F. Chopin - Ballade no. 4 in F minor op. 52 - Analysis. Greg Niemczuk's lecture.

[@hanshi3831]

Ballade No 4 is Chopin's greatest work, in my opinion. It takes me on a ride every time I listen. A dreamy and stormy masterpiece. 💜

[@gregniemczuk]

YES!!!!!!!

[@brianbernstein3826]

Chopin touches my heart in a way no other conposer can. He perfected every color of beauty and pain that the piano can express

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes yes yes!!!!!

[@worm_6863]

Brilliant lecture and outstanding interpretation! I cannot thank you enough for this; now I know what mindset to have going into the piece, and I truly understand the pain Chopin was in when composing this. An immense thank you Mr. Niemczuk from the depths of my heart!

[@gregniemczuk]

Your comment made my day!

[@zdzislawmeglicki2262]

Even when Chopin bangs at the keyboard in frustration... it still sounds beautiful.

[@leobozkir5425]

Your analyses on the 4 ballades and the waltzes of Chopin are amazing!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you! I'm happy to hear that!

[@rufuso4022]

This is one of the pieces I heard from Chopin that strikes me so deeply, I had depression when I was teenager and now the sweet sorrow of this melody always made me feel so melancholy, it’s so tinkling and elegant that I cant use enough vocabulary to describe… now I have the honor to learn this piece and practice, no matter how many times I repeat the ending it always feels so energetic and refreshing. It is indeed my favorite piece of Chopin even piano compositions in general. And your lecture definitely helped me understand this piece better and when I uncovered the musicality beneath the techniques, the techniques just came so naturally. I’m amazed

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks for such a touching comment!

[@Benjamin-fk2yo]

I almost can’t think of anyone with a more wonderful understanding of music than you, sir. The way you describe music and use little metaphors and gestures to explain certain feelings is beyond wonderful. Thank you so much for your personal analysis.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much!!!

[@loveispatient0808]

@@gregniemczukI wish you were my teacher!😊

[@gregniemczuk]

@@loveispatient0808 I love teaching! I also do very successful online guidance

[@deidorichandayo]

I am a casual piano player who knows nothing about music theory, but loves Chopin from the bottom of my heart, both listening and playing. I was shocked to have missed your content for so long, and right now I can't stop going through all your amazing lectures. Every analysis is insightful, but this video on ballad No.4 was on another level and brought me into a completely new paradigm of understanding this piece. Regardless of which I prefer, your discussion on the tempo of fast phrases was a huge surprise for me. And I also felt your respect to the competitive players from how you carefully choose your words expressing your pain on how the piece is commonly executed. Please keep up with your wonderful work, and I'm looking forward for more content that changes my perspective on the interpretation of Chopin's piece. Love from Japan :)

[@gregniemczuk]

Hello!! Your comment have made my day!! I recorded all those lectures for people just like you! Thank you very much for all your words and feelings. Enjoy the videos! Hopefully I can come to Japan to play some concerts and you can attend one of them!

[@deidorichandayo]

@@gregniemczuk Thanks for your reply! It will be awsome to listen to your interpretation in Japan! I will keep chasing your content so I won't miss.

[@yoonchun6945]

Agreed ❤❤

[@ntompkins]

Thank you for doing this to such an extreme level of professional and expertise. I have always loved this piece (I generally consider it the single greatest piece of piano music), but sitting through this analysis I feel connected to the passion and beauty that you are trying to share.

[@alex-plays8407]

Your love for this phenomenal masterpiece is infectious, Greg, and a joy to behold. I prefer it to the first ballade.

[@mickizurcher]

It’s more complex.

[@hiroshitanimoto6234]

Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!! I am a 74 years old Japanese living in the US who is completely out-of-music world and was just "hearing" classical music including Chopin in the past. I started "listening" Chopin just about 2 months ago. After about 50 more times of your each Chopin video, I might understand a part of his music. I have already been enjoying and appreciating his music more now. I will watch all of your videos although I don't know how long it may take. You made rest of my life richer. Again, Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!! from Michigan.

