Description:
“Chopin - Etude No. 15 - The Horseman - Op. 25, No. 3” is classified as a Level 9 Piano work worth 1,120,000 points within the Road to Virtuosity progression system. It is categorized under Composers → Chopin, Frédéric and is part of the Romantic collection. The sheet music for “Chopin - Etude No. 15 - The Horseman - Op. 25, No. 3” provided on this website is available for non-commercial use. This means it may be downloaded, printed, studied, and performed for personal or educational purposes, but it may not be sold, redistributed commercially, or used as part of a paid product without permission.
Chopin’s Étude in F Major, Op. 25 No. 3 is a bright and graceful Romantic étude with a light, skipping character. The music is marked Allegro and leggiero, so the fast motion should feel quick, clear, and buoyant rather than heavy. The étude is built around repeated rhythmic figures, broken intervals, quick hand shifts, accents, and sudden changes of key and color. Its difficulty comes from keeping the texture light and even while still shaping the phrases musically.
Measures 1–11 introduce the main light character of the étude. Both hands move in quick broken figures, with the right hand carrying the upper melodic shape and the left hand keeping a steady rolling motion underneath. The articulation needs to stay crisp and flexible, with the accents brought out clearly without making the sound heavy.
Measures 12–21 continue the opening idea with more motion through the harmony. The same lively pattern keeps returning, but Chopin shifts the direction of the figures and adds small crescendos. The pianist must keep the repeated gestures fresh instead of letting them sound mechanical.
Measures 22–32 build toward a stronger middle area. The music becomes more chromatic and unsettled, with a ritenuto leading into a brighter, more forceful passage. The texture still uses the same skipping rhythmic idea, but the harmony and dynamics make this section feel more dramatic.
Measures 33–45 move into a contrasting key area with sharper accents and a stronger sound. The right hand uses accented upper notes while the left hand continues its broken accompaniment pattern. This section feels more brilliant and pointed, and it requires control so the accents are clear without disturbing the flowing rhythm.
Measures 46–48 soften and relax the energy briefly. The music includes a ritenuto and a diminuendo, creating a short transition away from the stronger middle section.
Measures 49–60 bring a forceful return of the main rhythmic idea. The accents become more frequent, with repeated fz markings and a stronger, more insistent character. This passage needs energy and precision, but the basic lightness of the étude should still remain.
Measures 61–68 begin the final release. The music gradually softens with diminuendo and repeated fading gestures. The right hand continues the quick pattern, but the sound becomes lighter and less forceful as the étude moves toward its ending.
Measures 69–end close the étude with a decorative trill-like flourish and final chords. After all the quick, skipping motion, the piece ends with a short, clear cadence that brings the bright F major character back into focus.
Interesting fact: Chopin’s Op. 25 No. 3 is sometimes nicknamed “The Horseman” because of its light, galloping rhythm. Like many unofficial Chopin nicknames, it was not given by Chopin himself, but it helps describe the étude’s lively and riding-like motion.
How to earn points for this piece:
Download or purchase the sheet music.
Practice the piece carefully. Watch the video example to make sure you are accurate.
Record yourself on video and upload it to YouTube. (Perfection is not required. A few minor mistakes are okay.)
Submit a link to your video here for evaluation. We will watch your performance and give you feedback. If you need more practice—we will let you know exactly what you need to work on along with additional practice suggestions. (Or you can submit a video to the public and other users will evaluate your video.)
If your performance is good, we will approve your video and you can collect your points.
Submit Video