Etude Op. 25 No. 5
The “wrong note": in the outer sections Chopin sets a dissonance that sounds like a mistake and stays in your ear for exactly that reason. In the middle it turns into a wide song.
The piece at a glance
- Composer
- Frédéric Chopin
- Year
- 1837
- Origin
- Op. 25 No. 5
- Key
- E minor
- Level
- Advanced
- Keys recommended
- 88
How difficult is it?
The outer sections demand finger independence at a very quiet dynamic. The middle section is the greater musical task.
The real hurdle
The dissonance has to stay audible without being stressed. Hide it and you are playing a different piece.
How long does it take?
Two to four months.
A rule of thumb, not a rule – how fast it goes depends on prior experience and practice time. This level is an assessment, not a measurement: most pieces exist in arrangements ranging from heavily simplified to concert level. The rating refers to the common arrangement.
Which instrument suits it?
Needs an instrument with a real pianissimo – on hard keyboards the joke of the outer sections disappears.
Instruments that suit it
Roland FP-E50 EU approx. €690–780Portable digital piano with PHA-4 Standard action.
Yamaha Clavinova CLP-845 EU approx. €2,200–2,600The Clavinova upper class: GrandTouch-S action with wooden keys – CFX plus Bösendorfer Imperial on board.
Kawai MP11SE EU approx. €2,200–2,350Stage piano with Grand Feel action.
The catalogue lists 233 instruments with verified data – key count, action and connections documented rather than claimed.
Where to find the sheet music
The work is in the public domain: the term of protection – 70 years after the composer’s death – has expired. Note that a modern engraving or a new arrangement can still be protected. What is free are the old editions, not automatically every version.
Free: the historical editions
IMSLP holds the old, public-domain editions as PDFs – free and legal. Engraving and fingering reflect their era; anyone wanting a modern, easily readable edition is often better served by a paid one.
Modern editions and arrangements
Simplified versions, modern engraving and arrangements are available from the usual sheet music retailers. We will add direct links here shortly.
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is Etude Op. 25 No. 5?
The outer sections demand finger independence at a very quiet dynamic. The middle section is the greater musical task.
What key is Etude Op. 25 No. 5 in?
Etude Op. 25 No. 5 is in E minor.
How many keys do you need for Etude Op. 25 No. 5?
88 keys are recommended.
Who composed Etude Op. 25 No. 5?
Frédéric Chopin, 1837.
Can you download the sheet music for Etude Op. 25 No. 5 for free?
The work is in the public domain: the term of protection – 70 years after the composer’s death – has expired. Note that a modern engraving or a new arrangement can still be protected. What is free are the old editions, not automatically every version.
How long does it take to learn Etude Op. 25 No. 5?
Two to four months.
If this suits you
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