[@gregniemczuk]

I'm so touched reading your comment and beautiful words. Thank you! I did my best to talk about Chopin using sole words. By the end of this year there will be videos about all his piano music which he published during his life. Some videos are more difficult to understand, some easier. By the end of this year I will also put subtitles, also Japanese, to each video. It's a lot of work but I feel that it's worth it. Enjoy my music and words and all the best!

[@leonardosouza5591]

Analise perfeita! Você descreveu exatamente o que eu penso sobre esta obra, todo o desespero, raiva e dor de Chopin se construindo na melodia e de como as coisas poderiam ser diferentes! Eu me identifico com essa peça e a ouço quando não estou bem, é definitivamente a minha peça favorita!

[@Mazurking]

Greg I listen to this video late at night with my eyes closed. I wish nothing more. Thank you for these great videos with so much passion.

[@sampeng5216]

Thank you. Wonderful and deep analysis of my favourite Chopin master piece, the ballad #4 in F minor. Many people have analyzed this piece, but I'm so impressed with yours that I repeated watching it several times. Two thumbs way up!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you very much! Welcome! I invite you to watch my other analysies as well

[@gregniemczuk]

This was made during lockdown. No tuners available, sorry

[@richardyu4881]

Thank you for a fantastic lecture. I discover so many new things about this piece from listening to your analysis. I can feel your passion for this work from your energy in this video

[@gregniemczuk]

I love this piece with all my heart

[@nyc130]

Wow. I am amazed at your skilled analysis not only explaining the emotional states but also linking them to Chopin’s brilliant musicality in harmonies and composition.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much!

[@lucascury2003]

i have never seen such a smart guy talking about music. your channel is one of the best things that i have found this year. pleasures from Brasil!! i hope to see more perfect content from your channel!

[@gregniemczuk]

Obrigado!!! Thank you so much. Welcome!

[@franciscopetracco5553]

Hi, Greg! First of all, thank you for this great video! My 93 years old teacher recorded this Ballade some years ago. She is an incredible pianist and i find her Chopin interpretations very poetic. Recently, in your analysis, i sent you her Impromptu No. 1 interpretation, maybe you will remember. I would like to recommend her Ballade No. 4. For example, in that bridge you said pianists tend to play way too fast, she respects the "in tempo". I find specially beautiful the way she plays the climax and then the coda, so i will link the climax here for you! Greetings from Brazil!

[@franciscopetracco5553]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4HPYo19n997i7M

[@franciscopetracco5553]

Maybe you will find her interpretation a little exaggerated, after all she is an old school pianist. She is a real legend! Met Horowitz, Villa-Lobos etc. I hope you enjoy it!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much! It's a very beautiful playing!

[@rusl4nalentiev]

Hey, what's her name? I'm curious to hear her too!

[@franciscopetracco5553]

@@rusl4nalentiev her name is Dirce Knijnik. I've linked her performance of the Ballade 4 here

[@kerstinl8519]

Hi Greg! What an emotional analyze. You speak to me from the soul. I never had the idea to play this piece. I have played the third one and later the first Ballade. But last week, while I was practicing Polonaise op 53, Ballade Nr 4 came into my mind. Yesterday I was practicing the first pages , theme one. My neighbor aksed me, what I was playing. I told her and she said, she was crying whole time. What a pice. Thanks again for this fantastic video. My appreciation and respect for you. 🌟🎹🌟

[@mickizurcher]

Wow, what a great ballade, 💎you brought it to life. I really don’t know this piece much past the intro. You’re so right about the tempo.

[@finnianreilly1831]

Watching this video has inspired me to start learning at least the first few sections of this magnificent ballad. Mid and final sections are way out of my league, but that's ok. Will leave them for my next life. Finding the main theme very satisfying to play, and surprisingly easy to learn.

[@saymayfire]

this is an intimidating piece to approach for the first time. my professor has insisted that i give it a try for my next recital, and there are moments so complex it almost makes my eyes cross. this video was very helpful in untangling the complexities that chopin so masterfully wrote. many thanks

[@gregniemczuk]

Absolutely! My advice: practice a lot hands seperately!

[@syducer4905]

Love this analysis. Definitely my favorite piece ever and your explanation does it justice.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!

