In my opinion, this piece tells an incredible story and is the best piece of music chopin ever wrote, that pensive main theme that could teeter towards either ecstasy or tragedy where it initially resolves to the former in what seems to be the climax of the piece, but then the ecstasy fades, and tragedy is all that's left (and oh boy is that ever a classic Chopinian story).
So wrong You dont know what you are missing The lst ballade is a very good intro to the power and depth of FC like the Fantasie Impromptu and the Etudes which declared his incredible genius However each consecutive Ballade was in every way imaginable a quantum leap superior to the previous one Many Chopinists have described the 4th ballade as one of the highest peaks in all piano literature and l agree but there are to my mind 2 more that also have a simili
Oops l got cut off there are 2 later compositions that very similiar forms which l would have to call his greatests works and were the final results we have of his effort with his ballade form Op60 and Op61 The Barcarolle and The Fantasie Polonaise l have no doubt that these are far and away his greatest works Musically Poetically lntellectually and above alI Spiritually Just listen to them
To me ballade no. 1 is a musical representation of the concept of life right from birth, with all the good and bad, happy and sad, and ending with death. Whenever I listen to it I'm brought through that entire journey and it definitely has immense emotional impact on me
The closing motive is one of my all time favorite things in all of music. There is so much intensity and passion in that section. Literally it gets me so emotional. Those suspensions? 😭
This piece is definitely one of my favorites from Chopin, just the continuous contrasting and resolving throughout the story, it just makes it such an amazing piece to listen to and play, and with your explanation about the specific aspects and details of the music really makes it all that more special!
In my opinion, the first Ballade is a depressing contemplation of happier times, followed by an absolute fury. It is one of the greatest pieces ever put to paper, a showboat of talent and, more importantly, emotion. It cannot be properly played without the experience of tragedy, and of happier nostalgia. It is, in my opinion, Chopin's Magnum opus, and a piece that every pianist worth their salt should attempt. It is my white wale, my fiercest enemy, and my fondest friend.
I first heard this Chopin Ballade when I was 15. I have been infatuated with it ever since. I love the analysis of this complex piece. I have learned a lot, thanks for posting!
As a beginner intermediate on the piano this professional analysis is really very good and it is somewhat above me, but it is not wasted. Thankyou. Nontheless, whenever I hear this composition it always reminds me of that moving film released in 2002 'The Pianist'. Towards the end of the film, this incredible piece is played by the Polish pianist escapee Władysław Szpilman for the German officer Captain Wilm Hosenfeld and both are wondering their fate. Thankyou again for this video.
Thanks! I know and I have a strong memory of watching that film too, it's really well integrated with the music there. I actually planned to mention it towards the ending (in part 2 coming really soon), but unfortunately I forgot it in the heat of the moment! At least it came up here in the comments :)
'The Pianist' is a powerful movie where I first heard the Ballade. Although the actual piece performed by Szpilman in reality was Chopin's Nocturne #20. But Polanski decided to use the G Minor Ballade #1 for the movie.
Once again a perfect analysis of this Ballad. It's amazing to see how much you know, technique wise but also harmonically. I see things now I heard but never noticed before. I've heard this piece about a 1000 times in my life, but now that I watched this it just became even better. Thank you, Mr,. Kilhamn.
I’ve seen quite a few Ballade 1 interpretations and analysis videos and I’ve been waiting for your take on it ever since I started watching your videos. And it didn’t disappoint - you offered a perspective that I hadn’t considered before. Thank you!
Unraveling the plot and structure of Chopin’s Masterwork gives me another intimate look into the mind of true musical genius. He takes you through the entire spectrum of emotion and ends leaving you with either tingly buzz or a full blown emotional hangover! I was convinced I should move on to a different composer after Concerto 1 mvmt. 2… but now Im not so sure. My hunger for Chopin is insatiable it seems!
Chopin is in my top 3 all time favorite artists. Something about his melodies and harmonic progression paints this dreamy warm atmosphere and I always feel something when I play and listen to his work
excellent video - exactly what i was looking for (showing keys and music notation and talking about the structure and development of a brilliant piano piece!) awesome
The little rolling emote down the "mini cadenza" 😄pure joy. Thank you so much for this analysis. I have MANY "favourites" but this piece to me epitomizes the depth that you can bring out of 'notes on a page', and the importance, subtlety and genius of Chopin's musical decisions to make a coherent but still wildly imaginative and narrative piece.
I love this piece so much! Thank you for your thoughts on this piece. Also I just watched your nocturne op 55 no 1 analysis and I got some good insight from that video because I am learning the same nocturne right now. Thank you for these videos!
