Chopin Second Ballad

[pianoman53]

Description and stuff like that will come later, when I'm not late for a train..!

Edit:
There!

So, I started to learn the notes of this piece quite a while ago. Once I knew the notes I stopped (I do that with a few pieces every year, to continue on them later). 2 months ago, I started playing it again, and this is my first performance of this piece.

Obviously, there are many things that needs to be better - The opening has to be more beautiful, the presto needs to be clearer, the chromatic chords in the third part needs to be more even, and the coda is obviously difficult. But I feel it's a good starts

The piano was a Steinway grand, that was way heavier than the pianos I practise on (one of the reasons why the coda sucks).

Still, any comments are very appreciated (even if they're nothing more than 'Good job, I liked it'. Those comments matters too!)

[pianoplayjl]

Nicely played. excellent.

[costicina]

I love this Ballade, perhaps the most underrated among the four, and very demanding. Anyway, you play it beautifully.  I enjoyed a lot your performance. Keep on!!!
Margherita

[pianoman53]

Thank you both for your comments! When you're studying a piece, it's difficult to see how anyone can like what you're doing (since you hear all the misstakes, and everything that didn't go perfectly well), so it's really nice to hear that you liked it

About the ballad, don't you feel that the third is even more underrated? Most people say that the 3rd is, by far, the easiest, and therefore not really worth to play. I, ofc, do think it's worth playing it, but I just like the second more

[danhuyle]

About the ballad, don't you feel that the third is even more underrated? Most people say that the 3rd is, by far, the easiest, and therefore not really worth to play. I, ofc, do think it's worth playing it, but I just like the second more

Even my piano teacher said the 3rd Ballade is the easiest of the four. All the ballades are good.

The coda you can do more and you know that. The main theme I thought is well played. I reckon the 2nd theme could be more violent.

Overall, I enjoyed it.

[pbryld]

I really enjoyed it.

I think the 3rd one is the best btw.

[birba]

That was very good!  The tone was always beautiful and singing.  The sweep of the second stormy section.  the pregnant pauses full of anticipation.  Really excellent.  Don't worry about the coda!  You have the technical apparatus.  It is perhaps the most difficult coda in all three ballades, but take it in stride.  I can tell you're rushing it.  breathe!  And just be where you are at that moment, if you get my gist.   
Try playing the theme as a chorale and bringing out all the notes.  The melody comes across by itself, you don't have to "bring" it out by playing it louder.
Really fine playing!

[pianoman53]

Dan: How do you mean "more violent"? And the coda needs more work, I know.

Birba: I know that the melody it a bit too loud. But my main problem is to voice the melody is enough, so therefore I've worked a lot on that, and therefore it's a bit too much.
About the coda: I was right in the moment, until I came to the trill right before the coda, and felt that the piano was waaay heavier than I though. And I could really go down in tempo, so I freaked a bit

But as you said, it's very difficult, and needs a few concert to feel comfortable.

Thank you both for your comments!

[starstruck5]

   I'm afraid you will have to make do with a general purring of approval from me -as I have no idea about the finer points of this wonderful ballad.  You are definitely on the right road though - bravo!

[birba]

Dan: How do you mean "more violent"? And the coda needs more work, I know.

Birba: I know that the melody it a bit too loud. But my main problem is to voice the melody is enough, so therefore I've worked a lot on that, and therefore it's a bit too much.
About the coda: I was right in the moment, until I came to the trill right before the coda, and felt that the piano was waaay heavier than I though. And I could really go down in tempo, so I freaked a bit

But as you said, it's very difficult, and needs a few concert to feel comfortable.

Thank you both for your comments!

That's exactly what I meant!  the coda is right after those trills.  I could feel your trepidation.  I think if you had just thrown everything to the wind, it would have been exciting!  You played it well enough, technically, as it was.  What you heard is not what the pubblic heard!  (Welcome to the club!)

[pianoman53]

Yeah, I know what you mean.  I think it was because it was the first time performing it, cause I've never played that fast before, so then the breathing got a bit fucked up. I'll think more about it, thanks!