[@rushunnhfernandes]

This is fantastic. Both the playing and the whole journey through the video!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much for watching and your words! All the best from Poland

[@corynewman4136]

Greg's video should be viewed by every serious pianist, as well as anyone who really wants to understand the heart and soul of Chopin. This video lecture and demonstration is an absolute treasure. Thank you, Greg!

[@gregniemczuk]

I really appreciate your words. Welcome to my world!

[@christophejavon3509]

Fantastic lecture and beautiful playing. Very inspiring, thank you!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you very much!

[@connernehemiah6733]

You prolly dont care at all but does anybody know of a way to log back into an instagram account?? I stupidly forgot my password. I love any tips you can give me

[@armandolandry4544]

@Conner Nehemiah Instablaster ;)

[@connernehemiah6733]

@Armando Landry Thanks for your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im trying it out now. Seems to take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@connernehemiah6733]

@Armando Landry it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thank you so much, you really help me out!

[@joeguthriePIANO]

This is what I’ve been looking for. A pianist’s analysis of Ballade 4. Your passion for this piece is so great. Working on this now and look forward to watching this entire video for your perspective.

[@gregniemczuk]

Hello! Thank you so much! Enjoy ! I hope you will like it. And good luck with that!!!

[@bosiljkavujovic9376]

I love this ballad very very much, especially interpreted by Alexei Sultanov. thank you for your lecture.

[@stickpfp6347]

Every so often, I come back to watch this video! The song is so beautiful, and the way you explain everything is so filled with emotions! I can see your passion for this song, and it makes me want to learn the song

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!

[@wellingtonmendes9006]

Wonderful analisys. Thank you! Great pianist, great musician. The greatest witness that you are right in your interpretation, beyond what Chopin prescribed, is the beauty itself.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!! Yes! Chopin was always creating Beauty!

[@yoonchun6945]

Love and appreciate your analysis ❤!, well done 😊

[@fernan6857]

Pure beauty. Very heartfelt comments, Great job. congratulations

[@roym4498]

Thank you so much for the detailed analysis and demonstrations! This ballade is on my dream list, and you inspire me to go practice 😅

[@gregniemczuk]

Good luck!

[@chessematics]

Just found out your channel and I'm amazed. A sincere musician putting in his everything, trying to express everything he feels, struggling with English and still being so effective. Its a beautiful feeling to see people like you.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much for appreciation! I made these videos during the lockdown in 2020-2021, and I'm so happy to receive such a warm feedback! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👏

[@VCMD]

I was so attached to it when I heard it at a piano salon in Warsaw..imagine that impact. I've learnt most of its hardest part technique-wise..but now back to etudes because I am way far from being able to produce the tone I envision...

[@gregniemczuk]

It's endless work... Lifetime work...

[@floriankoch5238]

24:38 "yes, absolutely incredible moment" that sums it up very precisely

[@arkady3629]

You're doing us a great service sir! Keep up the great work. Chopin always tricks you into thinking that one composition stands above all others, until you listen to another great work of his and then change your mind again!

[@gregniemczuk]

Wonderful words! Thank you very much!!!

[@cristinaaguirre1596]

Really an outstanding master clas!! Many Thanks Greg.

[@simontabz]

What an excellent video. You completely captured my attention. It's always very nice to listen to someone so passionate about what they are talking about. I think I could listen to your analyses for days! I will definitely watch/listen to all the other ones!

[@gregniemczuk]

Wow, thanks for being here! How did you find this? Welcome! I love Chopin and last year when the pandemic started I decided to start with these videos. Now my plan is to make videos about all Chopin's music by the end of December. So there will be more than 100 videos to watch 😎😎😎

[@simontabz]

@@gregniemczukI was searching for "ballade" in the KZbin search as I frequently listen to all Ballades here on KZbin and I happened to stumble upon this video! Grateful for it. I have now already watched your Ballade no 1 video, will continue watching the others! Thank you for your content!

[@Namuchat]

Your explanations are so full of love and deep insight. Thank you very much! ❤

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!!!

[@sillyfillet]

Thank you for your lecture. I am learning this Ballade at the moment, and your analysis is very inspiring. It will help me better understand this masterpiece.

[@fatcatrises8084]

Thank you so much for your wonderfully astute, and soulful, analysis of this stunningly beautiful piece. The older I get, the less able I am to get through it without crying. Just devastatingly beautiful composing. Your analysis has opened to me some of the ways the music’s structure works its magic on me. Thank you again!

