Published in 1857[1] the set is idiomatic of Alkan's unique style of piano composition, consisting of large almost orchestral sounding chords, fast-paced scale configurations, and insistent rhythmic repetition.

Before his Douze études dans tous les tons mineurs Alkan published a set of twelve major key etudes (Douze études dans tous les tons majeurs, opus 35) in 1848, almost a decade before the minor key etudes.

[1] The major key etudes mark the sixth entry into the genre and the first of this scope by Alkan.

[3] These failures mark the beginning of reclusion (a reoccurring theme in Alkans life) from public life coming into full affect when the Polish composer and pianist Frédéric Chopin died on the 17th of October 1849 leaving Alkan, who was a close friend, extremely distraught and giving up performance even for close friends.

[2] This output shows that Alkan was not idle during his disappearance but instead extremely active as these minor key etudes alone contain two hundred and seventy-four pages of material.