The Winter Wind (Chopin Etude Op 25 No 11)

As the warmth of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays give way to the bitter cold of a January day, what better time to focus for a moment on a Chopin Etude given the title "The Winter Wind?" The first four bars begin rather simply very carefully stating a melodic theme. Interestingly enough, those four bars were not originally included, but Chopin was persuaded to include that introduction later by a friend.  From that point, the piece becomes much more difficult. The descending right-hand patterns create a major challenge to the performer as does the fact that there are also two melodies in the right hand. A top melody that creates the chromatic pattern of the first and third notes in the pattern and the second and fourth notes create a counter-melody. Add to the acrobatic right-hand work a less challenging left-hand part but also one that contains some rather large jumps. In this recording, Maurizo Pollini brings out the technique while at the same time brings the passion and musical phrasing that Chopin's etudes require. Enjoy the "Winter Wind" on a cold and blustery January day.