Finding a tempo for Etude #3 Op. 10 in E

[allchopin]

The indicated tempo for this (Chopin) piece is eighth note = 100.   Now, every recording I have ever heard of this etude is far slower than 100 (nearly half).  It also says Lento ma non troppo, but I don't think this would halve the speed in any way.  Why does everyone play it too slow, and what's correct here?

[schnabels_grandson]

I don't know if Chopin added that mm or not.  The reason people play it slower than that is that it sounds terrible if played much faster.  Try it.  Blah.

[Roberto]

The metronome indication of the étude op.10 nr 3 in the first original edition "Maurice Schlesinger" (who is buryd near Chopin in "Pére la Chaise"...) is exactly 100 for a eight note. That meanse exactly "76" on the contempory metronome...because Chopin's metronome dit not have the same "speed"...The étude op.10 nr 2 has "144" , that means with us "116"; I think this is very important to know the exactly tempo of each étude because it's changing the "interpretation". I can recommend you the recordings of Támas Vasary, Nikita Magaloff and Alfred Cortot because they respect the tempi...be careful with Pollini...one day I heared him live playng the étude op.25 nr 11 in exactly the half tempo of his recording!
If I can help you with "Chopinitis" let me know...I played everithing of him...be careful because he is agressif...;~))
Good luck!
roberto (sorry that my english is not that well!)

[allchopin]

Thanks Roberto.  This seems odd though- why would Chopin's metronome be different? They are based off of time... and what is the ratio of old tempo to new tempo (or is it arithmetic- simply subtract a certain value)?  Are these tempos on his music all wrong and should be 'corrected'?

[krenske]

Without being controversial, i think this is THE hardest chopin etude [requiring the most practice].
Anyone agree?