F. Chopin - Etude Op. 25 no. 1 in A flat major - analysis - Greg Niemczuk's lecture

[@cocospops9351]

This piece is one of the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes it is!

[@gianniusai4653]

❤❤My old teacher "Orio Bucellato" told me exactly the same thing. (35 years ago)You can play "legato" : 1) first of all if you "think" legato; 2) second... if you think to play with Your elbow Exactly as a violinist uses his arch

[@gregniemczuk]

@@gianniusai4653 great teacher!

[@BerkSayin]

Kendini değil, müziğini abart.

[@dakotapdx]

Greg, your videos are the best! I love your enthusiasm about the music and your insights into interpretation. Beyond that, I am blown away that you a) do these in 1 continuous take (yes!) and b) in a language that isn't your native one. Hats off, sir. So glad I found your channel.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much!! There are about 160 videos like this one about each Chopin's piece! Everything was done in 2020 and 2021 - lock down years...... I'm so happy you like it!

[@dakotapdx]

Making lemonade with those years, well done! I've watched many of your videos for pieces I'm learning and find them very useful.

[@PhilHarrison762]

As you know, I've watched all 124+ videos in the series - and this gets my gold medal for the best of them all. Your absolute enthusiasm for this beautiful piece shines through, your sound (B-flat excluded, but that's not your fault! ) is exquisite; and your humour adds a dimension to the video. So much so that I've watched it 4 times! (silver medal goes to Op 37 #2). Imagine hearing Chopin play it 🤩🤩🤩 Robert Schumann must have been mesmerised! ("bewitched").

[@gregniemczuk]

I love this comment Phil! It's amazing that you've watched almost all my videos. Impressive! I love this Etude and I'm happy it showed! You made me smile so much!

[@iaquil]

My father used to play this etude very often since I was little. I have almost 50 by now, and my dad is long gone. However, I think he mastered it very well. And this exact explanation given by Greg was exactly the same my dad gave to me so long ago. And it is my favourite piece of music of all time and ages. And having being listened to it within a small room with my dad playing it for me, was magical. A huge remembrance of the past. i really hope I could play it some day.

[@김건량-v1x]

I've heard this etude before but I just thought it was another beautiful piece of Chopin. But now I heard your playing makes my eyes teary. Thank you so much for the beautiful play and deep analysis.

[@gregniemczuk]

Good to know! I'm so happy to read your comment!

[@Lavovoyaye]

Awesome tutorial, a musician who plays with soul and heart, so generous to share your deep dive analysis, immensely helpful

[@dantevip]

I love to play this piece, always had deep feelings in some determinate moments and you just hit the nail on the head man, it's adorable how people like you can express all the emotional feelings we deeply have towards this chopin masterpiece. thank you very very much

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!

[@59102225893]

Greetings friom Brazil! As I commented in your op. 25-5 video Chopin was a genius. Just imagine what other wonderful and genial pieces could be created if he had had a long life like Liszt. People of Poland are lucky and should be very proud of him.

[@gregniemczuk]

We are!! You are correct. It's so sad he didn't live longer and composer more music!!!

[@dhruvramnarayan3996]

I have just started my study of Chopin's Etudes with my teacher - and am learning Op. 10 No.3 as well as Op.25 No.1 at the moment. These videos have added another dimension of context and guidance on interpretation to my playing! Thank you very much for the analysis. Dziękuję, maestro!

[@joannawronska4100]

SO WONDERFUL AS ALWAYS, MAESTRO!!!!! Thank you for one of my favourite Chopin's Etudes in an excellent rendition and for your great analysis/tutorial, congratulations for over 6.000 subscribers to your channel, you deserve more and more..., again my best regards, have a nice evening. Joanna

[@callmeqt1269]

As I see it, music really is a language. In short, I feel like it’s universality and the consistency of emotions it delivers evidence this theory. Following that theory, I believe Chopin was the most fluent “speaker” of music we have had in the history of humanity - and I so deeply appreciate Greg for offering us such striking “translations” of the language we can follow but never entirely converse in on our own.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much for writing this

[@encinagarcia4967]

Mis felicitaciones por este video tan maravilloso.Nunca había aprendido tanto !y nunca nadie me había motivado tanto para seguir estudiando. Millones de gracias maestro,OLÉ 👏👏👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@gregniemczuk]

Que bueno saberlo! Me alegro mucho. Gracias!!!! Feliz Navidad!

