
Etude, Op. 10 No. 1/ Chopin etude / waterfall etude / etude op. 10 no 1 / Etude in C major / etude / Chopin / The first etude of the Op. 10 set opens with a bright, broad arpeggiated theme that usually spans about three or four octaves in a single measure. Many naïve pianists (including, at one point, the author) have been fooled into thinking that this is one of the simpler etudes, for which the extremely simplistic left hand cannot completely be pardoned for. After all, what could possibly be tricky about simple arpeggios, especially for those with large hands? Chopin could tell you. Upon closer examination, this pieces arpeggios are anything but simplistic. The stretches often cover a tenth over three notes, and this span is inaccessible to all but the largest hands. Therefore, proper fingering and wrist control is a necessity for executing this etude with the smooth legato that Chopin doubtless intended. Even so, it is an enormously taxing piece that intimidated even the legendary Vladimir Horowitz; at some parts, the suggested fingering is nearly impossible at full speed. The programmatic title Waterfall most likely comes from the right hand arpeggios that cascade up and down the piano, as well as the firm and incessant nature of the piece. Analysis from www.ourchopin.com
Chopin
Etude
Op.
10
No.
in
major
Waterfall
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