decided  

[thracozaag]

Simple isn't it? No competition here, no argument. Just, simply which Chopin Etudes you love the most. It's an appreciation thread.

How bout, gimme the top 5 and reasons.
I'll add mine later... when i've decided  

 10 #2-This, well played (like Cortot), brings shivers up my spine.
 10 #6-Simply gorgeous
 10 #8-Once again, in the hands of Cortot, a magical etude.
 25 #6-The beauty of this piece is in the left hand.
 25 #11-As hackneyed as it is, a great performance of this is terrifying.

[meiting]

I hate all of them.

[BoliverAllmon]

then why record all of them?

[Black_Key]

I hate all of them.

*gasp!* lol

I think all of his études are genius, so I have a slew of favorites. They are:

Op. 10, No. 4 - Exhilaration and mischeif set to a soundtrack.
Op. 10, No. 8 - The flow of the notes makes this piece indescribable.
Op. 10, No. 11 - A perfect blend of delicacy and power.
Op. 25, No. 1 - Simply beautiful. The hidden melodic lines grants the piece its magical powers.
Op. 25, No. 2 - The piece's speed and weightlessness of this piece is outstanding. You might as well be in the sky.
Op. 25, No. 5 - The the playful dissonace that enclose the piece are offset by a middle passage that has breath-taking beauty.
Op. 25, No. 6 - The beginning has a gentle cajoling effect that gives the piece a lot of charisma. To me, it's like something beautiful that has been tainted; or like a deceptive seducer of sorts.
Op 25, No. 9 - Nothing like the good old ragtime! This one makes me happy.
Op 25, No. 10 - Gotta love the drama.

Ok, I have to stop now, or else I'll write about all of them. I love almost all of them and I would have written about more, but that would defeat the purpose of having a favorite (which I'm sure i have already done ).

Hey Mei Ting, dont' deny the fact that you dream about these etudes every night!

[guven]

I hate all of them.

Agreed.

[leemay001]

I love almost all of them, but my favourite is the ocean etude I believe it is called. Op25 #12. I don't have a particular reason, it just appeals to me more than the rest in some way.
  ~Lee~

[thracozaag]

I hate all of them.

 LMAO

[trunks]

My favourite 5:

1. Op.25 No.11 (winter wind)
2. Op.10 No.8
3. Op.10 No.1
4. Op.25 No.12 (ocean)
4. Op.25 No.8 (sixths)

Can't really explain a preference, can you?

[liszmaninopin]

I appreciate all of them, but especially love op. 10 #'s 1, 2, 3, and 10.  In op. 25, #'s 3, 4, 5, and 12 are favorites of mine.

[Xelles]

1.) Op. 25 No. 7 - Cello Etude
2.) Op. 25 No. 6 - Etude in Thirds
3.) Op. 10 No. 12 - Revolutionary Etude
4.) Op. 25 No. 11 - Winter Wind Etude
5.) Op. 25 No. 12 - Ocean Etude

[anda]

1.) Op. 25 No. 7 - Cello Etude
2.) Op. 25 No. 6 - Etude in Thirds
3.) Op. 10 No. 12 - Revolutionary Etude
4.) Op. 25 No. 11 - Winter Wind Etude
5.) Op. 25 No. 12 - Ocean Etude

pretty much the same for me, and i would add op. 10 no. 4 and 8 and op. 25 no. 1

[ayahav]

Mine are as follows:

I.  10.4 - It's the first one that I ever learnt, and I always find it hard to breathe during the cadence just before the coda - it's THAT beautiful.

II. 25.12 - Again, some of the candences are amazing. Also, what Chopin can do with a simple folk song is amazing.

III. 10.6 - The melody is amazing and the chromaticisms are breathtaking.

IV. 10.2 - Chopin uses a primitive chromatic scale to make indescribable music.

V. 25.2 - The weightlessness of this music makes it a delicious treat.

I'm afraid if I mention any more etudes I could say something for each one of the etudes....