I love what you do at 8:45 and leave us hanging without the famous E-flat dissonance! Analytical videos like yours really help to craft how to develop a solid interpretation of this piece. Thank you for your gift to us all.
What a beast of a piece! Also really great explanation and I humbly say that along with Nocturne in C minor op 48 no 1 are top best videos explanation on CZcams! Thank you for your great efforts!
Thank you so much for this! Your playing suits the level of clear analyze you give us, i REALLY hope this becomes a series of chopin ballades because they all deserve attention! :)
The most shocking things about this ballade is the tension/relaxing sensation that gives you the minor & major chords is amazing hoy much energy is sustained to the player is really up and down sad history counted in 5 minutes.
Hi Henrik, learning this piece now. Thank you for such brilliant analysis, it will be very helpful for me and so many others. I will keep you updated on my progress.
Greetings from India! I really like your presentation of this masterpiece Sir. Your analysis helps us understand the piece a lot better! It seems like we are viewing it with a microscope!
I hoped that you would do the Chopin Ballades at one point so this is a really nice surprise! Thank you very much - it would be a pleasure to also see the other ones get analyzed
Another fantastic video to enjoy with my cup of coffee on Saturday morning! I love how you read to us from a book about Chopin and I also love how you call some things groovy!!
I think it worth mentioning the tension/resolution feeling you get when the melodic line flirts with the unexpected resolution almost to the dominant. This unexpected landing on the 6th or the augmented 4th builds the desire for the piece to land on the dominant. Very effective way of increasing the angst.
For some reason I always imagine a vast beach at the opening chords, which quickly fades to a boy carrying cinderblocks at his work. There is a such a surprising shift from the majestic sublime to the monotonous and dreary.
The chord at 10:07 can be analyzed as a VI 4/3 chord moving to the V chord. So those 2 chords, the c-minor to the EbMaj7, are just circling the dominant. If you were to play them in their root positions you'd hear the iv-VI-V7 progression.
I loved this analysis purely because of the indication of that important contour at the start. I never noticed how prominent it was throughout the whole piece. May I suggest for your next video Glinka/Gryazanov Valse Fantaisie? I think that would be really nice to analyze because of the recurrence of multiple themes throughout the work.
Well, this is one of the best iterations if this piece I've ever heard. Have you considered upploading your Ballade no. 1 to spotify? I've been having some trouble finding a version that fits my tastes, I'd love to add the uncut version to my playlist :)
Underhållande och väldigt intressant video och analys Henrik! Skulle det vara möjligt att du gjorde en analys av Scriabins sonata no.5? Har länge varit fascinerad av detta stycke och hoppas kunna se dina åsikter och perspektiv på det
Tack! Om du förstår svenska kan man faktiskt läsa mitt masterarbete i textform, där jag gör en grundlig genomlysning av Skrjabins 5:a, inte riktigt samma analysupplägg som i videorna här utan lite mer fri tolkning, men det kanske kan vara intressant. hdl.handle.net/2077/35660 Den står annars på min långa lista av repertoar till kanalen också men jag har gjort ganska mycket skrjabin redan så det är inte prioriterat närmaste året i alla fall...
@@SonataSecrets Ja jag förstår svenska! Kommer från Malmö. Låter spännande med en analys på det mystiska stycket. Hoppas kunna se fler bra avsnitt nu i höst. Du är min främsta youtuber just nu!
I think that it would make more sense to tackle each ballade in their respective order, but I love the 4th ballade so much I wouldn't mind if you made an analysis on it out of order. I hope you get around to it someday either way :)
Nice... 6 / 4 time is compound duple time.. I wonder why Chopin used that instead of 3/4 to get the Waltz feel Interesting that chord symbols are.being used to explain the harmony. DGBb Eb is Eb/ D bass or Gm b6 last inversion. ACEbG is m7b5 or A half dim 7 th or dim m7 ( Explained as in Pop / Jazz )
Why "stop" on the A half-dim? It's part of a II-V-I. Sometimes harmonies are both an end and a beginning-and working to make the listener hear both is one way to get longer lines.
Great video. Also i wanted to ask when you are goint go to cover the 3rd movemen of mozart k310. In studying that movement at the moment. Would greatly appreciate
Well, unfortunately I'm actually not planning to do a video on that movement. I always have a lot of other repertoire I want to get to next, and there are many things I have mentioned in the context of classical rondo form that you can apply in that movement, in videos on Beethovens Pathetique mvt 3 rondo and Mozart's Alla turca rondo. That's why I stopped after mvts 1 and 2. Of course there are unique features of the 310 rondo, but they are in the form of theme and episodes a bit like the other two mentioned.
