Chopin, Etude in C minor, Op. 25, No. 12

Étude Op. 25, No. 12 in C minor is the last of Frédéric Chopin's formal studies for the piano, opus 25. It was first published in 1837 in French, German, and English. The piece brings a plenitude of piano sound and an irresistible impression of elements that are all but uncontrollable. The dynamics swell to the utmost. The periodically crashing waves of figuration are penetrated by a lofty, heroic theme. The ultimate victory is beyond doubt. In the last bars, the minor key is vanquished by the eighteen-fold intoning of a major third.