Chopin Ballade No. 1 or No. 3

[debussyfan]

Hi, I was which Ballade, 1 or 3, do you prefer more. I love both of these Ballades but I only have the time to learn one and I do not know which one to choose. They are both excellent in their own ways: the first-mysterious, meloncholy, foreboding and the third-joyous, lovely. I was just wondering which one you would like to learn.

[stevie]

both, simple as that, now the only question is ...which first...

[arensky]

Hi, I was which Ballade, 1 or 3, do you prefer more. I love both of these Ballades but I only have the time to learn one and I do not know which one to choose. They are both excellent in their own ways: the first-mysterious, meloncholy, foreboding and the third-joyous, lovely. I was just wondering which one you would like to learn.

Who cares what we think? We're a bunch of wonks! They're both beautiful, be advised that 1 is much more difficult; do the one YOU like better! You're the one that has to play it....

Enjoy!

[nanabush]

I was playing Litsz's second hungarian rhapsody, but couldn't get into it and switched to Chopin's 3rd ballade.  I got about halfway through the coda and just could not get further, don't know though...I love the third one, cept kinda just got blocked at one point.  So my teacher then suggested Brahms Rhapsody in G minor, how is that rhapsody?

[moose_opus_28]

...I hear the 1st too much, so I'm a bit biased, but I think 3 is prettier.  Both are wonderful pieces though.

[chopiabin]

I'm currently working on the third ballade (have the right hand, got most of the left ), and it's an amazing piece that's really complex and fun to work on. But I really also love the first one, it's up next!!!

[gaer]

When I was a kid, the 3rd Ballade was my least favorite. I believe it's now my favorite. And I would not underestimate it's technical challenges. The problems are not as obvious, but in the end I'm not sure they are easier to solve. Just different.

The Brahm's Gm Ballade is by no means easy but I believe it is much less demanding technically than the Chopin Ballades. Musically? That's another matter.

Gary

[apion]

1 is the greatest; perhaps one of Chopin's greatest achievements.

[gaer]

1 is the greatest; perhaps one of Chopin's greatest achievements.

Schumann would have agreed with you.

Gary

[dinosaurtales]

they are both wonderful.  Can't decide.  Wait, let's flip a coin. Call it in the air!!!   it's ..... it's .........

[jas]

Who cares what we think? We're a bunch of wonks!

Nice to know you're keeping up the general morale! It's true, though.

Just to be awkward and annoying, my favourite by far is the fourth. But out of the two you asked about, the first is more important to me. I know it much better, have listened to it much more, played it more and, for some reason, it has come to define Chopin for me.
But I do love the third.
The second, on the other hand ... never quite grew on me the way the others did.

Jas

[chopiabin]

Yeah, the second is definitely my least favorite - i think it's because there's hardly any of the rambling character of the other ones. Just simple lyrical melody - explosive section - lyrical melody - explosion etc.