[@heresy7266]

Fantastic performance, your interpretation of any musical piece sits perfectly in my taste, and your analysis videos gives me plenty of inspiration to make better and more demanding music.

[@gregniemczuk]

Wonderful!!! That's exactly what I wanted

[@yjko1028]

Can't stop repeating your performance of this Etude in the beginning. Nobody will fail to notice that you have so much love, so much passion in Chopin and his music. That's what I believe clearly distinguishes you from other pianists sharing their own tutorials of Chopin. I can confidently say that your rendition of the Etude is absolutely one of the best that I have ever heard. Thank you.

[@gregniemczuk]

Awwwwww thank you so much! Your comment touches me deeply. I really appreciate that!

[@ll1773]

Thanks Greg! Your videos are best analysis I could find online. I watched numerous Chopin videos from you when starting out new pieces. They were all super helpful. Love your energy and insights, and I’m touched by your enthusiasm. Downloaded this video so I could come back watch again. Thanks so much for your contribution. ❤

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much! I put all my heart to those videos!!!!

[@SheBytes2]

I enjoyed this so much! And I have learned more about this etude than i ever understood while teaching myself to play it, so I'll be watching again. I thank you 💕

[@gregniemczuk]

Wonderful!!! Thank you for the comment

[@Tiojuan-mx]

Awesome video! Thanks for the explanations and your enthusiasm

[@FituElrico]

Greg Niemczuk, congratulations on the analysis you do on this Etude , you are the only one that shows the real importance of achieving this etude with the correct technique and phrasing , impossible to play this etude well if you don't do what you say, " the left hand notes have to be very legato and you can't listen to them, they have to be almost imperceptible,...great ,you are a great pianist...love your passion saying everything.......I bet you must have somebody who loves you very passionately, It couldn't' be different..you radiate a heart full of love..

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much for this comment!!!! Yes... I'm lucky to experience this feeling in real life ❤️

[@anderslindblad521]

Thank you for a wonderful and inspiring analysis!

[@gianniusai4653]

The world is full of pianist pianists. However very few are musician pianists as you are. Nice to have met you.❤

[@gregniemczuk]

I really appreciate your words! Thank you.

[@vettejakes]

So beautifully played. Love your expression. This is on my wish list

[@kathyraygoza3299]

The expression of this piece always stirs sternum . I swear it vibrates as I listen to pieces that effect me emotionally. I accidentlyfoud a presentation of this piece played by 25 different pianists and if you listen carefully many times you can hear how the notes are the same and yet you hear the nuances of each pianist. AMAZING!

[@rachmaninovatan]

Beautiful playing ..n clear explanation 💜💜💜💜

[@poplife123]

The piece reminds me of babbling brook with two lovers gently whispering undying love and commitment...... transcendental beauty ❤

[@gregniemczuk]

Beautiful description, thank you!

[@denaro572]

Great as always! You man, are such a passionate musician! The way you talk about Chopins music makes me wanna listen everytime I stumble upon one of your videos! :)

[@Felix_Li_En]

Thank you! Just come back to practice this wonderful etude recently, and it's so good to see your suggestions, demonstrations and interpretations here!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks for watching! Good luck with this!

[@rachmaninovatan]

Having skipped some of your lessons.... wow 'the illusion of legato'.... 'expression of love'... amazing... thanks... very valuable

[@yantihani]

thank you. it went straight to my heart and i have tears in my eyes.

[@gregniemczuk]

Chopin's fault! Thank you so much!

[@kathyraygoza3299]

I read somewhere that Chopin wrote this as an exercise to help a student strengthen the little right finger. Many listeners don't realize the melody is played by the little finger. Schumann is another of my favorites. What a shame the turne his life took but while he composed what energy and beauty.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you for this comment!

