Sheet Music: Tristesse

TitleTristesse
Alternate titlesEtude No. 3
Loath to Depart
Opus numberOp. 10, No. 3
ComposerFrédéric Chopin (1810–1849)
InstrumentationFlute solo
KeyE major
RangeE4–B6
Time signature2/4
Tempo80 BPM
Performance time3:25
Difficulty levelintermediate
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (95 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1.7 MB)
Date added2010-09-29
Last updated2010-09-29
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 1.7 (above average)
Categories
Etudes, Romantic

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Wednesday 29 September 2010
Friday 17 May 2024

Tune of the Day: Tristesse

by Frédéric Chopin, arranged for solo Flute

This piece was originally composed by Frédéric Chopin as an étude for solo piano. It is a slow cantabile study, and marks a significant departure from the technical virtuosity required in études before Chopin's time. It concentrates on melodious phrasing and legato ambiance of performance more than technical skill. It has been classified as a tone poem for piano by some critics, and is highly regarded as a quality manifestation of Chopin's love for Romantic opera and Poland, where he was born.

A famous anecdote relates how the composer, while teaching this particular work to a pupil, broke down and cried out, “Oh, my homeland!”. Chopin was said to have also noted this piece as the most personal piece he composed, stating that

In all my life I have never again been able to find such a beautiful melody.

This Étude is also known as “Tristesse”, meaning “sadness” in French.