Chopin Étude Op. 25, No. 12

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Étude Op. 25, No. 12
Image:Etude 25 12.png
Composition by Frédéric Chopin
Alternate name: Ocean
Form: Étude
Key/Time signature: C minor, 2/2
Tempo Allegro
Date of composition: 1836
Composition number: Op. 25 No. 12

Étude Op. 25, No. 12 is the last of Frédéric Chopin's formal studies for the Piano, opus 25, dedicated to Madame the Countess d'Agoult. The étude was first published in 1837 in French, German, and English. In the first French edition the time signature is 4/4, but most modern editions regard the manuscript and German editions, which indicate cut time.[1] This work, also known as the "Ocean", is a series of rising and falling arpeggios in various Chord progressions from C minor.

[edit] Structure

The entire work, except the coda, consists wholly of semiquaver arpeggios, spanning large lengths of the keyboard in the space of one bar. The initial theme is expounded upon and changes to many different keys. The climax resolves to C major, and the piece ends in a broad arpeggio crossing five octaves.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Palmer, W: Chopin Etudes for the Piano, page 126. Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., 1992