Étude in C major, Op. 10 No. 1

History

The Paris Chopin Society places the twelve-study Op. 10 collection between 1829 to 1832 and records its first publication in 1833. A later Richault print, catalogued around 1860, names Franz Liszt as the set's dedicatee. The collection range does not give each study an independent completion year.

Sources

• frederic-chopin.com
• repozytorium.nifc.pl

What to listen for

1. 1

   Arpeggio arches span the registers

   Broad rising and falling arches unfold above long bass octaves. Hear the full shape of each sweep without losing the sustained foundation.

2. 2

   Chromatic changes interrupt the broad motion

   Changing arpeggios and stronger responses include brief upper rests. Hear those interruptions within the continuing lower sound.

3. 3

   Changing arches narrow toward the ending

   The later arpeggios approach the last supported motion. Follow how their direction changes as the ending comes nearer.

4. 4

   The bass remains after the upper sweep

   The final upper sweep stops, but the low C octave remains held. Listen to that sounding foundation rather than reading the upper rest as complete silence.

How to practise it

Prepare the expanding upper arpeggio while the lower octave changes at its own pace.

1. Locate the first C/G/C destinations slowly, then connect through E at a tempo that allows each move to relax.
2. Count the held C octave while singing the upper pattern; practise the later F/F-sharp/G changes separately.

How hard is it

About this piece

Collection

The study studio

Licence

Public Domain

Source

mutopiaproject.org

More by Frédéric Chopin

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2. 2Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
3. 3Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro