Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849), born near Warsaw, Poland, was a remarkable composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era. His prodigious talent was evident early on, composing two polonaises by age seven and joining the Warsaw Conservatory at eight. Influenced by Polish folk music, he integrated nationalistic elements into many of his compositions. Settling in Paris in 1831, he formed friendships with renowned composers like Franz Liszt and Hector Berlioz. Despite political unrest preventing his return to Poland, Chopin's legacy endures through over 230 compositions, ranging from polonaises and mazurkas to preludes, etudes, nocturnes, waltzes, sonatas, concertos, scherzi, impromptus, and more. He continued composing until his untimely death in Paris on October 17, 1849, at the age of 39, after enduring a prolonged battle with various health ailments. 

Published in 1837 during Chopin's early Parisian years, Etude, Op. 25, No. 12, in C Minor concludes his second set of twelve studies, Op. 25, each celebrated for its unique challenges and musical depth. Etude, Op. 25, No. 12 earns its nickname, “Ocean” from the powerful surges and swells of broken-chord figurations dominating the piece in C minor. Structured in a ternary form, it showcases Chopin's mastery of chromatic harmony and piano tone-coloring, especially evident in the tension-filled middle section. As the piece approaches its climactic end, it demands exceptional endurance from the pianist, adding to its already thrilling nature.