Études

Valentina Lisitsa is a remarkable pianist, with consistent YouTube video views reaching over 75 million and almost 150,000 subscribers. Following her recent well-received Michael Nyman recording Chasing Pianos, she now turns her attention to the Romantic Era and the Études of Chopin and Schumann. This roller coaster release of virtuosic, technically challenging and innovative pieces sums up Valentina as an artist. Études - Studies - are designed to provide material for perfecting particular pianistic techniques, and are often considerably difficult. This form emerged in the early 19th century with the rapidly growing popularity of the piano a trend we are seeing again today. Chopin s Études were the first to be seen as true piano works rather than merely studies. Quickly becoming a regular part of the concert repertoire, these are some of the most challenging and evocative works for piano. Schumann s Symphonic Etudes, believed to be some of the most difficult music for the piano are also featured on this release, including five additional movements restored by Brahms in 1890 after Schumann s death. No other artist on a major label has offered this exciting combination, totaling 85 minutes of music on one CD. The digital version includes Chopin s Trois Nouvelles Études (and therefore Chopin s complete Études), and the Schumann Symphonic Etudes with all their optional repeats.