The work is to be executed at an "Allegro" tempo. Chopin's metronome marking, given in the original sources, is MM 176 referring to quarter notes. The time signature "common time" is according to the first French, English, and German editions. A copy by Józef Linowski of Chopin's autograph reads cut time ("alla breve"). A slower tempo ( = 152) has been suggested by later editors such as Hans von Bülow who feared that at  = 176 "the majestic grandeur be impaired." There is no "Maestoso" indication by Chopin though. Unlike Op. 10, No. 4, which reaches , this one stays in throughout and never once reaches . Both right hand arpeggios and left hand octaves are to be played legato throughout.