Reply #20 on: November 07, 2014, 02:39:22 PM. The hardest part here is bringing out the inner voices when they appear, and some of the arpeggios require a tricky inner-finger stretch. Recently, though, I found them on YouTube (performed by Krystian Zimerman), and I was amazed that I had never heard such beautiful pieces. Also, both are classified as being "moderately difficult" in Maurice Hinson's Guide to the Pianist's Repertoire. it's decided now I will play Fotoplayer! 1 can be considered "easy" in the sense that you encounter new material only a couple of times; that is, many parts are repeated so the amount of material you need to learn is rather insignificant. The Scherzo No. Anybody who says otherwise hasn't played them, Reply #10 on: December 14, 2011, 11:04:31 AM, Reply #11 on: December 14, 2011, 07:29:54 PM, Reply #12 on: December 14, 2011, 09:04:57 PM. Frdric Chopin's four ballades are single-movement pieces for solo piano, composed between 1831 and 1842. Works by difficulty Frdric Chopin See also the original overview of these pieces. The Coda is nasty. I still like one more than the others. "I always loved the Ballade," he says as he pours the tea. Is there anything that you like about it in particular that I should listen for? 2 or 4, and those are the ones that you really want to learn, then learn them. Ballades 1 and 3 are great pieces of music, but I don't have a deep desire to play them the way I do for 2 and 4. You mostly can't go wrong with any of these guys. 2: This is so hard to rank as last because I love this piece. Although not the biggest, this piece certainly carries its name. I second looking at the Henle ranking. op. Johann Sebastian Bach: 1685-1750: 631: Ludwig van Beethoven: 1770-1827 There's also a negative side. 10.2: chromatics with legato on 3-4-5 whilst using 1-2 for harmony on the. Chopin / Compositions / Composition. What is the hardest piece to play on piano? The Relaunch of Pleyel in France Produced Far Away, Quote from: pytheamateur on December 12, 2011, 10:48:22 AM, Quote from: starstruck5 on December 12, 2011, 06:19:47 PM, https://pianosage.blogspot.com/2011/08/chopin-ballade-no1-in-g-minor-tips.html, Quote from: fftransform on December 14, 2011, 09:01:58 AM, Quote from: scott13 on December 14, 2011, 11:04:31 AM, Quote from: pbryld on December 17, 2011, 07:28:40 PM, Quote from: philb on December 18, 2011, 09:41:46 AM, Quote from: maxy on November 07, 2014, 05:05:43 PM. A number of parameters have been considered when assessing the level of difficulty. Ballade 4 is my favorite musical piece, period. A pianist well versed in arpeggios would have an easier time with 25/12. Here's my mini rant on why I ordered them this way: 4 - The very opening motif when it comes back in A major, then has that little sweeping cadenza, goddamn. **DISCLAIMER**Rankings like this are subjective and should not be taken too seriously, think of this as more of a guide than an absolutely exact ranking. A major (0' 30") Prlude in F major and Andantino in D minor, KK Anh. Reply #18 on: April 03, 2005, 03:12:22 PM. . The ones I don't are linked below.3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0JEuFiqXO81: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taY5oHleS4I2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnWrFWUJWTI4: https://youtu.be/A3Wriv-QEtE It continues to get more difficult until the Ballade is way too difficult, and it ends smoothly (Shortest Ballade). Something that is always important to keep in mind is your background. When a search is in progress, something will be found. Chopin Ballade 4 Difficulty At just shy of twelve minutes in duration the 'Ballade No.4' by Chopin is not a long piano piece, but what is packed into it is incredible, detailed, and difficult. Same here, was terrified of the double notes in no.2.still am, J.S Bach Italian Concerto,Beethoven Sonata op.2 no.2,Mozart Sonatas K.330&333,Chopin Scherzo no.2,Etude op.10 no.12&Fantasie Impromptu, Reply #7 on: December 13, 2011, 05:59:06 AM. #1 - Some difficult passagework, some rhythmic problems, and the code is hard. 25 no. I suggested instead an "easier" Liszt transcription and she agreed. New York City. Obviously, people will have different perspectives based on hand size, proportions, natural strengths and weaknesses, etc. 10 and Op. Included in that set were several pieces by . I guess it could, but if you are mature enough to play one, then you should be ok to do any of those works. All rights reserved. His Nocturne in Bb minor Op.9 has something similar right near the opening, that slight modulation is just incredible, so subtle, but it just makes it a perfect moment. 