[@gregniemczuk]

Such beautiful words! Thank you! I know what you mean as I also feel something undescribable when I listen or play this music. Thanks for watching and feel invited to watch my other analysies!

[@BilalAtabeyOfficial]

This piece reveals a universe of musical expression in just over ten minutes. For me, the most beautiful piece in the piano repertoire. After closing your eyes, this Ballad will take you on a journey to a paradise with birds, sparkling water, the scent of the flowers and your thoughts on your loved one. This is how I experience this Ballad. Chopin, how blessed we are that you have lived on this earth..! Bilal Atabey Ps; Dear Greg, thanks so much again for this wonderful analysis..!

[@gregniemczuk]

Absolutely!!! Such beautiful words. Tha k you!

[@ainsam15]

Amazing explanation!

[@sparx1599]

58:04 one of the best moments in Chopin's music, and I like the way you play it unlike most pianists with too much passion and exaggeration, and 58:53 too

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!

[@alvinloh9068]

Thank you so much Greg, I've played this analysis video for a few times in this week to understand the ballade better! When I first heard this piece a few years ago, I immediately felt in love with it although I don't understand much about the motifs and structures of this piece, but the emotion and energy in this ballade is incredibly deep and immense, it is definitely one of Chopin's greatest compositions, or not the best in my humble opinion! Thanks for your effort!

[@gregniemczuk]

I agree with you. Thanks for watching! This is the reason why I'm making these videos!

[@younghokim1994]

Thank you so much for this lecture! :) Your playing is so sensitively beautiful.

[@gregniemczuk]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@biel6160]

I really appreciate your devotion to Chopin and the way you explain your own interpretation of the musicality of his pieces, as well as your opinion on other's performances and what not. This is such a beautiful piece, and this video is my second full lecture of yours that I've watched, first one being Ballade No. 1, which I'm learning right now, and was so helpful. I hope one day I'll be able to play Ballade No. 1 and Ballade No. 4. Kind of my life goals, and your videos have given me plenty of inspiration and motivation to keep going. Your lectures are great, thank you so much!

[@gregniemczuk]

I'm really happy to hear that. Those are really fantastic pieces of music. Being able to play them is a blessing! Good luck!

[@enricoagudo6388]

sir i think you spoke with chopin on your way to earth thank you

[@gregniemczuk]

Wow....

[@palsullivan6790]

I've learnt this piece in my late teens, and after watching your video, you made me realize I didn't really understand this piece! Now I am motivated to learn it all over again, more slowly and applying your insight. Thank you for your videos, the analysis helps a lot and keeps me playing !

[@gregniemczuk]

Great to hear! Enjoy relearning this masterpiece!

[@scottdabney6795]

Thank you for this deep insight into my favorite composer. May I offer one personal interpretation of the 5 variations on first theme? It supports your earlier observation that this, of all the ballades of Chopin, is the most open to different ways of interpretation. To my way of hearing, he is not 5 different versions of a self (bipolar.. etc) ... it is just two... the child playing for his teacher, or mother or father... he is saying to me 'is this enough?' and must ask 5 times 'how about now?'. Only after refinement in each variation does he find the attention of the Maestro. Subjective indeed. Thank you again Greg for this.

[@edaniel927]

Outstanding analysis, very unique. Many thanks 🙏.

[@thomassophocles6757]

Thank you so much for this wonderful analysis!!!

[@gregniemczuk]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@ДаниилБунаев-ю7и]

Спасибо Вам большое! Изумительная лекция!

[@JG_1998]

greatest piece of chopins and the greatest contrapuntal achievement in musical history

[@gregniemczuk]

Absolutely Yes!

[@Mimikinm]

59:30 nice interpretation. It also bangs my heart too 😭

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

[@xevivr]

I'm just impressed with ur humbleness to teach each n every possible thing necessary in chopin music ❤

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!!!

[@quazart_piano]

Thank you very much for this excellent, captivating analysis : I'm presently learnig this extraordinary masterwork and fully agree with you. Chopin's indications are very precise, most pianists don't respect them, and do prefer exhibition of their virtuosity. I hope most Chopin's lovers will watch this video and take profit of it !

