Music TheoryPrint

Frédéric Chopin

Trois nouvelles études

Frédéric Chopin wrote his Trois nouvelles études ("three new studies") for piano in 1839, as a contribution to "Méthode des méthodes de piano", a piano instruction book by Ignaz Moscheles and

Études#

The first of the Trois nouvelles études is an intimate piece in F minor. It develops students’ facility with 3-on-4 polyrhythms. # The key of the second étude is A major sits atop a series of chords in the right hand with a simple bass in the left hand. It develops students’ facility with 2-on-3 polyrhythms. # The third and last étude, in D major, is the most technically challenging in this collection. It develops independence of voices and articulation in the right hand, with the upper melodic line quite legato over a staccato alto accompaniment. Some of the reaches required between the alto and soprano lines may be difficult for pianists with smaller hands.#

  • Chopin, Trois Nouvelles Études, B. 130 Sheet music (with introductory note) at Musopen
  • Details, Carnegie Hall Data Lab
  • No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 played by Alfred Cortot on YouTube
  • No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 played by Claudio Arrau on YouTube
Composer
Frédéric Chopin