2 in F major, op. The Four Ballades, composed between 1831 and 1842, are perhaps the most perfect examples of Chopin's instinctive sense of musical shape and tonal organisation. Actually, my teacher has advised me to hold off on the Ballade's until I have played a bit more of Chopin. Reply #4 on: December 13, 2011, 01:34:20 AM, Reply #5 on: December 13, 2011, 01:35:46 AM, Reply #6 on: December 13, 2011, 04:09:25 AM, no.1,2 or 3. (Hunter Thompson), Perfection itself is imperfection - Vladimir Horowitz, I have always been under the impression that the 3rd Ballade was the easiest. Fryderyk Chopin. I have found it to be reliable, beyond the Etudes. Ia/3 (0' 30") Difficulty 1.5 (9) Mazurkas Mazurka in D major, KK Anh. My rationale for ranking them the way I did: #4 - Most difficult because it has more of a contrapuntal quality than the other 3, some rhythmic difficulty, is the most lengthy, and the coda is very difficult. Others who are far more knowledgeable have on this thread rendered a general difficulty opinion, and the consistency of that consensus would incline me to believe the answer to both of your questions is "yes." . Scherzo 2. After listening to the ballades several times, I've ranked them. Talking about "musicality" is total, subjective BS; if you're just asking about technical difficulty, they're (easiest to hardest) 3-1-2-4. op. 9 (Butterfly). Here's my take: As someone who has learned 23 out of the 24 etudes of Op. https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3683.msg32884.html#msg32884, Quote from: SteinwayGuy on March 31, 2005, 05:55:19 AM, Quote from: SteinwayModelD on March 31, 2005, 07:03:49 AM, Quote from: Waldszenen on April 02, 2005, 07:29:43 AM, Quote from: iumonito on April 01, 2005, 05:12:42 AM, Quote from: iumonito on April 03, 2005, 03:44:27 AM, Quote from: Fred Smalls on April 02, 2005, 06:26:40 PM, Quote from: JP on April 03, 2005, 03:27:35 PM, Quote from: SteinwayGuy on April 03, 2005, 09:02:40 PM. Fri 11 Aug 2000 12.21 EDT. It's the easiest and the most beautiful. The second and third have different challenges, so I would suggest you read through the more difficult parts of each one and choose the one with the more familiar technique to you. Not all people possess both the technique and the musical awareness, therefore it is reasonable to make a distinction here. My favorite part is when the second theme comes back for the second time in A-major. - Parties, Tours, Projects & More Information - - Concerts, News,FAQs, Archives, Will getting a Steinway make me a pariah here? This is the end of a piano piece i'm Why would we have a rest when its the end of a piece? You think you're like "out in the clear", but nope, ends on the iii of the initial key haha. Chopin Difficulty Ratings. THRILLER by Michael Jackson ending some more Rachmaninoff Corelli Variations. It has vastly more musical content and substance than La campanella. Well, I'm 15, been playing for 9 years, and this darn thing took me, You might have seen one of my videos without knowing it was that nut from the forum, Reply #24 on: January 22, 2015, 04:56:53 AM. Thats why I'm learning it, Reply #17 on: April 03, 2005, 09:45:42 AM. He dedicated it to one of his friends at the time, Baron Nathaniel Stockhausen, ambassador of the Kingdom of Hanover. Reply #19 on: April 03, 2005, 03:27:35 PM, Reply #20 on: April 03, 2005, 04:14:58 PM, i dont know why but i think everyone always underrated 3rd ballade, Reply #21 on: April 03, 2005, 09:02:40 PM, Reply #22 on: April 04, 2005, 01:08:07 AM. Then I like Ballade F major for the changes of mood. After careful deliberation I have settled on nine levels of difficulty, which I have divided into three groups: 1-3 (easy), 4-6 (medium), 7-9 (difficult). 4 Ballades 3, 1, 2, 4 4 Scherzos 2, 4, 3, 1 You know this is just subjective - don't argue! Here is my list (#1 is my favorite, #4 is my least favorite). And if you think I've misplaced any of them, or if you think I'm not appreciating one of them enough, I'd like to hear why. It seems that Ballade 4 is a lot of peoples favorite one. Someone who's played Chopin G major prelude and Moszkowski's G min etude would be well prepared for 10/12 and might rank it easier than others might. Substance is not to be expected of a Grande tude de Paganini, probably. I tackled four this semester, and it was a struggle. They are all HOT. Here is my list (#1 is my favorite, #4 is my least favorite). Polonaise-Fantaisie. 2m/pedal 24 rank Cavaille-Coll style pipe organ Re: Chopin ballades difficulties? Here is one (there are far more detailed ones): The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. 25 no. Users of this site and the piano sheet music library agree to be bound by Piano Street Terms and Conditions. 24 posts Page 1 of 2 1, 2. pianostreet.com - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts. I will say - the beautiful Eb major theme in the piece that little interchange from the b6 harmony back to the tonic. I would be interested in knowing this, too. Recently, though, I found them on YouTube (performed by Krystian Zimerman), and I was amazed that I had never heard such beautiful pieces. 