Piano Forum

I quite my friend Malcolm about this etude:

"This étude is more difficult than it first appears for two reasons. Firstly, the metronome marking is j = 69 and not 60 as appears in some editions. This will seem quite fast, but it is intended as a slow two, rather than a slow six. Secondly, given this somewhat fast tempo, the richly chromatic inner voice is surprisingly difficult to play evenly and quietly AND with the delicate fluctuations that make it expressive without overpowering the melody. Once again, this étude must be played without pedal and is a real test of the ability to play legato and legatissimo in both hands. Section one (bars 1-16) exercises the left hand’s ability to play legato. In section two (bars 17-40) it is the right hand that must play both the melody and inner chromatics through a series of modulations. Section three (bars 41 onwards) is a shortened reprise of the opening theme with the left hand once more in charge of the chromatics.

Learn each section thoroughly WITHOUT any dynamics - the inner chromatics must be quiet and even throughout the piece. Once you have perfected the chromatics, you can then set about adding the dynamics and changes in volume. Also note that there must be no rubato whatsoever, except from bar 49 onwards where there should be a slight sostenuto as the piece draws to an end, followed by a smorzando and rallentando in bars 51-52. "

I can add a few things. First, to play legato needs some wide stretches for your left hand. Second, don't try to bite for too much in one step. It easily devides in an A-B-A pattern (which the majority of his etudes do) and learn the first part throughout before you move on to next.
About the music, it might take a while to understand but it's melancolique melody combined with its chromatic left hands accompaniment brings out a mood that I have seldom found in any other music. If you understand it, you will find a wonderful piece of music with an impatient tension that builds up and perfectly resolves in the end.