@@SonataSecrets thanks for the reply. yes the movement is very similar to beethovens 3rd of the pathetique. I just assumed there will be a video on the third one.
I saw all the repetitions of the theme, but you only see them when you try and play it, and you notice the same theme coming back again and again in odd places. I only wish I had blacksmith forearms like Hendrik cos this piece can break wrists.
I always knew there were passages in this Ballade that reminded me of Beethoven's sonatas in their motivic basis, more dramatic character, and the first area especially, the acceleration. But I wasn't sure where those areas were formally speaking, like I thought that the transition was the second theme at first because contrast in character. The transition is indeed one of those areas that sound to my ears Beethoven-esque. The Scherzo and the Coda are the other 2. Maybe that's part of why I love this Ballade the most, even more than the fourth ballade, which is my second favorite, is these Beethoven-esque areas, these areas that remind me of Beethoven's sonatas. Cause I really love Beethoven's music, he's my favorite composer. And to see this kind of Beethovenian "How much can I get out of this motive, and I should make it very contrasting in character with the themes before and after it." in Chopin, it's a rarity.
I would argue that ballade 4 is more beethovenesque in its development of those little motivic "cells". and the 4th ballade is arguably more structurally brilliant than the 1st. The more you analyze that piece, you more you realize how extraordinary it is. I’d argue that it’s as well thought out and structurally nuanced as a Sibelius symphony, which is insane considering one is written for orchestra and the other is written for solo piano
I don't think the motif at around 17:17 (the closing motif as you called it) is a new motif, but rather it's a fragment of the "waltz" melody. If you look at the 5 quavers that open the moderato section (and are an integral part of that melody), the latter 4 follow the exact same contour as the 4-quaver (closing) motif in this new section. I somehow doubt this is an accident.
Sure, they are connected in that way (but only the last 3 notes), but the character is quite different with the first big falling interval of the "closing" configuration, which is not present in the waltz. But as it is developed in the scherzo section (part 2 coming soon!) that interval is reduced so then it's closer again I suppose.
Yes yes yes, Chopin this and Chopin that. I love the music of Chopin no less than all those who also love his music. And this piece is indeed both enigmatic ,emphatic and wholly indicative of a tortured soul. Chopin in my mind pinnacle-ized melancholy and sentimentality. From a loosely comparative perspective please give Hanaveras by Jean Henri Ravina a thorough listening. If you are a pianist it is a piece very well worth tackling. More joyful and yet at times very sentimental JHR is no less important than both Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin. Born seven and eight years respectively after both ,JHR outlived the pair by many years and left a woefully under highlighted legacy in his wake. The classical diaspora and establishment is way too biased to the Greatly popular of every era.
Great video with a lot of thematic and harmonic connections. I don't agree with Charles Rosen here... Even in Chopin's Ballades there is a story telling based on poems. In Cortot's preface of the Ballades the first Ballade is conected with Conrad Wallenrod by Adam Mickiewicz. It will take you about 3 to 4 hour to read the poem but you will relate it to the ballade very easily. For instance the main theme is represented by Conrad's nostalgia for losing Poland's identity towards Lithuania, Prussia and Germania. So there was no Poland anymore. The 1st theme is also represented by the Lute (thats is why he writes staccato in the acompainment so to emulate the sound of the lute). The lute also represents Conrad's nostalgia and state of mind throughout the poem. The 2nd theme is represented by Conrad's beloved Aldona (as you can see Chopin writes a female theme with a descending ending just like in Mozart...). Aldona is traped in the tower (that is why she is presented with the horns before the theme) and encourages Conrad to go to war and regain Poland's identity. You can see every time the 2nd theme apears it impeles him more and more to go to war against the 3 armys of Prussia, Lithuania and Germania. The scherzo represents the banquets that Conrad gave to moralise his troops and to forget about the fact that it was impossible to go to war against 3 armys of three diferent countrys, so Conrad gave big banquets to cheer up his troops and forget about Poland's tragic fate. Just before the coda is where Conrad Wallenrod impeles his troops to fight the 3 armys until the last man standing (at piu forte possible). The Coda is the suicidal batlle where they try to fight the 3 armys of Prussia, Lithuania and Germania but with no success... Conrad Wallenrod commites suicide for not being able to release Aldona from the tower and regaining Poland's identity in the finale. You can easily relate the finale of the poem with the last page of the Ballade and i cote: "Thus lute strings, shuddering from a heavy stroke, Vibrate and burst; in their confusèd sounds They seem to voice the first notes of a song, But of such song let none expect the end. Such be my singing of Aldona’s fate. Let music’s angel sing it through in heaven, And thou, O tender reader, in thy soul".