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much! Yes, I decided to be brave enough to share this unpopular opinion of mine. Thanks God I will not attend any competitions any more! Hahaha. Very similar problem came in Scherzo no.3, analysis of which I'll publish tonight! All the best!

[@PedroCristian]

Thank you for sharing your love with this masterpiece. Interesting remarks on speed.

[@gregniemczuk]

We have such problems in more pieces. Scherzo no.2 for example... Or some Etudes..

[@landryessono8267]

L'introduction de cette ballade mérite à elle seule un son complet. Ce son serait déjà l'un des top 10 de l'histoire

[@gregniemczuk]

I agree!! Merci!

[@gines6234]

I am amazed by how a good communicator you are (as well as good pianist). I loved the way you clearly express each of the sections, it feels like you are the talking voice of Chopin music. Thanks a lot for this moment!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!!! I put all my heart to this project

[@Miguel-q7m]

Great work

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks

[@legolaslee2098]

thank you very much sir, you are giving the voice and form for what we hear and feel. I'm whatching 1 your video at a week, need time to assorb all that beauty! hope to see the analisys for Nocturne op.48 n.1, your channer is unique! deserves more views!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!! More than "more Views" I appreciate the viewers like you! Of course, this year I'm doing a project of all Chopin's music. Nocturnes are scheduled for August! All the best!

[@gregniemczuk]

the analysis of Nocturne op. 48 no. 1 is finally done !

[@annacerbara4257]

Of course everything is great as always ... having been the waltz op. 69 no. 2 the first piece by Chopin I was confronted with at the age of 8 perhaps (I don't remember exactly) I immediately recognized that segment of the same melody in both pieces, at the third bar of the waltz and at bar 15/16 of this 4th ballad: seven notes (considering only once the G flat repeated four times in the ballad): fa, sol, fa, do, mi, re, si; in the ballad, due to the different tonality, it is half a tone lower, but the intervals are the same. I have not checked whether this melody returns rigorously unchanged every time it occurs both in the waltz and in the ballad, but in both cases it is distinctly recognizable ... Thank you for these wonderful videos which always provide opportunities for new discoveries. 🎼 🌿 🌻

[@kailarochelle6322]

One more thank you. After spending the day going back and forth to your videos and seeing and hearing how you break things down and sometimes play very slowly I have decided to try to play this piece again using midi, very slowly but with the reverence and love for doing things at the pace I need, You have changed my attitude towards expression using midi slowly to interpret from frustrating due to my disabilities to enjoy every note and nuance possible, You are a great great teacher . You are a great humanitarian for doing what you are doing, sharing your gifts far and wide, Thank you. May you always have success and happiness,

[@jeglop]

The slowest I found this ballade played is by Vadim Chaimovich -- almost 13 minutes. The fastest I think is by Khatia Buniatishvili -- a little over 10 minutes. Both are good, with different nuances. Thanks for your lectures, Greg!

[@kailarochelle6322]

Thank you for this analysis. I used to perform this piece in public and could create a lot of nuance but now that my disabilities have made it impossible to practice much I rely on midi with help which can be successful .Am redoing a mazurka after watching your videos.It felt so frustrating not to be able to play the Ballade so I put it into midi and cannot stand a lot of the result to be honest. Your amazing lesson here will be our guide. It will have to be a totally mental approach as the tracks are in, note by note, but your video is so helpful I will not give up . I had to put each section in playing slowly. I understand now what is wrong with the midi performance. Note by note mentally thank you thank you. I will watch this video over and over again. It is wonderful. The music history you provide is a gift to humanity. Thank you for all you do. Of course on acoustic piano there is a lot of spontaneous nuance in a public performance.

[@Zdanler]

Hello mr greg can you please explain what happened in the harmony ? And what make them so Incredible ? 21:51 thank you ❤

[@krimkara27]

excellent! thank you so much for breaking this down. it's hard not to weep at the depth of the emotion in this piece.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!!

