Rediscovering Frédéric Chopin\u27s Trois Nouvelles Études

Frédéric Chopin’s Trois Nouvelles Études (Three New Études) were composed in 1839 at the request of François Fétis and Ignaz Moshceles for inclusion in a new and elaborate piano teaching method. While these new studies are less dramatic and brilliant than Chopin’s two previous sets of Études, op. 10 and 25, they are no less concerned with expressive musical qualities and they are of equal artistic merit to any of Chopin’s earlier Études. The monograph’s five chapters deal with specific aspects of these works. Chapter One traces the historical background of the Three Nouvelles Études. Chapter Two is devoted to a discussion of Chopin’s general compositional style and its reflection in the Three Nouvelles Études. The focus of Chapter Three is on Chopin’s general pianistic and pedagogical approach, followed by a harmonic analysis of each Étude in Chapter Four. The final chapter applies information from the preceding chapters to teaching strategies, from the initial presentation of the work through practice suggestions and performance interpretation. Chopin’s last three Études are sensitive, poetic expressions that are often overlooked by contemporary performers and pedagogues. These works address critically needed skills for developing pianists and can add great beauty and interest to recital programs