Brahms Ballade in G minor

[megadodd]

I just got assigned to play this piece for my teacher in 2 weeks, I think it's abit of stretching my capability. I just looked over the sheets and I have to say, it looks and sound frightening, for a semi intermediate pianist.

ANY...advice will be looked upon with great enthusiasm. I love the piece.
To get it somewhat playable for my teacher, is it as hard as it looks?


So anyway, any tips would be appreciated, along with the musical advice- any insight on the piece and Brahms itself would be good, as I know little to nothing about the composer and how he 'wants things done' (?) .

Megad.

(I can't attach any sheets because I'm on a school computer, won't let me download anything)

[danhuyle]

I've played this one myself.

With interpretation, that main theme in the B section (where you change from G minor to B major) I had a lot of difficulty with the execution of that melody. You want to practice that part slowly and musically before you play it fast.

It uses a lot of chords and the structure is a straight forward one ABA Coda. The articulation can be refined over time.

I takes one week to learn the A section and Coda (both the same). Another week to learn the B section.

The challenge you'll have is clarity of melodies over layers of chords. Get it to the point where you can play it fluently at a slow tempo so that when you come to your lesson, you can start focusing on interpretation.

[megadodd]

With interpretation, that main theme in the B section (where you change from G minor to B major) I had a lot of difficulty with the execution of that melody. You want to practice that part slowly and musically before you play it fast.

It uses a lot of chords and the structure is a straight forward one ABA Coda. The articulation can be refined over time.

The challenge you'll have is clarity of melodies over layers of chords. Get it to the point where you can play it fluently at a slow tempo so that when you come to your lesson, you can start focusing on interpretation.

Thank you for your insight!

I find the A section falling very nicely under my hands, that is a big relief.
 It seems as though that B section is the big struggle maker.

I want it to sound more pearly, in contrast to the unleashing A section. I've never come across a technique that makes it sound as pearly as the pros make it. (in any piece)

[pytheamateur]

Keep up the work.  Once you have mastered the piece, your playing will have reached the level expected of a student after 1 year of study at a conservatoire (the piece is in the DipABRSM syllabus).

[megadodd]

Keep up the work.  Once you have mastered the piece, your playing will have reached the level expected of a student after 1 year of study at a conservatoire (the piece is in the DipABRSM syllabus).

That's really great to hear!
Can you explain what DipABRSM is, hee hee? I'm not familiar at all with grades conscerning music.
I've heard of ABRSM ofcourse, and the 1-8.
So what is DipABRSM to the number grades?

[pytheamateur]

That's really great to hear!
Can you explain what DipABRSM is, hee hee? I'm not familiar at all with grades conscerning music.
I've heard of ABRSM ofcourse, and the 1-8.
So what is DipABRSM to the number grades?

DipABRSM is the lowest of the three diplomas offered by ABRSM, the other two being LRSM (final-year student) and FRSM (masters student).  So DipABRSM is the next step up from Grade 8, but I've heard there's a big gap between the two.

[megadodd]

DipABRSM is the lowest of the three diplomas offered by ABRSM, the other two being LRSM (final-year student) and FRSM (masters student).  So DipABRSM is the next step up from Grade 8, but I've heard there's a big gap between the two.

Oh, I see-
Thank you so much.

Still, any more insight on the piece would be appreciated