CHOPIN Etude Op. 10 No.4

[Bosendorfer_214]

Hey!

I have been working on this etude for quite some time now and feel as if it is now done.  I was wondering if anyone had any interesting facts about this piece...maybe origins, or the thought that sparked its composition.

Nic

[ayahav]

I am going to record this piece between now and october... I just have to book the studio... This etude is meant to be played as the counterpart to op10 no.3 (which is in the relative major). The first four etudes are in pairs:
1. C major
2. A minor
3. E Major
4. C# minor.....
unfortunately that I all that I can think of now... i'll keep you posted.


Amit

[SHR]

This Etude seems reminiscent of Bach's prelude WTC Book 1 #14 - Chopin would have known that piece very well. I've practiced them for years and both are just "coming right" about the same time. The etude flows easiest when there is no feeling of tension in the fingers -  an almost "floppy" feeling. It has to be a Chopin masterpiece but is too often rushed - as is op 10 #12 which can easily sound confused and noisy, even when played by celebrated artists.

[JTownley]

 Please watch my rendition and give me your honest opinions. Should I re-record it?
https://www.JoeTownley.com

[chopinetta]

yes, re-record it. i watched it and it looks and sounds super horrible!!! i can't stand it!

i'm just kidding... it's superb Joe!!!! never mind re-recording it. If you feel the need to do so, okay, but just make sure the new one would be better than the first which is already very good!

https://www.joetownley.com

[SHR]

Joe - op 10 #4 would sound faster if there were more quiet passages ie contrast in sound or volume levels. Otherwise very good.

[JTownley]

 You're definitely right, SHR. It was like my 30th take and by that time I was so wiped out from the heat (95F) that I'd lost all power of dynamics control. It's definitely on my agenda as one of those pieces I really want to  conquor before they ship me off to that big concert hall in the sky.

[SHR]

I've studied and played this etude for years and I reckon the main problem is movement of the thumb, and also the hamstrung 4th finger. Sloooow practice is the answer (and zero tension) plus dynamic - the chords need to be crisp and some strong accents at the right time (anyway, you know all of this, but I'm comparing notes). I recently played the previous E maj study in a concert and even that is difficult - I discovered the best way to play the dim 7th passage was without lateral bending of wrists and instead to treat each leap like an arm movement. It worked for me at anyrate. #2 is not difficult but op10 #1 is, as another thread discusses, a real problem. Again, think WHY it's difficult; it's a study not in extension but contraction. The big question is how much finger movement must there be? I'm all for minimal finger travel (why waste time?); Chopin certainly knew how to start a book of technical studies!!

[sinadin]

if you find time, listen to this
pnm://users.verat.net/~eusebius/chop_etude.rm
you'll need real audio player. it is my interpretation of the etude.

[JTownley]

Bravo! I don't think even Horowitz could claim a finer performance. Why aren't you performing on world concert stages???
BTW, check here:
https://www.JoeTownley.com
for my own video performance of this etude, though it's nowhere near to your towering interpretation.

[JTownley]

 You mean to tell me I've been snookered?  
Oh, the shame and embarrassment of it all!! IS there no honor, even among musicians?
https://www.JoeTownley.com

[allchopin]

well i guess.... (whatever snookeered means). btw, you had a good REAL performance- it is a tough song.  How long did the whole process of learning the song take?

[JTownley]

Ummm......snookered is an American idiom which means to be fooled. Re my performance: I struggled w/ the etude in my teens, then took a 19 year layoff from the piano due to a finger injury. When I returned to the piano in 2000 I started working the piece up. At the time of the taping a year ago, that was the extent of my tempo. A year later, I can almost play it up to Yundi's tempo on a good day, w/ few mistakes. Capturing a good performance on video is a whole different ball game. If I get ambitious some day I might try.