[@danielliang9266]

I'm very glad I stumbled across this video. I decided to learn this piece starting this week, but my technique is horrendous and I didn't practice arpeggios often (I know, I know, shame on me) so I'm struggling and was thinking of switching to a simpler etude. I love the piece though, so beautiful, so lyrical, and this video has convinced me to stick to this piece. After all, improving technique is what etudes are for, and I get to learn such beautiful, expressive music as a bonus! Thank you for your passion in this video, it really is contagious. I hope you continue to play and teach for a long time.

[@hsw5878]

Thanks for another inspirational discussion!

[@wardpiano1993]

Such a brilliant person

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you

[@johnsnead2413]

I just found your YT channel and it is absolutely stunning!!!!! There are so many remarkably ingenious composers but by far Frederic Chopin is my favorite!!! This Etude (aka Aeolian Harp), in particular, is simple AND complex at the very same time. How one cannot fall in love with Chopin, et. al., is a mystery to me. Your playing makes my heart happy!!!!!! Many thanks, maestro!!!!!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you John!!! Welcome!! You can sink into my musical world 🌎. There are more than 170 videos like this one!!! Enjoy!

[@annacerbara4257]

beautiful execution of this beautiful study, and beautiful lesson: I particularly liked the idea that each note of the melody should be played differently from the previous one: it is, I think, a very useful (and also pleasant because the melody is beautiful) exercise of dynamics even for those who don't want or can't bring the study to a complete form. 🎼🌻

[@hleung2947]

I prepare starting play this piece. Thanks your teaching, l can really feeling your idea,🙏

[@esauponce9759]

Thank you so much for this! The poetic part of the analysis was extremely helpful and beautiful. ❤

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you Esaú. I'm happy you liked it!

[@BrianBeker]

Wonderful and as charming as enlightening. Thank you.

[@christopherzimmer]

The “pencil legato” was genius! Very helpful- truly an epiphany regarding what matters!

[@sevenheart7353]

I love this piece so much

[@lourdesdahl6728]

Hi Greg,yes definitely Chopin is thinking about taking us far and away in this magnificent Etude,it is amazing how easy we take his music for granted,sometimes because we don pay too much attention of what he is trying to explain,but it is only for a moment in time that he makes us dream,telling to all the girls that he is in love with us,and then in his music he goes away,but this is why in his music is so fascinated it just never ends,.

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes!!!

[@BrianBeker]

What a GREAT video. One of the best!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!

[@pnielloj.m3265]

Very good and helpful analysis sir

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much!

[@JanosKmetyko]

bravissimo.!!!!!!!!!!!

[@massipicun8658]

meraviglioso lavoro. immagini e sensazioni uniche.. suggerite da Chopin Grande

[@gregniemczuk]

Grazie!

[@rajx82]

Wow amazing pianist and teacher, wonderful! You sound better on an upright than I do on a grand!

[@gregniemczuk]

It's not upright! It's a baby grand!

[@rajx82]

@@gregniemczuk ahh I see!

[@chopin1962]

Fantastic, fun, interesting and knowledge rich video!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!!!

[@anapaulamiqueletti6636]

Muito obrigada, professor Greg Niemczuk, por todo o conhecimento compartilhado!!! Assisti a todos os vídeos do opus 10 e estou absolutamente encantada com as suas análises e performances. Maravilhoso! Aprendi muito. Um grande abraço, aqui do Brasil!!!

[@gregniemczuk]

Ana Paula, muito Obrigado!!!! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@jjuuaannii1]

This channel is a great discovery!!

[@gregniemczuk]

Lovely! Welcome!

[@alexandercarroll9707]

I love your content, please do analysis of other composers you know now that you have completed Chopin

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes yes yes!!!! I want to do it!! But I'm also a concert pianist so now I have more concerts than in the years 2020-2022... But I'll try!!

[@alexandercarroll9707]

@@gregniemczukwhat composers would you cover if you did?

[@gregniemczuk]

@@alexandercarroll9707 Beethoven Sonatas and Mozart Sonatas, Bach is my biggest dream.... And than Schubert, Schumann....

[@12B-m6l]

fantastic!

