Friday Performance Pick – 63

Chopin, Étude in G Flat Major

What makes Chopin’s 27 études stand out from those of his predecessors?

piano-lesson
Kilburne, The Piano Lesson (1871)

Études (“studies”) had been written before Chopin’s time. Clementi and Czerny, for example, had written études in the 18th century designed to help piano students build dexterity and strength. Just as successful athletes follow a regimen of physical training, piano students put in a lot of time with études.

But something changed with Chopin’s etudes. The early 19th century ushered in many new developments in music. Royal patronage had largely disappeared. Music moved out of the court and into private homes. A philosophy of individualism took over, and with it the phenomenon of musical superstars was born. Paganini and Liszt would take virtuosity to new levels and gain popularity with private recitals.

Chopin was a big part of this change and a strong influence on Liszt. Although Chopin rarely performed outside the small-scale Parisian salons, he acquired considerable fame in his short life (1810-1849) and was acknowledged by the leading musicians of the time as a brilliant innovator who was creating a revolutionary style of playing.

Chopin’s études teach the techniques that would be required for performers of this revolutionary style. But they weren’t just for study. They were intended for concert performances. Chopin took the étude out of the solitude of the practice room and onto the stage. These short pieces (27 in all) are frequently heard in concert, often as encores. And while listeners may perceive the works’ value as teaching tools, that only seems to enhance the one’s appreciation of the artistry.