Thanks so much for sharing! I haven't looked at Adam Mickiewicz's poems, I know Rosen mentions them but I even cut that part of the quote because I have always been convinced of the musical power as absolute music by itself. But the story seems to make a lot of sense as applied to the piece. I reach the same kind of conclusions musically as well, for example the lead up to the coda and the dramatic impact of the ending on life and death. To have an explicit drama connected to it makes it into a different kind of experience. I don't think it's necessary for a musical experience, but it doesn't have to be wrong either.
@@SonataSecrets I'm glad you also felt some connection with the poem/story. Of course it's not 100% programatic but it has some interesting points, (thats the whole point of the Ballades, telling a story, thats why the forms of the Ballades don't mach any particular musical form, just like in Liszt). The 4 Ballades have a distinctive poem in Corto's preface: 1- Conrad Wallenrod, 2- The Pilgrim. 3- Switezianka and 4- The Three Brothers. There is also an interesting Book about the Ballades and Polish identity named "The Polish Ballade" that talks about the connection betwen the literature and Polish identity in Chopin and Mickiewicz. In that book there is also a musical connection betwen the beginning of the 1st Ballade and the aria "Il Abandonato" from Bellini that has a very similar begining. Chopin wrote this 1st Ballade after leaving Warsaw and Polish identity was one of his main concerns do to the revolution and maybe thats why at that time he considered the 1st Ballade his best work after Schumann made his review (at that time he already had written his concertant works). Thank you for your reply and keep up with these videos!
@@hQtnRonqT reports say that was rachmaninoff's favorite prelude that he wrote, it's my personal favorite too! My favorite piece in general is hard to choose, but it may be ravel's gaspard de la nuit or Liszt's 2 legends
In my opinion, this piece tells an incredible story and is the best piece of music chopin ever wrote, that pensive main theme that could teeter towards either ecstasy or tragedy where it initially resolves to the former in what seems to be the climax of the piece, but then the ecstasy fades, and tragedy is all that's left (and oh boy is that ever a classic Chopinian story).
Absolutely, well put!
He seemed to agree it was his best.
So wrong You dont know what you are missing The lst ballade is a very good intro to the power and depth of FC like the Fantasie Impromptu and the Etudes which declared his incredible genius However each consecutive Ballade was in every way imaginable a quantum leap superior to the previous one Many Chopinists have described the 4th ballade as one of the highest peaks in all piano literature and l agree but there are to my mind 2 more that also have a simili
Oops l got cut off there are 2 later compositions that very similiar forms which l would have to call his greatests works and were the final results we have of his effort with his ballade form Op60 and Op61 The Barcarolle and The Fantasie Polonaise l have no doubt that these are far and away his greatest works Musically Poetically lntellectually and above alI Spiritually Just listen to them
I recommend you listening the other ballades, they're in some ways even more astonishing
This is the best piano piece ever written, in my opinion
I share your opinion...
Agreed
Certainly one of the best, but I’d give it to the Liszt sonata or Chopin’s 3rd sonata
💯
To me ballade no. 1 is a musical representation of the concept of life right from birth, with all the good and bad, happy and sad, and ending with death. Whenever I listen to it I'm brought through that entire journey and it definitely has immense emotional impact on me
One of the greatest pieces of music in history, indeed, unmatched!
Even after listening to it hundreds of times, it’s still one of my favorite pieces of music ever
The closing motive is one of my all time favorite things in all of music. There is so much intensity and passion in that section. Literally it gets me so emotional. Those suspensions? 😭
One of the best pieces of music ever written
100%
This piece is definitely one of my favorites from Chopin, just the continuous contrasting and resolving throughout the story, it just makes it such an amazing piece to listen to and play, and with your explanation about the specific aspects and details of the music really makes it all that more special!
Glad you like it :)
@@SonataSecrets Always! :D
In my opinion, the first Ballade is a depressing contemplation of happier times, followed by an absolute fury. It is one of the greatest pieces ever put to paper, a showboat of talent and, more importantly, emotion. It cannot be properly played without the experience of tragedy, and of happier nostalgia. It is, in my opinion, Chopin's Magnum opus, and a piece that every pianist worth their salt should attempt. It is my white wale, my fiercest enemy, and my fondest friend.
It was super interesting when you point out where musical ideas repeat within the piece. Great video as always
Thanks, glad you liked it!
