Étude Op. 10, No. 8 in

F major F major is a major scale based on F, with the pitches F, G, A, B, C, D, and E. Its key signature has one flat.Music Theory'. (1950). United States: Standards and Curriculum Division, Training, Bureau of Naval Personnel. 28. Its relati ...

is a technical study composed by

Frédéric Chopin Frédéric François Chopin (born Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin; 1 March 181017 October 1849) was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic period who wrote primarily for Piano solo, solo piano. He has maintained worldwide renown ...

. This work follows on from No. 7 as being primarily another work concerned with

counterpoint In music theory, counterpoint is the relationship of two or more simultaneous musical lines (also called voices) that are harmonically dependent on each other, yet independent in rhythm and melodic contour. The term originates from the Latin ...

. In this case, however, the principal melody is in the left hand, the secondary being embedded in the

arpeggio An arpeggio () is a type of Chord (music), chord in which the Musical note, notes that compose a chord are individually sounded in a progressive rising or descending order. Arpeggios on keyboard instruments may be called rolled chords. Arpe ...

s of the right hand. As with many of the études, the work is divided into three sections – bars 1–28, 29–60 and 61–95. The first section (bars 1–28) features a right-hand figuration that is straightforward with the accent falling always on the first note of each group of four semiquavers throughout the work. The main difficulty is that they must be played forte and legato at speed, ascending and descending sequentially over the keyboard. Due to the obligation to sustain the left-hand melody somehow whilst still keeping the right hand's figure clear, this presents a great difficulty. The central section (bars 29–60) features elaborations on the original figuration. The

D minor D minor is a minor scale based on D, consisting of the pitches D, E, F, G, A, B, and C. Its key signature has one flat. Its relative major is F major and its parallel major is D major. The D natural minor scale is: Changes needed ...

lasts only 7 bars before undergoing an extended series of modulations right through to bar 60 – the return to the main theme. This section contains a further exercise in hands moving in opposite and complementary directions (bars 42–47 and 53–60) – this builds on the exercises in No. 4. As with the opening section, the accent always falls on the first note of each group of four semiquavers. The final section (bars 61–95) is a brief restatement of the opening theme with the transition into the coda beginning at bar 71. The

coda Coda or CODA may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * Movie coda, a post-credits scene * ''Coda'' (1987 film), an Australian horror film about a serial killer, made for television *''Coda'', a 2017 American experimental film from Na ...

proper begins at bar 75. Bar 89 onwards contains parallel motion in both hands played forte and leading directly into the final arpeggiated cadences played

fortissimo In music, the dynamics of a piece are the variation in loudness between notes or phrases. Dynamics are indicated by specific musical notation, often in some detail. However, dynamics markings require interpretation by the performer depending on ...

External links

Analysis of Chopin Etudes
a
Chopin: the poet of the piano
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''Op. 10, No. 8''
played by

Alfred Cortot Alfred Denis Cortot ( , ; 26 September 187715 June 1962) was a French pianist, conductor, and teacher who was one of the most renowned classical musicians of the 20th century. A pianist of massive repertory, he was especially valued for his po ...

''Op. 10, No. 8''
played by

Claudio Arrau Claudio Arrau León (; February 6, 1903June 9, 1991) was a Chilean and American pianist known for his interpretations of a vast repertoire spanning the baroque music, baroque to 20th-century classical music, 20th-century composers, especially B ...

''Op. 10, No. 8''
played by

Wilhelm Backhaus Wilhelm Backhaus ('Bachaus' on some record labels) (26 March 1884 – 5 July 1969) was a German pianist and pedagogue. He was particularly well known for his interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin and Brahms. He was also much adm ...

''Op. 10, No. 8''
played by

Vladimir Horowitz Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz (November 5, 1989) was a Russian and American pianist. Considered one of the greatest pianists of all time, he was known for his virtuoso technique, timbre, and the public excitement engendered by his playing. Life ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Etude Op. 10, No. 8 (Chopin) Études op. 10 (Chopin) 1830 compositions Compositions in F major