24 Chopin Etudes Difficulty Ranking (Easiest to hardest) 27 related questions found. If you have the technique to play Nos. Did anyone else read and reread this post/list and wonder where they went wrong? by Jhon on Fri Apr 15, 2005 8:55 pm. Both Ballade 1 and 3 have beautiful melodies, but Ballade 3 is more in brillante style, so I prefer it least. Please Pass It On! These are the hardest pieces ever written for the PIANO. New Feature: Live Streamed Piano Recitals. Again, all 4 pieces are masterpieces from a master artist, and they are all worth a listen and another. I found these interesting Chopin difficulty ratings through browsing the web. There is nothing better in this world than smoking a A student asked me what pieces use the middle pedal and i How normal is it to have a live performance that isnt Just wondering if anyone know how to play this because I What are some other Piano songs that have a similar feel Press J to jump to the feed. What is the goal of learning Chopin Ballade? That feeling doesn't sit well if I'm playing it for people haha. I absolutely love listening to the set, but my ranking is more on my experience from playing them (I haven't played #4 or #2 in public, but have worked through them quite a bit on my own time). 49," seems to suggest Beethovenian seriousness in its Lento introduction (track 9) but turns into something. Keep it light and playful. 53 , grand polonaise (with intro, piano version). Boy the scherzi seem more technically difficult than the ballades especially number 3 in C# & and 4 in E major. This is one of Chopin's most beautiful pieces; sing out the two melody lines. A pianist who has played a lot of Joplin would probably find 25/9 (and maybe 25/4) on the easier side. I'm therefore, assuming you've looked at all of it. There is one nocturne you can attempt if you've had success with some of the previous Chopin suggestions, though: Nocturne in G minor, op 15 no 3 - grade 8 RCM . I just love the swirling F minor theme that just brews and brews throughout, it's so creepy. Re: The Easiest and Hardest of the Ballades and Scherzos? It's effective, but I prefer to listen to it than to work through it. I would say that if you can play any one of them well, you are technically capable of playing all of them. - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts. We start with tea and chocolate cake, sitting in his light, airy kitchen/dining room. The 4th would require more dedication and time to perfect, but you would be rewarded by being able to play one of the most sublime pieces ever written. 1 (Aeolian Harp). Currently learning Ballade 2, and it's definitely my second favorite. Recommended editions . I am ranking these based on Rubinsteins recordings (which I think are the best), so here they are favorite to least favorite: 1: Not only my favorite Ballade or Chopin piece, but one of my favorite pieces of music in classical repertoire. Doesn't make very much sense. I'll never understand the point of threads like this. It is really morbid though, that the piece swings back to the opening motif, and ends in A minor. WHOA! There's nothing offensive in it; the coda reminds me a lot of the Barcarolle, another favorite of mine. Echoing Piano Doug, in the future, I will only work on one or two at a time as supplements to my regular rep. Well, I learned 25/2 first, then 25/1, then 10/4. The sheer . It is a bit similar to ranking my own children though as they are all amazing. I was sight reading through it yesterday, and found it not to be that tricky, of course it will require alot of work, but it wasnt very hard to sight read (except for 1 page, can't remember which). The Ballade No. Definitely don't start with the first or fourth ballades. Do a search. Fun Stuff! I was just listening to one of my recordings (Tamas Vasary) of the Chopin Ballades and Scherzos, and I decided to learn one (I haven't before). Aargh, most people are underrating the difficult of Ballade No. The Easiest and Hardest of the Ballades and Scherzos? 25 (all but 25/4 - will do in Jan), I think it is possible to group them in broad categories of relative difficulty. The ENTIRE piece is extremely pianistic, even the coda. "It's a piece I went back to many times. 2. I guess I everyone has different abilities, considering every list is different. I think the order may have something to do with how hard they are ;), but then I would change number 2 with 3. People were just commenting the in terms of technique, it's the least difficult of the ballades, which is true. And I will maybe want to try one of the other ones or a scherzo, so what do you all think? (Built about 45 minutes from me!) 38 . I love how light-hearted this piece is; it's definitely easier to get through than the others, but it has it's crazy moments, but just overall it's just an absolute joy to play through haha. There is a lifetime's worth of work in these etudes. They range in difficulty from grade 9 - ARCT (which is basically the highest level). But yarghhhhh playing LH octave leaps with that RH passagework, just doesn't feel good. In 1836, a year after his first scherzo, Chopin published his first ballade. Fascinating article on the acoustics of the new hall Visit Virtual Sheet Music to learn more Powered by UBB.threads PHP Forum Software 7.7.5, Quick Links to Useful Piano & Music Resources. Ballade no.4 in the middle? Seems like a nobrainer to me. What does matter, is which one you like best.. Great for motivation After you've decided which piece, prepare a work schedule and stick to it. Welcome to the Piano World Piano ForumsOver 3 million posts about