Chopin Étude Op. 10, No. 3
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| Étude No. 3 | |
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| Composition by Frédéric Chopin | |
| Alternate name: | Tristesse, L'intimité |
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| Form: | Étude |
| Key/Time signature: | E major, 2/4 |
| Tempo | Lento ma non troppo |
| Date of composition: | 1832 |
| Composition number: | Op. 10 No. 3 |
Étude Op.10 No.3 in E Major is a solo piano work composed by Frédéric Chopin. This is a slow cantabile study, in which the right hand must maintain a singing tone in the melody whilst contributing to the accompaniment.
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[edit] Significance
This étude is different from most of Chopin's, in its tempo. It marks a signficant departure from the technical virtuosity required in études before Chopin's time. It concentrates on melodious phrasing and legato ambience of performance more than technical skill. It has been classified as a Tone Poem for piano by some critics, and is highly regarded as a quality manifestation of Chopin's love for Romantic Opera and Poland, where he was born. During a lesson with one of his pupils, Adolf Gutmann, he began weeping and cried, "Oh, my homeland!".[1] Chopin was said to have also noted this piece as the most intimate piece he has ever composed, stating that "In all my life I have never again been able to find such a beautiful melody."[2]
[edit] Structure
This étude is very straightforward, with one theme, a variation, and a final reiteration of the theme. The first theme consists of the right hand's playing the slow melody along with Alberti bass figures. The left hand makes graceful leaps and sets the chordal foundation, leaving no ambiguity in the theme. A study on 115 commercially available recordings revealed that there is no 'correct' method of execution for this section in particular, as all recordings had some significant difference in tempo, acceleration, and timing [3]. Chopin disliked excessive sentiments expressed during performance, as it tore the musical structure he initially intended. Chopin also eschewed a beleaguering tempo with distinct pulse since it destroyed the significance of the 2/4 time signature.[4]
The variation in the middle is where the étude becomes technically difficult to play. Although it stays chromatically centered around E Major, the passage, a long sequence of diminished seventh chords, is littered with accidentals and irregular rhythms that make it difficult. The torrential variation eventually coalesces into the gentle rhythm of the first theme, and the Coda begins with a final restatement of the first theme.
- Étude No.3 (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- Martha Goldstein playing on an Erard (1851) - 4534KB
- Problems listening to the file? See media help.
[edit] In culture
- This Etude was the basis for a popular version of "La Chanson de l'adieu" (1946, sung by Jules Jacob using Chopin's music instead of the original one by Francesco Paolo Tosti).
- "Lemon Incest" (1984, adapted by Serge Gainsbourg and his daughter).
- The melody was the basis of the popular song "Tristesse" (also known by its opening line "So Deep is the Night"), by Jean Marietti, Andre Viand and Sonny Miller.
[edit] Notes
- ^ allmusic composition description. February 2, 2007.
- ^ Palmer, W: Chopin Etudes for the Piano, page 2. Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., 1992
- ^ I. Quantitative analysis of pianists' timing in the initial measures of Chopin's Etude in E major. Abstract. February 5, 2007.
- ^ Chopin's Grande Etudes. February 5, 2007.
[edit] External Links
List of compositions by Frédéric Chopin • About the Chopin Études |
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