In the thread "Transcentendal Etudes" below, Andrew has mentioned about his experience listening to one of his teacher's students who was at his early twenties and could play Chopin Etude op.10/2 twenty times in a roll without feeling any stress at his hand muscles at all. Years later this pianist would be a Cliburn Prize winner!
I tried the same thing myself. And...no, nineteen is my limit. After that it really begins to get hard on my hand muscles. BTW I can only do this at MM 116-120 which is way slow than the full speed given (144 MM) at the score I have. At full speed (144 MM) I can play it only two or three times in a roll
at most.
It is also interesting that I tend to play faster as I go up the roll, perhaps in a hurry to finish it as soon as possible.
Anyway, it has been years that I had passed my twenties and have never thought of Cliburn fortunately.
It is an interesting experience that I can suggest you to try it yourself. Can be very enjoyable.
Rgds,
Hakki.

[ August 29, 2001: Message edited by: Hakki ]

=0)

I can only play it 3 times in a row Well, that's cleanly. I don't count the times after that because they aren't clean any more.

I may be wrong, but I don't think those MM markings are Chopin's. I'll see if I can find who added them. 120 is about how fast I play this one.


Ryan

For those of you that have no idea what they are talking about. Chopin Etude No.2 in A minor, Op.10 is an exercise( I know this is a bad word!) for developing the strength & agility of the 4th and 5th fingers of the RH. It is exceedingly difficult and fast.

Both Hakki and Ryan are very accomplished pianists against any standard. I have listened to Ryan a few times. To say I'm impressed is an understatement. For those of us hanging around here long enough we probably remember a long while back Hakki posted his sound strips of his rendition of Bach Keyboard Concerto No.1 in D minor. It was quite a polished performance.

My hats off to both of you guys! Today I can't even stumble through this Chopin Etude ONCE!

For those interested: if you try listening to a recording of this Etude with the sheet music opened before you you will understand what these two accomplished pianists are talking about. This Etude is certainly NO stroll in your quiet neighborhood after work!

Rgds,
AndrewG