I first heard this Chopin Ballade when I was 15. I have been infatuated with it ever since. I love the analysis of this complex piece. I have learned a lot, thanks for posting!
Glad you ilke it! :)
An amazing piece of music. I cannot think of any of Chopin’s music I don’t like.
This is a fantastic video and does justice the piece deserves.
As a beginner intermediate on the piano this professional analysis is really very good and it is somewhat above me, but it is not wasted. Thankyou. Nontheless, whenever I hear this composition it always reminds me of that moving film released in 2002 'The Pianist'. Towards the end of the film, this incredible piece is played by the Polish pianist escapee Władysław Szpilman for the German officer Captain Wilm Hosenfeld and both are wondering their fate. Thankyou again for this video.
Thanks! I know and I have a strong memory of watching that film too, it's really well integrated with the music there. I actually planned to mention it towards the ending (in part 2 coming really soon), but unfortunately I forgot it in the heat of the moment! At least it came up here in the comments :)
I love 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩. It is one of my favorite films. ❤️
'The Pianist' is a powerful movie where I first heard the Ballade. Although the actual piece performed by Szpilman in reality was Chopin's Nocturne #20. But Polanski decided to use the G Minor Ballade #1 for the movie.
I'd give you my heart itself if i could for analysing this piece. Wept over it countless times
Once again a perfect analysis of this Ballad. It's amazing to see how much you know, technique wise but also harmonically. I see things now I heard but never noticed before. I've heard this piece about a 1000 times in my life, but now that I watched this it just became even better. Thank you, Mr,. Kilhamn.
I’ve seen quite a few Ballade 1 interpretations and analysis videos and I’ve been waiting for your take on it ever since I started watching your videos. And it didn’t disappoint - you offered a perspective that I hadn’t considered before. Thank you!
I appreciate it! :)
It is such a treat to watch you dissect the music so exquisitely. Bravo, maestro.😌
Unraveling the plot and structure of Chopin’s Masterwork gives me another intimate look into the mind of true musical genius. He takes you through the entire spectrum of emotion and ends leaving you with either tingly buzz or a full blown emotional hangover! I was convinced I should move on to a different composer after Concerto 1 mvmt. 2… but now Im not so sure. My hunger for Chopin is insatiable it seems!
Chopin is in my top 3 all time favorite artists. Something about his melodies and harmonic progression paints this dreamy warm atmosphere and I always feel something when I play and listen to his work
excellent video - exactly what i was looking for (showing keys and music notation and talking about the structure and development of a brilliant piano piece!) awesome
The little rolling emote down the "mini cadenza" 😄pure joy. Thank you so much for this analysis. I have MANY "favourites" but this piece to me epitomizes the depth that you can bring out of 'notes on a page', and the importance, subtlety and genius of Chopin's musical decisions to make a coherent but still wildly imaginative and narrative piece.
I have been waiting for this from u for so long.
Yeah!! The video I've been waiting from you for years. Magnificent.
I love this piece so much! Thank you for your thoughts on this piece. Also I just watched your nocturne op 55 no 1 analysis and I got some good insight from that video because I am learning the same nocturne right now. Thank you for these videos!
I love what you do at 8:45 and leave us hanging without the famous E-flat dissonance! Analytical videos like yours really help to craft how to develop a solid interpretation of this piece. Thank you for your gift to us all.
What a beast of a piece! Also really great explanation and I humbly say that along with Nocturne in C minor op 48 no 1 are top best videos explanation on CZcams! Thank you for your great efforts!
It's my pleasure! :)
Reworking this piece now, first played it '81-'82 for my graduate piano recital
What an incredible analysis! It made me appreciate the piece and Chopin much more!
It’s INSANE how this music forces full body chills
I've been following you for quite some time. I'd like to thank you for the valuable videos you make!
Thank you, I'm glad you like them! :)
Fantastic Composer, explendid composition, marvelous dissecation showing your knowledge teatched very professionally!!
Thanks a lot❤❤❤👏👏👏
Great analysis of the structure. Hope you do the other ballades too
Thank you so much for this! Your playing suits the level of clear analyze you give us, i REALLY hope this becomes a series of chopin ballades because they all deserve attention! :)
Glad you like it! :)
לגמרי!
Finally it is here! I love this ballade
Great analysis, about the ballade structure and the rephrasing sequence of main themes. As well as harmony explanations. Thank you!!! 👏👏👏👏👏
The most shocking things about this ballade is the tension/relaxing sensation that gives you the minor & major chords is amazing hoy much energy is sustained to the player is really up and down sad history counted in 5 minutes.
The DEFINITIVE romantic period piece for piano!!