pianos, digital pianos, and all types of keyboard instruments. Ia/2-3 2. Nocturnes (Easiest to most Difficult) 4+ Nocturne c minor KK IVb no.. Of the self-contained longish pieces, the ten-minute Polonaise-Fantaisie - a late best Chopin work, published in 1846 - is the perfect musical novella, unique in structure . The most difficult one is the Fourth. Piano accessories and music gift items, digital piano dolly, music theme party goods, and more! Beethoven - Sonata in C sharp minor, Op 27 No 12, Reply #2 on: December 12, 2011, 01:13:05 PM, Reply #3 on: December 12, 2011, 06:19:47 PM. Reply #13 on: December 17, 2011, 02:33:55 AM. Difficulty 1 (3) Other works Two Bourres, KK VIIb/1-2 1. Reply #16 on: December 18, 2011, 04:57:53 AM, Reply #17 on: December 18, 2011, 09:41:46 AM. I quit the piano! It's just very dense and longer than the others. Ia/1 (1') To me, 3 months seems like a relatively short time to spend on a piece of this level and musical depth. here is my list, easiest to hardest: Money does not make happiness, but it can buy you a piano. [Nor do they have the time to play through them. That being said Ballade 2 is still MILES ahead of so much other piano rep in my opinion. G major (1') 2. 622 Agree mostly with this, however op 25/12 is incredibly difficult to play with full accuracy, it's very easy to play wrong notes at that tempo, it requires a reasonable amount of stamina also,. The final "Introduction and Allegro, Op. What follows is a continuous dramatic stream, shifting and . Be . 4: Another lovely work, this one is probably the most epic, grand, and triumphant of them all being the longest and most technically difficult. It just flows better), the Chopin is like this crazy Ragtime and makes me feel like I'm about to drive off a cliff when I go to play it. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below!Apologies for the re-upload - I found some errors with the first version.I do not own most of the recordings in this video. 1 in G minor, Op. Over 100,000 members from around the world. When I was 11 years old, my piano teacher, a stereotypical little-old-lady teacher who, in fairness, was a pretty good teacher for young kids, gifted me a 4-LP set of well-known classical pieces. All rights reserved. Although there are some givens (Rach 3 is "harder" than a Bach 2-part Invention) the vast majority of other questions come down to personal details what else have you played, how did it sound, what recordings/concerts have you listened to, what sort of condition is your technique in. Reply #11 on: April 02, 2005, 06:26:40 PM, Reply #12 on: April 02, 2005, 08:46:29 PM. They are considered to be some of the most . 1 - Obviously an incredible piece, but I feel like there's a threshold here where there are some unpianistic bits (compared to the others). 23 was published in 1836. Great Chopin interpreters include: Krystian Zimerman, Artur Rubinstein, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Maurizio Pollini, Dinu Lipatti, Solomon, Seong Jin-Cho, Moiseiwitsch, Ivan Moravec, Fialkowska, Jorge Bolet, Samson Francois, Rafal Blechacz, Dang Thai Son, and Maria Joao Pires. Reply #21 on: November 07, 2014, 05:05:43 PM, Reply #22 on: November 08, 2014, 02:23:20 PM, Reply #23 on: January 22, 2015, 03:54:38 AM, Hello everyone, I was just reading this, and I thought I would say that if I were a newcomer to piano, after reading this I may think that #3 was a "piece-o-cake". We had this discussion recently and it seems that the types of technique you have affect severly what you think. I left it . It's really all a matter of what the individual player has experience in. In my opinion, after I did 25/2, 25/1, and 10/4 I felt like the. Users of this site and the piano sheet music library agree to be bound by Piano Street Terms and Conditions. We obviously are not talking at the same level. And I'm only 1/24th of the way into my disagreements with that list. There is no way 10/6 is the easiest. Andantino in D minor, KK Anh. It was like a mini-soundbite on a website, the piece wasn't even listed. Reply #8 on: April 01, 2005, 05:12:42 AM. Reply #8 on: December 13, 2011, 08:08:49 AM, If you choose to study the 1st Ballade, check out the Piano Sage Blog's article -, Reply #9 on: December 14, 2011, 09:01:58 AM. Reply #23 on: April 04, 2005, 01:54:14 AM. Ballade 3 Ballade 1 Ballade 4 Ballade 2 How do you rank them? The first ballade's beauty is that it doesn't sound very difficult. I learned that these pieces only come with time and patience. .And I'm only 1/24th of the way into my disagreements with that list. The four-movement structure of each concerto is novel, and Shelley handles the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra well from the keyboard, an impressive feat given the difficulty of the piano parts. Yes, it requires technique to execute "lightness in touch" and "voicing and phrasing" etc but it requires musical maturity to know when to apply these techniques. Critique me as harshly as you can I'm performing in What do you think? Chopins ballades are among his best works and I believe all 4 of them are nothing short of a masterpiece.