Études

An étude is a musical composition intended to be a solo ‘study’ of a performance technique. These are practice pieces designed to teach a particular musical technique, although many classical Études are now considered to be concert pieces and are performed as such.

In this post we take a look at Chopin’s Études, Op. 10, 1-12. These are twelve pieces that each expound on a different musical technique such as trills, fast tuplets, and various fingering techniques. The attached score shows some of those fingerings as well.

This recording was made using an exceptionally large, sampled Steinway Model D Concert Grand Piano, via Steinberg’s “The Grand 3” VST. “The Grand” is unbelievably detailed and has up to 20 (count ’em) velocity layers and is very life-like. The samples come from Steinberg’s parent company, Yamaha, and they also provide a Bösendorfer 290 Concert Grand, which is arguably even better than the Steinway Grand.

Enjoy.