Description
The second study of Op. 25. Schumann described it as charming, dreamy and quiet, like the singing of a child in its sleep. A continuous stream of fast notes that never asks for force is a rare character for an étude. The nickname "The Bees" is a later addition, not Chopin's.
In F minor and cut time, the right hand plays unbroken triplet figuration while the left also moves in triplets — but the two group differently, so the sense of the beat floats. That overlay produces the piece's distinctive texture, one without sharp outlines. It lasts about a minute and a half.
The task is to keep fast motion at a soft dynamic. Raise the volume and the piece becomes easy to play and loses its character entirely. Keep the fingers moving in small motions close to the keys and do not let arm weight into them. Rather than counting the two hands into alignment, feel them as separate streams — that is what comes nearest to the floating quality the music asks for.
A collection of études by various composers, including Chopin's famous "Revolutionary" Étude, designed to build finger independence and expressive technique.
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Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
About the Composer
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Frederic Chopin was born in Poland and made his career in Paris, remaining unusual among great composers for writing almost exclusively for piano. He poured his longing for his homeland into mazurkas and polonaises, while his ballades and etudes combine poetic melody with harmonic innovation. This site includes the "Revolutionary" and other etudes, Ballades No. 1 and No. 4, nocturnes, and the Preludes, Op. 28.
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