Chopin: Winter Wind [Anna Fedorova]

Ukrainian classical pianist Anna Fedorova plays Étude Op. 25, No. 11 in A minor, a solo piano technical study composed by Frédéric Chopin in 1836. The piece is often referred to as the Winter Wind in English.

• Camera: Kamil Klapsa, Aleksandra Wróbel, Natalia Zahora, Mateusz Zahora
• Editing: Kamil Klapsa
• Corrections: Mateusz Papiernik
• Sound Engineer: Grigoriy Mokritskiy
• Camera Equipment: Krzysztof Paczyński, Mateusz Zahora
• Producer: Mateusz Zahora
• annafedorova.com

Frédéric Chopin’s Étude Op. 25, No. 11, the “Winter Wind”

Frédéric Chopin’s Étude Op. 25, No. 11, often called the “Winter Wind,” is one of the most technically demanding and emotionally powerful pieces in the piano repertoire. Composed in 1836, this étude belongs to Chopin’s second set of études, which were written to both challenge and develop the pianist’s technique while maintaining a high degree of musical expression. The “Winter Wind” is renowned for its tempestuous character, demanding rapid finger movements, immense dexterity, and exceptional control.

The piece opens with a solemn, foreboding melody in the left hand, setting the stage for the storm that is about to unfold. As the right hand enters, it unleashes a relentless flurry of rapid sixteenth notes that sweep across the keyboard in a manner that evokes the imagery of a fierce, howling winter wind. The continuous flow of these notes creates a sense of urgency and turbulence, capturing the raw power of nature, while the left hand maintains a more structured, lyrical accompaniment. Despite the technical challenges, the piece is more than just a display of virtuosity. It demands the performer to balance the stormy right hand with the underlying, expressive musical phrases, which convey a deep sense of melancholy and drama.

The difficulty of the “Winter Wind” lies not only in the speed and accuracy required but also in the ability to sustain musicality amidst the technical complexity. Chopin’s genius in this étude is evident in the way he weaves technical exercises into an emotionally gripping narrative. The result is a piece that feels like a vivid journey through a winter storm, with moments of calm and reflection interspersed within the furious gusts of notes, creating a breathtaking and unforgettable experience for both performer and listener.

Sources

• Étude Op. 25, No. 11 (Chopin) on Wikipedia
• Chopin: Étude in A Minor, Op. 25, No. 11 (“Winter Wind”) on the Piano Blog website