Frédéric Chopin
Etude
in A Minor, Op. 25 No. 11
In this awe-inspiring Etude, the complex right-hand patterns turns into an unrelenting storm of agitated torment raging up and down the piano.
Year: 1836
Period: Early Romantic
Piano score: PS Urtext 
Audiovisual Study Tool
Winter Wind
This Etude, often known by its nickname “Winter Wind”, stands as one of the most awe-inspiring manifestations of Chopin’s ability to turn a mere technical exercise into a tone poem of astonishing emotional power. The right hand’s motorically complex pattern is turned into an unrelenting storm of agitated torment raging up and down the piano, only kept in check by the march-like left hand’s imperious proclamations. Often considered one of the more difficult Etudes of Op. 25, the student is not only challenged with mastering the right hand’s unrelenting stream of notes but also with employing a wide variety of tone colors to keep the continuous cascades of sound from becoming monotonous. Once conquered, the electrical vitality of the composition is sure to keep listeners on the edge of their seats, from the calm-before-the-storm of the opening chorale to the overwhelming thunder of the final manifestation of the theme, finished with a lightning-flash scale.Background
The Etudes Op. 25 were first published in 1837 in France, Germany, and England. They continue the revolutionizing of the Etude genre Chopin began with his Etudes Op. 10, adding a slew of new technical challenges, such as sixths, octaves, rapid trills and scales in thirds, leaps, and other inventive patterns that had not yet been dealt with in the previous Opus.Forum posts about this piece:
What is the secret about the hands of the pianist Aidan Mikdad? by majd.bousaad
Hello everyone! Nearly 4 years ago, I was playing on the grand piano in the train station of Amsterdam. I hated that piano because it was old, a key wasn't functioning, and it was so hard to play...
Chopin vs Chopin by lucasejp
Between Chopin's Etude Op.25 no.11 'Winter Wind' and his ballade no.1 in G minor Op.23, what did people who have played both found harder? Personally, I found the Etude harder as the ballade has...
Piece's difficulty by nicorubio09
What do you guys think it's harder, Rachmaninoff's op. 23 n. 2 or Chopin's op. 25 n....
"WINTER WIND" Etude by bubblessomewhere
This etude has very many repeats for a just 4 minutes long etude..and almost all the repeats come in the same dynamic (f to ff) Do you have any tips how to play NOT...
winter wind meme by andhow04
does anyone have this meme of the winter wind etude. it is the sheet music, shows the first four bars, and the fifth all the notes fall into a pile at the bottom of the staff. googled it but only found the bird...
Are composers always right about their own music? by klavieronin
How do people feel about deviating from the score? Do you think it is possible for a performer to interpret a piece of music in a way that is artistically justified but is different to what is written in the...
Chopin Winter Wind - Hands are cramping by geoffhuang
My hands are cramping when I play the song full speed by the time I get to the e minor part (similar to the beginning, but in e minor instead of a minor). Do you guys think this is a fingering problem? Or is...
Chopin Etude Op 24 No 11 by keenan333
Hi all, I'm new to this forum but writing about a common topic: the way-to-hard-for-me "aspiration" piece. I've fallen in love with a difficult Chopin Etude: Op 24 No...
Chopin etude op 25. #11 by nastassja
Hi everybody ! I just started working on Chopin's etude op. 25 #11, and I am wondering whether the sixteenth notes on the left hand could actually be synchronized with those played with the...
Practicing Chopin's Winter Wind Etude by darkpisces
I have started learning this piece and within the same hour pretty much had the first chromatic section with the right hand memorized and I played through it slowly. It has been a few days and I am faster at it...
What happens if I don't follow the fingerings? by dddddmajor
Hi, I've been practicing Winter wind for a few weeks to play it on right tempo and figured that the fingerings which I prefer, 5-2-4-1-3-2-5-2-4-2-5-1-4-2... were slightly wrong compared to the...
Preparing audition program by kurzya
Hello all, In about 10 months time I plan on auditioning for a music school. I need to have prepared a program of two contrasting pieces, and 3-4 short items of technical work (studies, scales, ect). My...
Chopin etude op.25 n.11 Arpeggio by konsta91
Hi everyone. I have one technical question for you. How would you study, or how did you study, bar 17-18 arpeggios, in particular the finger crossing 4-1 on G and B flat (moving up), in order to...
Chopin's etude op. 25 no. 11 by ponken
I am starting to practise this piece. It's maybe a little too difficult for me but I love it too much to not attemp it. I would like some adviced on what's important to think of in this piece and how...
A VERY VERY VERY big problem. by loonbohol
Sorry for hiding in shame. I have a problem , now that I cannot theoretically play Chopin Etude (Winter Wind). I was practicing it for almost 6 months and I am almost 3/4 of the whole...
Winter wind..... Impossible + Frederick Chopin competition by loonbohol
As I type this letters in the forum... My hands seems to be lifted to the air... We are talking about winter wind etude or Chopin Etude Op.25 no.11 It is very complicated and it is hurting...
The Winterwind Scale by opus10no2
Which is the best fingering? and what kind of sound does each achieve? (rh) 1231234 is standard 1234123 makes micro-accents on the E which may be more pleasing to the ear 4545345...
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Etude in A Minor, Op. 25 No. 11 by the composer Frédéric Chopin who lived from 1810 to 1849.
The piece was published in 1836 and is included in Chopin's Etudes.