[@christopheschollaert6360]

Cette ballade est magnifique. Au début, tu parles de l introduction de cette pièce, qui serait l une des plus belle introduction, si pas, la plus belle jamais écrite par Chopin. Et tu as raison, elle est splendide Je voulais simplement partager avec toi que, selon mon ressenti, la plus belle introduction de Chopin est celle du Krakowiak op 14. Comme dans cette ballade, Chopin introduit une douceur infinie, une chaleur tellement agréable, juste parfaite... Et puis, un contraste saisissant avec la rage dans le Krakowiak, et puis cette tristesse dans cette ballade. Bonne journée!!

[@Makankii]

I am learning this piece rn, this is very helpfull, i have new insight of this ballade, and this piece is veryy beautiful, tysm for the lecture

[@misterteatime1840]

Thank you for making this video. . . I'm learning it currently and really struggling with the section of polyrhythms and was great to see/hear you trying different speeds. I like the slower tempo too.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you! Yes! No need to rush and, most of all, Chopin doesn't tell us that!

[@BladeStormElectro]

Thank you a lot for all your explications of chopin pieces ! I discovered you recently & I enjoy many of your videos. I like that you try to give a lot of context & anecdotes on each piece instead of going into technical details & with a little humor :D. Being able to more explain the music for non-musicians as you do is really nice ! About this piece I'm really frustrated that the begining stops as I find the melody really awesome but that's always what chopin does. Sometimes he gives us heaven-like melody & change the mood right away haha. Greetings from france

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes! He does that so often!! It's annoying also for me 😊. Thank you for your words and for watching those videos of mine! Best wishes from Poland

[@NateHays]

I read in the music something more dynamic in the arc of each pass through the theme. Pain, loss, sorrow, yes, but then a beautiful, burgeoning love arises immediately on the way to the inner cadence. The sequencing to Ab shows the same pain from which beauty arises. Loss (minor), agony (diminished), yet the beauty amidst will eternally survive. Death comes and passes, beauty never fully diminishes. It's the same I get from the opening with the dual lines simultaneously following decrescendo/crescendo. The interplay of loss and joy from any given moment to another.

[@gregniemczuk]

Beautiful comment. Thank you

[@ibrahimsusbach4649]

I love that melody when u play in minute 23.00-23.30

[@so-flog1123]

Thank you so much for this wonderful analysis and precious advices ! It’s the first time I hear this ballad played at this speed indeed ^^ Greetings from France 🎹

[@kencrotty3984]

I feel sure that Chopin could never have reached the pinnacle of creative genius, without his illness, that this piece so epitomises -without pathologising; the genie has only been able to be let-out-of the bottle, via this route!

[@xibrune]

I really hope You will record this ballade

[@gregniemczuk]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i33bgpeErN-GrNUsi=ZuPiIfPKmI3AM1NN

[@slawomirkijak8097]

Najserdeczniej dziękuję za te wspaniaļe, bardzo poglębione analizy! Takie podejscie do tekstu tych tak bardzo zlożonych intelektualnie jak też pokazujących calą paletę ludzkich emocji i uczuç, utworow, powoduje, że po wysluchaniu szczegolnie tej ballady, jestem wyczerpany emocjonalnie! Dzieki Panu, panie Grzegorzu, moge byc pewny i spokojny, ze moj odbior muzyki Chopina jest zgodny z intencjami kompozytora! Podązam we wlasciwym kierunku do poznania istoty tej jakze bogatej duchowo muzyki! Cieszę się, że mam jeszcze tyle Pana filmöw przed sobą! Pozdrawiam z Estonii, gdzie muzyka Frycka ma należne jej miejsce!😊

[@gregniemczuk]

Dzień dobry. Dziękuję bardzo za te słowa! Jestem pewien, że każdy, kto poszukuje i odkrywa Prawdę w muzyce Chopina, doświadcza go i jego geniuszu zdecydowanie silniej! Serdecznie pozdrawiam

[@wagneryumiko788]

😊thank you so much for your teaching! This is my favorite piece. It’s so beautiful!! But this piece is too difficult for normal piano teacher,so I had no teacher in my town.Your teaching is very important for me.

[@gregniemczuk]

Hello! I'm so happy to hear that but I also feel sorry for you.... I'm teaching online, (Skype) and actually it works surprisingly well, so if you play this piece and want some advices, please write me on my email [e-mail] and we can discuss the details. Best of luck!!!!