Hi Henrik, learning this piece now. Thank you for such brilliant analysis, it will be very helpful for me and so many others. I will keep you updated on my progress.
Great to hear it, it's such a fun piece to work on, many very different sections that also fit seamlessly together.
your new set up looks very professional!
Greetings from India! I really like your presentation of this masterpiece Sir. Your analysis helps us understand the piece a lot better! It seems like we are viewing it with a microscope!
Hehe, that's indeed what it feels like to analyze music!
My top 1... most beautiful piano piece ever written.
Your analysis of this beautiful piece is pure gold. Thank you so much!
Fantastic playing, fantastic analysis!
I hoped that you would do the Chopin Ballades at one point so this is a really nice surprise! Thank you very much - it would be a pleasure to also see the other ones get analyzed
Maybe in their time...
great analysis! now i'm waiting for the ballade no. 4 :)
Wow this analysis is GREAT!!
can't wait for the second part. thank you so much for analysing thiese piece.
greetings from germany!
Thanks, glad you like it :)
Another fantastic video to enjoy with my cup of coffee on Saturday morning! I love how you read to us from a book about Chopin and I also love how you call some things groovy!!
Music can be groovy, have to call it as I see it eh? :)
I think it worth mentioning the tension/resolution feeling you get when the melodic line flirts with the unexpected resolution almost to the dominant. This unexpected landing on the 6th or the augmented 4th builds the desire for the piece to land on the dominant. Very effective way of increasing the angst.
Yesss finally Ballade 1 :D !!! I'll watch this after my homework
For some reason I always imagine a vast beach at the opening chords, which quickly fades to a boy carrying cinderblocks at his work. There is a such a surprising shift from the majestic sublime to the monotonous and dreary.
Thank you for analysis this piece!!🎶🎶
Amazing video
Omg yesss! Thank u for this this is my favorite piece!😁
Can't wait your part 2!!
The chord at 10:07 can be analyzed as a VI 4/3 chord moving to the V chord. So those 2 chords, the c-minor to the EbMaj7, are just circling the dominant. If you were to play them in their root positions you'd hear the iv-VI-V7 progression.
Can't wait for Part 2!
Thanks for what you do👏👍🙏
excellent video!
Now I have to cycle listen to Chopin's ballades over again, you naughty boy !
Thank you that you made my request a thing.
I loved this analysis purely because of the indication of that important contour at the start. I never noticed how prominent it was throughout the whole piece. May I suggest for your next video Glinka/Gryazanov Valse Fantaisie? I think that would be really nice to analyze because of the recurrence of multiple themes throughout the work.
I'm not familiar with that piece, might check it out.
I´ve been waiting this for so long
Great video.
Your channel disappeared from my fees. Glad to find you again. Always great content
Du är en fantastisk pianist 😍
22 minutes, part 1 of 2
Yaaaaasssssssss
Well, this is one of the best iterations if this piece I've ever heard. Have you considered upploading your Ballade no. 1 to spotify? I've been having some trouble finding a version that fits my tastes, I'd love to add the uncut version to my playlist :)
you play so beautifully, do you have performances?
10:48 It reminded me of the coda. It has the same accompaniment in its harmonic structure. And it also falls on a weak beat
Underhållande och väldigt intressant video och analys Henrik! Skulle det vara möjligt att du gjorde en analys av Scriabins sonata no.5? Har länge varit fascinerad av detta stycke och hoppas kunna se dina åsikter och perspektiv på det
Tack! Om du förstår svenska kan man faktiskt läsa mitt masterarbete i textform, där jag gör en grundlig genomlysning av Skrjabins 5:a, inte riktigt samma analysupplägg som i videorna här utan lite mer fri tolkning, men det kanske kan vara intressant.
hdl.handle.net/2077/35660
Den står annars på min långa lista av repertoar till kanalen också men jag har gjort ganska mycket skrjabin redan så det är inte prioriterat närmaste året i alla fall...
@@SonataSecrets Ja jag förstår svenska! Kommer från Malmö. Låter spännande med en analys på det mystiska stycket. Hoppas kunna se fler bra avsnitt nu i höst. Du är min främsta youtuber just nu!
I think that it would make more sense to tackle each ballade in their respective order, but I love the 4th ballade so much I wouldn't mind if you made an analysis on it out of order. I hope you get around to it someday either way :)
- "What key is it in? Gm, Am, E flat or B flat?"
- "Yes"
Brilliant
Bravo
Always has been my favourite. I learned the first three/four pages but then when it really get's going.. that's just way out of my league
Yeah the difficulty level goes up with the pages!
