Should I play one of Chopin's Ballades?

[the_franzliszt]

I've been playing piano for about 8 years now. I went through all the basic things very quickly and my first piece was Mozart's Sonata no. 11 in A major, "Alla Turca." I've always loved more of the romantic era composers such as Liszt and Chopin. Here is a list of "higher level" pieces that I can perform "well", meaning being good enough in a concert or a competition. I would love to hear your thoughts.)

Beethoven:
- Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata", All Movements
- Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 no. 2 "Moonlight", All Movements

Frederic Chopin:

- Nocturne Op. 48 no. 1 in C minor
- Nocturne Op. 32 no. 2 in A major
- Nocturne Op. 55 no. 1 in F minor
- Etude, Op. 10 no. 9 in F minor
- Etude, Op. 25 no. 2 in F minor
- Etude, Op. 25 no. 7 in C sharp minor
- Sonata no. 1 in C minor, Op. 4, 1st Mvt

Franz Liszt:

- Six Grandes Etudes de Paganini, s. 141 no. 1 in G minor
- Six Grandes Etudes de Paganini, s. 141 no. 3 in G sharp Minor "La Campanella"
- Transcendental Etudes, No.1 and No. 3
- All of his Consolations

Again, Would Love to hear y'alls thoughts,

Thanks!

[bryfarr]

I'm not sure why someone who can play (well enough to perform) the advanced pieces you list, would have doubts...  what exactly are your doubts, what exactly are you asking?

[the_franzliszt]

Well I wanted to get into Chopin's first or fourth ballade, but my teacher said I'm not quite ready for them yet and told me to wait about a year or do his third one.

[bryfarr]

The 4th is the most difficult and though I haven't worked on it, it seems MUCH more difficult than 1 - 3.  Clearly, Chopin was intending something beyond what he had done before.  I have worked on the other three.  If you can play the Appassionata and those 4 Liszt etudes you mention, on a performance level, I'm sure you can handle any of the first three ballades.  Start reading the 1st ballade on your own, you do not need permission to do that... you're not a kid, right?  I would, however, hold off from the 4th ballade until you've played a few large Chopin works - ballades, scherzi, polonaises, (fantasie, barcarolle).

[the_franzliszt]

Yeah, I'm 17 about to turn 18, but my teacher is very picky and wants it to be played how he thinks he would play it or how the composer wants it. But when I go to a performance and play my own interpretation of it, he scolds me after lol. Thanks for the reply.

[lelle]

Yeah, I'm 17 about to turn 18, but my teacher is very picky and wants it to be played how he thinks he would play it or how the composer wants it. But when I go to a performance and play my own interpretation of it, he scolds me after lol. Thanks for the reply.

I think it's wrong of him to scold you for exploring your own creativity. How are you going to find your own voice as an artist if you can't try things?

As a piano student, it is valuable to try your best to honor the composer's intentions, because you learn a lot that way. It also gives you options. When all you do is your own interpretation and putting on blinders to any other approach, you ironically limit yourself. When you learn and explore, you gain more tools and approaches in your musician toolbox, which you can apply in your own creativity.

[the_franzliszt]

Yeah, I'm going to go study with a college professor soon, so that should be good. The problem is that he is the only teacher by me that could teach my level.

[piabanoch]

i don't know, i think you are ready for any ballade(maybe except for the 4th but i'm not sure. Try one ballade and see by your self if you are ready. The repertoire you mention i think it's very difficult and im almost sure you can play a ballade and maybe the 4th but i think you should listen your teacher because he knows better than anyone in this forum

[pianistavt]

I've been playing piano for about 8 years now. I went through all the basic things very quickly and my first piece was Mozart's Sonata no. 11 in A major, "Alla Turca."  ... Here is a list of "higher level" pieces that I can perform "well", meaning being good enough in a concert or a competition. I would love to hear your thoughts.)

Beethoven:
- Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata", All Movements
- Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 no. 2 "Moonlight", All Movements

Frederic Chopin:

- Nocturne Op. 48 no. 1 in C minor
- Nocturne Op. 32 no. 2 in A major
- Nocturne Op. 55 no. 1 in F minor
- Etude, Op. 10 no. 9 in F minor
- Etude, Op. 25 no. 2 in F minor
- Etude, Op. 25 no. 7 in C sharp minor
- Sonata no. 1 in C minor, Op. 4, 1st Mvt

Franz Liszt:

- Six Grandes Etudes de Paganini, s. 141 no. 1 in G minor
- Six Grandes Etudes de Paganini, s. 141 no. 3 in G sharp Minor "La Campanella"
- Transcendental Etudes, No.1 and No. 3
- All of his Consolations

Again, Would Love to hear y'alls thoughts,

Thanks!

Would love to hear you play - can you post something in Auditions?  I assume you make recordings all the time if you are preparing for performances...

[the_franzliszt]

Sure, I'm at work most of today and will be out of town tomorrow. On Monday ill post a performance of a couple of the pieces.