[@ethans-d6105]

thank you so so much for sharing your spirit and talent with the internet, and all for free! watched every minute of it, thanks you so very much. I agree that this piece feels viceral and personal in a certain way that a lot of piano works don't really tap into, and for that reason I'm doing my best to learn this monster of a piece.

[@jonathanpagel]

This is a brilliant lecture. Anyone who plays Chopin should watch.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you very much! My idea is to inspire people to look deeper.

[@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji]

The recapitulation of the second section in the climax before the coda is one of the most chills giving passages in the history of music, sich pensive, masterful writing! Chopin was a genius!

[@1NBLOG]

💐Admiro tu forma de acercarnos de la forma mas bella a la música "clásica" a la preciosa música de Chopin! Tu análisis es pura pasión , tu interpretación es delicada conexión con el compositor!!💐😍😘

[@naTure-vs2ef]

I cant say how much i adore this piece especially the begining and its repeated in the middle alsoo

[@gregniemczuk]

Me too!

[@brucehain]

They clapped there, and I really didn't deserve it! Someone with some knowledge said I should have just stopped there. I'm almost 70 now and may not play again in a such a situation; but being forewarned, believe I could bring it off now without having anyone clap at the wrong time. You're not the only accomplished pianist (definitely not my category) I know of who had someone clap there. (two actually - so I don't feel so bad. ((but really it was disastrous all the way through))

[@gregniemczuk]

Indeed!!!!!!

[@brucehain]

@@gregniemczuk The guy I heard - got posted on KZbin by someone else, not sure what relation, or motive, just a short clip - was quite good, South Korean I think. Super technical command and sounded beautiful to me - it's just that they clapped. With me back in the '70s it had been ensuing breakdown almost from the beginning. Speaking of which, you play the beginning as beautifully as I've ever heard it. Unaffected, beautiful as it should be.

[@gregniemczuk]

@@brucehain thank you so much Bruce

[@Cody-vo6yk]

Appreciations from Hong Kong!! Fantastic video, thank you so much!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!

[@ottohadinata1978]

Thank you for the amazing lecture. I am currently working on this and i am quite struggling but this lecture helps me to get a big picture of this piece and opens my mind that playing classical needs more score study to know all of the details which the composer wants. Thank you very much.

[@gregniemczuk]

My pleasure! Good luck with this challenge! I'm happy that it's helpful! Please share it if you feel like. Currently I'm publishing these analysies every week and until the end of 2021 there will be such videos about all Chopin's music! Best wishes! Greg

[@ottohadinata1978]

Hi Greg. Yes i definitely really like it. Also i love the sound and the way you interpreted this Ballade. And the point that you said, no need to rush, just follow on what it is written on the score. Such as the accelerando part, should be done in the bar that has Accel mark, don't do before of after that, just in the bar that has the accel mark. The score tells us everything. I often do not follow the score and it makes me struggling to play this Ballade. I just noticed, i rushed a lot and i could not get the control and ignore all of the harmonic progressions. Thank you for opening my mind. Yes please do more analysis videos. I would love to if you do more Baroque as well. I need to understand more the basic structure. Thanks a lot Greg 😊

[@albertelias865]

Please record yourself playing this! Id love to hear the full rendition

[@gregniemczuk]

I will do it soon!!

[@albertelias865]

@@gregniemczukthank you! Your rendition is the best ive ever heard :)

[@gregniemczuk]

@@albertelias865 thank you so much!

[@zebulonspruijt1645]

Thanks a lot for your interesting analysis and comments on this masterpiece. I've been playing this piece for a long time and it's definitely one of my all-time Chopin favorites. I'm wondering, considering your comments on most pianists often playing passages too fast: what is your personal favorite performer of this ballade? I've always like Bolet's version quite lot (and the slowest I could find, over 12 minutes). Friedman being the fastest (close to 10 minutes).

[@tunestone3071]

Brilliant!!

[@fluffydk]

Absolutely fantasic and useful. I hope you make a video with Rach's second sonata soon.

