A-flat major, 4/4 time, Allegro sostenuto

In 1835, when Chopin visited Schumann's home in Leipzig on his way from Dresden to Paris, he is said to have played the opening of the then-unfinished Ballade No. 2 and the first two Etudes of Op. 25 in front of his friend. Schumann vividly described Chopin's playing of the works at that time, remarking on this Etude No. 1, "Imagine an Aeolian Harp." Since then, the nickname "Aeolian Harp" has become established for this work.

An Aeolian Harp is a stringed instrument whose sounds are produced by natural wind, consisting of multiple strings stretched over a box-shaped wooden frame. Depending on the strength, direction, and force of the wind, different strings vibrate, producing a variety of timbres. In Europe at the time (mainly England and Germany), they were placed in homes, caves, gardens, and summer villas, so it is thought that people had many opportunities to hear their sounds. It is clear that the subtle nuances and variations of the arpeggios played by both hands reminded Schumann of this instrument.

On the other hand, the composer Chopin is said to have told one of his pupils, "Imagine a young shepherd boy who, to avoid an approaching storm, has fled to a safe cave. Even though the rain and wind rage fiercely in the distance, the shepherd calmly plays his reed pipe, improvising melodies as he pleases."

The challenges include the independence of each finger and the flexibility of the wrist and elbow to play the intricate arpeggios legato.