In love with classical music...Reacting to Krystian Zimerman Chopin Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52

Original Video: • Krystian Zimerman - Ch...
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[@Cornix94]

This is a really interesting one. Like the other three ballades, it's heavily driven by its structure, but in a way that's more ambiguous to interpret. The first ballade, which you've already reacted to, has a pensive main theme that could teeter towards either ecstasy or tragedy. It first resolves to the former in what seems to be the climax of the piece, but then the ecstasy fades, and tragedy is all that's left (and oh boy is that ever a classic Chopinian story). At first glance, the fourth seems to do the same thing, but the transition is far less organic. Rather than letting the "ecstasy" section have its time in the sun and fizzle out, the tragic ending hijacks the narrative in a bizarre hairpin turn punctuated by a moment of subdued reflection. The ending section itself is intentionally muddled and stumbling, packing none of the first ballade's calamitous punch. Even the buildup to the presumptive ecstatic climax from 9:00-10:37 is... stretched, with the momentum reliant on exaggerated ornamentation that borders on self-parody. Honestly, if this piece has a genuine emotional climax, it's that wonderful, lush polyphonic section from 4:20-5:00. It's an interesting canvas to work with, and one that supports a lot of interpretations. When I tried to play it, I viewed it as the voice of someone who's just very tired. If the first ballade is about a youngster who finds happiness only to have it shattered, then the fourth is about someone who's been through the wringer enough times to know how things will probably end. The hope they can muster is forced and false, and they'd rather smother it themselves than wait for something to come and ruin it. The only real peace they find is in those fleeting, subtle moments where they can just enjoy life's pleasures for what they are, rather than working themselves up with expectation of a "happily ever after".

[@joshuayan5990]

holy shit

[@Haycar2000]

Im working on the 4th ballade right now..... and wow. You hit that spot on. Thank you for your interpretation!

[@imapigeon7984]

I would say the emotional climax is 9:30 to 10:30

[@ScriabinistheGOAT24]

@@joshuayan5990 That was my exact reaction lmao

[@justintimetoclashandbrawl3348]

this piece is BY FAR my favourite classical piece !!

[@Haycar2000]

Same!!!

[@Thoys-dh7zm]

Same!!!

[@WhyPhi]

This has been my favorite piece for a while. Absolutely beautiful idk what to even think about it tbh. Very interesting feeling.

[@jonathan130]

How was it even created, speech les

[@Haycar2000]

This is my favorite piece ever. Thank you so much for reacting!!

[@ludgeraxelcenvinento2949]

Such a tragic piece, especially that ending

[@GIDIREACTS]

What is the story behind it? I probably should've googled it first

[@ludgeraxelcenvinento2949]

@@GIDIREACTS Chopin was a very sad person and many of his pieces are full of sadness, loneliness, and pain. He missed his homeland and family, he was never able to go back to Poland after the failed Polish revolution. His love life was doomed and he also suffered from a serious illness that he suffered from his childhood. Chopin was dying his whole life.

[@GIDIREACTS]

@@ludgeraxelcenvinento2949 oh wow..this gives a whole new meaning to the piece. Thank you for the info! That’s really tragic

[@ludgeraxelcenvinento2949]

@@GIDIREACTS no problem! Yeah it is, this whole piece is slow, solemn, and nostalgic. UNTIL the last one minute it becomes very fast, full of anger and tears. Just like Ballade No. 1

[@officialinterpretations2804]

there is actually no story to 99% of Chopin's pieces because his music was not program music so it wasn't anything particular. Maybe some of his pieces were resembling something to him (etude in c minor op 10 no 12)but that wasn't the official story as there is no official story to his pieces that was just for him.​@GIDIREACTS

[@bobbytran7520]

That coda (final section) is absolutely beautiful, simply sublime.

[@wolfstrela]

Chopin, Liszt, and Alkan are the holy trinity of romantic pianists and composers. Check out Alkan if you don't know him, you won't regret it.

[@GIDIREACTS]

I will, thanks :)

[@giovannib27]

I haven't heard Alkan, Ill check him out, but I'd definitely put Rachmaninoff in that Liszt

[@gixelz]

bruh. recommending alkan to a beginner. i can barely stand alkan

[@wolfstrela]

@@gixelz To each their own.

[@ethanhopper2467]

@@gixelz Alkan takes a bit of getting used to. The first ten times I listened to his music, I heard nothing but show. Part of the problem is that there exist so few good recordings of his music since it's so difficult - once I heard interpretations by Hamelin and other greats, I was sold.

[@UncleBenPackWatch]

As usual a great reaction bro!

[@featherineaugustusaurora3416]

Great Reaction As Always,Looking Forward For You to React To Symphony

[@GIDIREACTS]

I’ve put some symphonies on the list, they should eventually be coming soon 😌

[@featherineaugustusaurora3416]

@@GIDIREACTS just a recommendation, this is a good version if you want to hear the Beethoven Symphony No. 9, there are several versions where the audio quality and some other things are not good, so it can affect when you listen to it. This is One of My Favorite Version : kzbin.info/www/bejne/in2WnHudj9KJeLM

[@anteb.k.8396]

Love your channel! You should react to some symphonies, they are one of the richest musical treasures of the classical music world. Anything by Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, Shostakovich, Rachmaninov and many others. I would recommend Mozart Symphony No. 40 for start, or Beethoven 9th

[@GIDIREACTS]

I got you, I have some on the list already so imma add these ones to it thanks!

[@davidvanmersbergen5335]

When I have to describe quintessential Chopin and Romantic piano music, I use this piece (Barcarolle being the other). Autumnal in nature, this piece uses every bit of the pianist's technique & artistry to move the heart & mind to a beautiful place. Glad you like it.

[@andresantos_]

10:57: yesss👏👏👏, that was beutiful. I think he is not done 😗, I’ sorry 😀😅my bad guys. Ooo😳

[@iozef5256]

Greate reaction! You should react to Paganini variation-"Nel cor piu non mi sento" played Ziyu He.

[@GIDIREACTS]

Appreciate it! It's going on the list :)

[@bobbytran7520]

You should try Rach 2 piano concerto and his moment musicaux 3 and 4