Frédéric Chopin

Before Chopin, there was a tradition of writing studies for the development of keyboard technique, but the pieces were primarily didactic. This set of 12 Études, dedicated to Liszt, represents a new form: concert pieces that serve a secondary function as development of advanced piano skills. Each étude begins with a pattern of pianistic figuration, which creates the specific technical problem for the étude and persists for the duration of the piece. That Chopin was able to create poetry in spite of such controlled and limited means of expression is a testament to his creative genius...With a beautifully lyrical melody, set rather simply, Étude No. 3, in E major, is contrasted with a more agitated middle section. The ability to differentiate melody from accompaniment in a single hand is exercised here. One of the easier études, Chopin thought this his finest melody.

-- Steven Coburn, All Music Guide