[@humblemai2211]

Love you much....my best teacher

[@danielnikolopoulos7703]

Please make a video on how to practice this etude!

[@gregniemczuk]

I will!!

[@kiralighto2573]

Wonderful performance I finde it really hard to read this piece could you make a video about how you read music?

[@gregniemczuk]

Ok I'll try

[@axelriley3100]

Hello Greg! Wonderful analysis. What are your suggestions for practicing this piece? I know for example, you need to maintain a circular motion with wrist and elbow in order to play this in a fluent and relaxed manner. How do you suggest practicing this, and also things such as voicing the melody distinctly? Practicing phrasing? Lots of love from Sweden!

[@gregniemczuk]

Hi Alex!! Ohhh,,,,, that's a long topic. I'm actually in the process of making tutorial of how to practice all the Chopin Etudes. I made 7 episodes, and I'll be continuing that when the time lets me...so if you'll be a bit patient, I might publish the video about practicing this etude soon...

[@nathanmancarella5355]

Do you know if Chopin knew of or played the Schubert impromptu no.3? I find it similar in a way

[@gregniemczuk]

No.... Because this Impromptu was published in 1857!!! Chopin died in 1849.... I also can't believe it.....

[@wobblyorbee279]

12:15

[@chopinfanclub6672]

Greg I have come back to ask a question. My forearms hurt really bad when trying to play this piece. My hands are honestly kind of small for a 20 year old male. I don’t know the biology of the arm well but the continuous moving back and forth really works the forearm muscles. I searched online but people are only complaining about finger pain which I do not feel. Do I just have weak forearms? I must be too tense but I cannot reach the keys if I don’t flex my hand as far apart as possible. I can last for about 1 page before the quality of my play goes into the trash because of muscle fatigue. Am I alone in this or do I just have to improve technique? Other videos emphasize the circular motion of the entire arm and maybe that’s the trick.

[@gregniemczuk]

Hi dear Zen. It's definitely the tension. Probably the tension in your elbow. It's very hard to answer properly to this question here without seeing how you play. Please, write to me [e-mail] and we'll try to figure something out.

[@kiralighto2573]

I love your analysis viedos but you didn't talk about technique in this piece

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes, I didn't. It's not about that. BUT! I'm going to make another video which will be a tutorial of how to practice. Stay tuned!

[@arturodemarsico1340]

magnifico....

[@universe-9099]

Hello, please put Farsi subtitles for this video, I really need it!

[@gregniemczuk]

What is Farsi?

[@gregniemczuk]

Aaaaaa, Persian! Ok, I just made it! Check it!

[@universe-9099]

🙏🌷

[@NN-rn1oz]

Greg, your piano sounds very good despite the bad micro. Which Kawai model is it?

[@gregniemczuk]

I have GM-10, unfortunately bigger will not fit my small room and would be hard to put in on the first floor of my house because of the narrow staircase. I'm happy with it, but of course since I'm practicing all days, it gets worse. But every active concert pianist has this problem I think.

[@NN-rn1oz]

@@gregniemczuk Yes, it is a problem even for passionate amateurs like me! I have recently learned the basics of piano regulation on KZbin videos. It is easy and fun, it improves the responsiveness and evenness of the instrument. In addition, it develops a deeper relationship with my piano, which helps improve my playing. I now regulate my piano every month, not because I absolutely need to, but because I like it to be as responsive as it can be! Instant results.

[@aileenteo7027]

Dear Greg, my stamina last only 2 pages. I want to learn this piece. What is your advice for me?

[@gregniemczuk]

Hi! Start from the end and go backwards. Add a few bars every day, but learn the last bars first. This should help!

[@humblemai2211]

I wish I can learn more from you

[@amirjafari60]

درود بر شما.یک برنامه تمرینی برای پیانو میخواستم.

[@militaryandemergencyservic3286]

great. I think he must have been inspired by Schubert's g flat major impromptu no. 3

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes!!! Absolutely!!!

[@pianoman551000]

He's playing Peek-a boo with the camera!

[@chopinfanclub6672]

GOA#

[@Fottimadre]

amazing but please get a better micro :)

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes, sorry. My better micro stopped working on this video......😞