Grieg Ballade in G minor, Op.24

[phil13]

Has anybody played this piece? It is one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever heard, that Norwegian folk song is haunting, and each variation is a work of art.

It does, however, seem a bit difficult. *cough*

Okay, it's really really hard. What other pieces compare with it on a level of difficulty? It would be nice to know where I'd be able to play it, at what point in my playing skill I could pick it up.

Any responses are greatly thanked.

Phil

[mrdaveux]

Well, it actually depends what's your ability and what are your strength and weaknesses.

The Ballade is certtainly Grieg's most ambitious and difficult work for solo piano, but it doesn't compare to Liszt or Chopin etudes, at least in my opinion.

I would rank it among Chopin polonaises for technical skill (it's a variation work , so some sections have lots of octaves or skips and others are relatively easy to pull off).

It's weird that you want to learn it, cause most people haven't even heard it (Rubinstein made a good recording, though). I find it difficult to make it sound logical in structure.

[burstroman]

It's great to know that some people like to learn fine works that deserve to be better known.  Keep studying.

[bassoonypiano]

As the other poster said, this work deserves to better known. And I agree with you Phil that that theme is very haunting. I may begin it after these auditions

[phil13]

Well, it actually depends what's your ability and what are your strength and weaknesses.

The Ballade is certtainly Grieg's most ambitious and difficult work for solo piano, but it doesn't compare to Liszt or Chopin etudes, at least in my opinion.

I would rank it among Chopin polonaises for technical skill (it's a variation work , so some sections have lots of octaves or skips and others are relatively easy to pull off).

It's weird that you want to learn it, cause most people haven't even heard it (Rubinstein made a good recording, though). I find it difficult to make it sound logical in structure.

Peter Katin also made a great recording- except for the loud G major variation in 6/8 time. He botched the triplets, making them sound more like duplets.

Has anybody played it who's on this forum? I'd be interested in knowing what strengths would be important or even necessary for playing this piece.

Phil

[pianowelsh]

Its a piece i ve considered a couple of times and declined because of the difficulty of programming it.  Yes it is hard - it require a lot more stamina than an etude and the latter sections require virtuoso playing - kind of like the Chopin Ballade 4 or Scherzo 3 id place it on a level with those (although different in style).  It is a shame its under played, does Leif play it?? Im sure he would do a good take on it