It’s beyond me, too. 😢
9:13 i believe it’s an eb major 7 with d as a root note
Masterpiece
Nice...
6 / 4 time is compound duple time..
I wonder why Chopin used that instead of 3/4 to get the Waltz feel
Interesting that chord symbols are.being used to explain the harmony.
DGBb Eb is Eb/ D bass or Gm b6 last inversion.
ACEbG is m7b5 or A half dim 7 th or dim m7
( Explained as in Pop / Jazz )
Why "stop" on the A half-dim? It's part of a II-V-I. Sometimes harmonies are both an end and a beginning-and working to make the listener hear both is one way to get longer lines.
Great video.
Also i wanted to ask when you are goint go to cover the 3rd movemen of mozart k310. In studying that movement at the moment. Would greatly appreciate
Well, unfortunately I'm actually not planning to do a video on that movement. I always have a lot of other repertoire I want to get to next, and there are many things I have mentioned in the context of classical rondo form that you can apply in that movement, in videos on Beethovens Pathetique mvt 3 rondo and Mozart's Alla turca rondo. That's why I stopped after mvts 1 and 2. Of course there are unique features of the 310 rondo, but they are in the form of theme and episodes a bit like the other two mentioned.
@@SonataSecrets thanks for the reply. yes the movement is very similar to beethovens 3rd of the pathetique. I just assumed there will be a video on the third one.
How do you even write something this amazing??
YESSSS FINALLY
I saw all the repetitions of the theme, but you only see them when you try and play it, and you notice the same theme coming back again and again in odd places.
I only wish I had blacksmith forearms like Hendrik cos this piece can break wrists.
I always knew there were passages in this Ballade that reminded me of Beethoven's sonatas in their motivic basis, more dramatic character, and the first area especially, the acceleration. But I wasn't sure where those areas were formally speaking, like I thought that the transition was the second theme at first because contrast in character. The transition is indeed one of those areas that sound to my ears Beethoven-esque. The Scherzo and the Coda are the other 2.
Maybe that's part of why I love this Ballade the most, even more than the fourth ballade, which is my second favorite, is these Beethoven-esque areas, these areas that remind me of Beethoven's sonatas. Cause I really love Beethoven's music, he's my favorite composer. And to see this kind of Beethovenian "How much can I get out of this motive, and I should make it very contrasting in character with the themes before and after it." in Chopin, it's a rarity.
Yes, it's very motivically connected indeed. I'll even mention Beethoven in part 2 actually ;) (in the context of the coda, it was hard not to there)
I would argue that ballade 4 is more beethovenesque in its development of those little motivic "cells". and the 4th ballade is arguably more structurally brilliant than the 1st. The more you analyze that piece, you more you realize how extraordinary it is. I’d argue that it’s as well thought out and structurally nuanced as a Sibelius symphony, which is insane considering one is written for orchestra and the other is written for solo piano
I don't think the motif at around 17:17 (the closing motif as you called it) is a new motif, but rather it's a fragment of the "waltz" melody. If you look at the 5 quavers that open the moderato section (and are an integral part of that melody), the latter 4 follow the exact same contour as the 4-quaver (closing) motif in this new section. I somehow doubt this is an accident.
Sure, they are connected in that way (but only the last 3 notes), but the character is quite different with the first big falling interval of the "closing" configuration, which is not present in the waltz. But as it is developed in the scherzo section (part 2 coming soon!) that interval is reduced so then it's closer again I suppose.
can you do an analysis of chopin scherzo no 1 in b minor
Yes yes yes, Chopin this and Chopin that. I love the music of Chopin no less than all those who also love his music. And this piece is indeed both enigmatic ,emphatic and wholly indicative of a tortured soul.
Chopin in my mind pinnacle-ized melancholy and sentimentality.
From a loosely comparative perspective please give Hanaveras
by Jean Henri Ravina a thorough listening. If you are a pianist it is a piece very well worth tackling.
More joyful and yet at times very sentimental JHR is no less important than both Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin.
Born seven and eight years respectively after both ,JHR outlived the pair by many years and left a woefully under highlighted legacy in his wake.
The classical diaspora and establishment is way too biased to the Greatly popular of every era.
As brilliant as this piece is it is a mere shadow of what is to come with the 3rd and 4th Ballades which are far superior in it's craftsmanship.
In 5 minutes he was actually finishing the hole piece. 👏😅
world record haha
@@SonataSecrets 🏅
Great video with a lot of thematic and harmonic connections. I don't agree with Charles Rosen here... Even in Chopin's Ballades there is a story telling based on poems.