[@finnianreilly1831]

I became interested recently in Ballad No 4 after listening a number of times to the version played by the mysterious youtuber known as Rousseau. (Does anyone know his real name). While it is not my favorite ballad by Chopin, I really love the main theme of No 4 with it's haunting pain and melancholy and unforgettable melody and rhythm. The way it repeats many times reminds me a bit of Op 55 no 1 nocturne. Also they have notes that are repeated. As a complete piano piece it is out of my league to play, but I think I could perhaps learn to play the opening themes. And so I came to Greg looking for analysis, which is fantastic as always. Very enlightening! so thank you Greg.

[@Axelelelel]

Listen to Zimmerman's performance, you'll love every single moment in this ballade

[@vulkanosaure]

Please, also listen to alfred cortot. He's considered a legend in chopin's interpretation, i am usually not a fan, but his interpretation of the 4th balade is so intuitive and natural

[@MrHector133]

I recommend to listen to Krystian Zimmerman's Interpretation

[@ibrahimsusbach4649]

Do you have full performance of this song ? I really like chopin song especially ballade in f minor. The song make me have a beautiful feeling 😌

[@gregniemczuk]

Unfortunately not yet. But I will record it!

[@ibrahimsusbach4649]

Thank you for the reply. Alright, i'll be wait the notification from your youtube channel. can't wait to hear it!

[@mattiataccuso6435]

Where can I listen to your complete performance of this ballade? (Awesome video, cheers from Italy)

[@gregniemczuk]

Not yet recorded. But I'll record it soon this year. Where are you from?

[@mattiataccuso6435]

​From Italy, close to Milan❤️️​@@gregniemczuk

[@gregniemczuk]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i33bgpeErN-GrNUsi=ZuPiIfPKmI3AM1NN

[@denaro572]

Awesome lecture. Loved it!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks!

[@vulkanosaure]

Thank you so much for this dedicated Work. Ballads are my favourite serie from chopin and although it's really hard to pick, the 4th is probably my favourite. Hearing your analysis widen my understanding and appreciation of it even more. Do you love the barcarolle of chopin ? I would love to hear your comments about it, this is another work from chopin that stands at the same level for me.

[@gregniemczuk]

Hi! Thank you so much. Of course there's an analysis of the Barcarole here:: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGWliH98ntObqMU There are analyses of all Chopin works!!!

[@bert2278]

Parfaitement d'accord avec vous sur le tempo du 2ème pont! De plus, ce passage n'est pas du tout écrit pour la virtuosité, , mais pour marquer des vagues successives, et le seul fait de monter dans le clavier suffit à en accentuer le caractère.

[@gregniemczuk]

Exactament!! Merci!

[@motivationhub849]

im stuck on the polyrhythms on this part 53:00 . how do i do it?

[@gregniemczuk]

Try with the metronome, hands separately to realize how exactly they should play. Than okay one time left hand, one time right hand, left and right, many times, after that try to play them together. In the end think only about the right hand , while left hand will adjust by itself. But right hand is the most important

[@motivationhub849]

@@gregniemczuk thank you i implemented this and got through most of that part already. im stuck at the end with the part that speeds up. any tips?

[@gregniemczuk]

@@motivationhub849 divide it into smaller groups and practice each of the separately, and than put them together one by one.

[@motivationhub849]

@@gregniemczuk do you teach? if so lmk, bc im trying to learn as much of this song as possible to perform

[@gregniemczuk]

@@motivationhub849 yes I do Skype lessons. Write me on [e-mail]

[@jenskluge7188]

Right now I am playing through this ballade in f minor. After a long time, I finally like and understand it. And now I wonder what this chord in bar 194 is. It's at the end of the wavelike motion that reminds of Chopin's last etude. I identified it as French sixth chord on Db (or is it something else?). The augmented sixth resolves into the octave as it should, but then the note f doesn't move down to e but instead 'the g moves up to Ab, so we are now in f flat minor instead of C major and, besides, in an unstable f minor second inversion chord. Or is it part of the story, since after that it goes through a series of wild cadences in a sort of quest to find its C major, but only finally in bar 202 it finds the resolution. It could have a meaning. Oh, and before I forget it: I think that there is no extra tempo marking for the coda because there already was a stretto shortly before and there is not ritardando since then. So the coda *is* indeed beginning a little faster than the standard tempo of the piece and this fact is already written out in Chopin's score.