Etude, Op.11 No.4

Description

Rimsky-Korsakov is known for his orchestral works and operas, and left only a handful of solo piano pieces. Op. 11 is a set of four short pieces, Impromptu, Novelette, Scherzino and Etude, and this Etude is the last of them. The set is a valuable chance to see how a composer famed as a master of orchestration approached the piano.

It is in D-flat major and 3/4. It lasts just under three minutes with 967 notes, about five and a half a second on average. The range runs over four octaves, from D-flat 2 to F6, the narrowest of the four pieces in Op. 11. After the sharp keys of the three preceding pieces, B major, B minor and A major, the set closes in D-flat major with five flats.

It is an intermediate piece. As the title Etude suggests, it carries technical challenges, but it also asks for melody and accompaniment to be clearly distinguished. D-flat major, rich in black keys, lets the hand settle naturally, yet moving between black and white keys makes it harder to keep the notes even. Lower the playback speed, check the roles of the hands with the hand colours, and repeat difficult spots with A-B looping. Every note lies within a 61-key keyboard.

A collection of études by various composers, including Chopin's famous "Revolutionary" Étude, designed to build finger independence and expressive technique.