In Cortot's preface of the Ballades the first Ballade is conected with Conrad Wallenrod by Adam Mickiewicz. It will take you about 3 to 4 hour to read the poem but you will relate it to the ballade very easily. For instance the main theme is represented by Conrad's nostalgia for losing Poland's identity towards Lithuania, Prussia and Germania. So there was no Poland anymore. The 1st theme is also represented by the Lute (thats is why he writes staccato in the acompainment so to emulate the sound of the lute). The lute also represents Conrad's nostalgia and state of mind throughout the poem.
The 2nd theme is represented by Conrad's beloved Aldona (as you can see Chopin writes a female theme with a descending ending just like in Mozart...). Aldona is traped in the tower (that is why she is presented with the horns before the theme) and encourages Conrad to go to war and regain Poland's identity. You can see every time the 2nd theme apears it impeles him more and more to go to war against the 3 armys of Prussia, Lithuania and Germania.
The scherzo represents the banquets that Conrad gave to moralise his troops and to forget about the fact that it was impossible to go to war against 3 armys of three diferent countrys, so Conrad gave big banquets to cheer up his troops and forget about Poland's tragic fate.
Just before the coda is where Conrad Wallenrod impeles his troops to fight the 3 armys until the last man standing (at piu forte possible).
The Coda is the suicidal batlle where they try to fight the 3 armys of Prussia, Lithuania and Germania but with no success... Conrad Wallenrod commites suicide for not being able to release Aldona from the tower and regaining Poland's identity in the finale. You can easily relate the finale of the poem with the last page of the Ballade and i cote:
"Thus lute strings, shuddering from a heavy stroke,
Vibrate and burst; in their confusèd sounds
They seem to voice the first notes of a song,
But of such song let none expect the end.
Such be my singing of Aldona’s fate.
Let music’s angel sing it through in heaven,
And thou, O tender reader, in thy soul".
Thanks so much for sharing! I haven't looked at Adam Mickiewicz's poems, I know Rosen mentions them but I even cut that part of the quote because I have always been convinced of the musical power as absolute music by itself. But the story seems to make a lot of sense as applied to the piece. I reach the same kind of conclusions musically as well, for example the lead up to the coda and the dramatic impact of the ending on life and death.
To have an explicit drama connected to it makes it into a different kind of experience. I don't think it's necessary for a musical experience, but it doesn't have to be wrong either.
@@SonataSecrets I'm glad you also felt some connection with the poem/story. Of course it's not 100% programatic but it has some interesting points, (thats the whole point of the Ballades, telling a story, thats why the forms of the Ballades don't mach any particular musical form, just like in Liszt). The 4 Ballades have a distinctive poem in Corto's preface: 1- Conrad Wallenrod, 2- The Pilgrim. 3- Switezianka and 4- The Three Brothers. There is also an interesting Book about the Ballades and Polish identity named "The Polish Ballade" that talks about the connection betwen the literature and Polish identity in Chopin and Mickiewicz. In that book there is also a musical connection betwen the beginning of the 1st Ballade and the aria "Il Abandonato" from Bellini that has a very similar begining. Chopin wrote this 1st Ballade after leaving Warsaw and Polish identity was one of his main concerns do to the revolution and maybe thats why at that time he considered the 1st Ballade his best work after Schumann made his review (at that time he already had written his concertant works). Thank you for your reply and keep up with these videos!
fastest i’ve ever clicked a video!
Beethoven Sonata 23 Waldstein please
Jag rekommenderar alla mina Pianoelever att följa din sida och lyssna på dig. Vi ses kanske på pianofestivalen i Göteborg
/ Marie-Louise Stenungsund
Tack så mycket för det Marie-Lousie! :)
Jag ska definitivt komma och lyssna på pianofestivalen någon dag!
WOW - I suddenly feel so dumb 😁
I love his presentation, but his name is not shown. What’s his name?
My 2nd favorite piece :)
What's your 1st ?
@@nikhilstephen6177 Rachmaninoff B minor prelude.
@@hQtnRonqT good choice!
@@hQtnRonqT reports say that was rachmaninoff's favorite prelude that he wrote, it's my personal favorite too! My favorite piece in general is hard to choose, but it may be ravel's gaspard de la nuit or Liszt's 2 legends
@@chrisy367 Yes, it's very hard to choose favorites when it comes to music. I'm also a fan of Liszt's legends, his second ballade aswell.
What is the name of the teacher please
Wouldn’t the chord at 10:17 just be Eb Maj7?
you could see it as so, but the d and g being in the lower voice gives the chord a completely different character from ebmaj7
Polanski chose this ballade in his film The Pianist.