Op. 10, No. 12

(Opus, a separate composition or set of compositions by a particular composer, usually ordered by date of publication.)

Chopin wrote two sets of Etudes, Opus 12 and Opus 25. There are 12 in each set. Chopin was born in March of 1810, and he wrote the first set between 1829 and 1832, which means he was no more than 22 years old when the last one was published, and some of them were written while he was still a teenager. The next set, Opus 25, were published about four years later. None of the Etudes were given names by Chopin. The names we know today were added by many people later, but they are useful when talking about them. Many people – and this includes me – can’t remember the individual numbers.

Op. 10, No. 12 is the last one in the first set, and without doubt is one of the most famous and popular piano compositions ever written. Thousands of gifted piano students are still learning it for the first time right now, this year. Chopin is one of the best examples of Romantic composers, and Romantic music has never gone out of style, as anyone who has played video games knows very well. Kissen probably plays this Etude as well as it can be played.