Live performance: • A bunch of Études @Fanchen
The genre of Études came to fruition during the onset of the 19th century. This was in parallel to the surge in popularity of the piano to the general public. As more individuals took on the instrument, either as pastime or for a higher educational purpose, numerous composers devised short pedagogical compositions to facilitate technical and musical growth.
Rachmaninoff’s ÉtudesTableaux are a more modernized conception of etudes, as “Tableaux” focuses on the musical depiction of “pictures". No. 2 features a recurring 2against3 rhythm in both hands; listeners will notice the quoting of Dies Irae plainchant in the lefthand.