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

#allchopin #chopin #chopinproject #lecture
Concert pianist describes and analizes Chopin's Masterpieces for the piano.
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[@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!!!!!!!

[@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!

[@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!

[@zdzislawmeglicki2262]

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

[@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

[@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

[@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!!!!!

[@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

[@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. 🌟🎹🌟

[@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!

[@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.

[@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...

[@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!

[@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!

[@fernan6857]

Pure beauty. Very heartfelt comments, Great job. congratulations

[@syducer4905]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@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!

[@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

[@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!!💐😍😘

[@xibrune]

I really hope You will record this ballade

[@ДаниилБунаев-ю7и]

Спасибо Вам большое! Изумительная лекция!

[@mji71]

Imagine if Chopin lived another 39 years. Imagine…

[@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.

[@Mimikinm]

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

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

[@JG_1998]

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

[@gregniemczuk]

Absolutely Yes!

[@cristinaaguirre1596]

Really an outstanding master clas!! Many Thanks Greg.

[@ibrahimsusbach4649]

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

[@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!

[@Zdanler]

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

[@edaniel927]

Outstanding analysis, very unique. Many thanks 🙏.

[@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.

[@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!!

[@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!

[@bosiljkavujovic9376]

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

[@thomassophocles6757]

Thank you so much for this wonderful analysis!!!

[@gregniemczuk]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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 🎹

[@younghokim1994]

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

[@gregniemczuk]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@Ivan_1791]

I think the very end of the Coda symbolizes the main character jumping from a high place and commiting suicide.

[@gregniemczuk]

😦😔😔😔😔😔

[@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!

[@miguelisaurusbruh1158]

couldn't stop smiling

[@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

[@floriankoch5238]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!!!!

[@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

[@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?

[@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!

[@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!

[@provermeg]

Hello Greg, today i finished to watch the whole video, and I just want it to continue so its good that this is something i can hear again and again, and that you have more videoes like this 💖💖💖 i listened while working (cleaning trains-alone) and while walking my dog, and it must be the best thing i have ever listened to- because first of all i dont focus on what i have to do, i just fly through the job and have a good time while working good without realizing i am doing what I usually feel is heavy work. And because when I usually want to just finish quick and get done with the work or the walk with my dog, i slow down and take extra roads to walk more and more until my dog needs to be carryed😂 and the clock says i have been using my pause to clean slow so I can be in this wonderful state of mind for as long as possible 😂 i really wanted to be able to walk the dog more because winter makes her fat... so now i know how 😄😄 i can inspire her to walk more, with good energy flow💖 if you remember i talked to you, last person in Kongsberg last time you were here. I have send email to this app i am using, to get them to add this song . They only have ballade nr.1. So you are my piano teacher now, and hopefully one day i will be able to play for you too, and i look forward to hearing what you think about what I play, since i have my own way of playing, i dont know why but I like to play the way i think sound good or maybe bacause something Else is difficult, or both. I referred to you saing this is the best piece ever, to the piano app. In your and mine opinion. And i Said if they watch this video they will be convinced that they should have this song on their app. And ofchorse, i shared this video to everyone i know that have passion for piano music after just watching the first part, you-and this song-and your talking about this song is absolutely amazing, thank you so much for sharing and giving your knowledge 💖 thank you thank you thank you from me and me dog 😄😄🥰😍🎼🎼🎶🎶🎵🎵🐕

[@gregniemczuk]

I remember you of course! I remember very well! So nice to read your comment! And this comment is so beautiful! I'm so happy knowing that my videos have such a deep impact on you. See you again in the Spring!!

[@ewapiano1222]

Hello what a surprice so early film!greetingsE

[@ewapiano1222]

amazing

[@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!

[@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!!!

[@akelofgren9468]

Interest common in nr.2,3,4 short long short long short long,good take it slower feel not compete COMPETE

[@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!

[@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.

[@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. 🎼 🌿 🌻

[@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).

[@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.

[@enricoagudo6388]

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

[@gregniemczuk]

Wow....

[@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

[@shawnwilliamson9267]

Isn’t it ironic that people clap on a fifth degree cadenza in c major when the piece is in f munor. The 3 chords do not sound resolved what so ever before the cadenza. You have to be distracted to clap at that moment clearly😆

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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 !

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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,

[@khanhdang7014]

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

[@fernan6857]

Please, could you try analysis with fantasie impromptu, ❤️

[@gregniemczuk]

Ok!!!

[@fernan6857]

@@gregniemczuk 👍

[@Rose-zg9pu]

54:40 more of a nocturnal tempo, reminds me of op 27 no 2.

[@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!

[@ErwinvanderSpek]

Thank you!!

[@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

[@PeterFamiko-lw8ue]

17 annoying advertisments during this video, absolutely unacceptable

[@gregniemczuk]

Hi Peter. I have to explain it to you. Every time you see this stupid advertisement, I get a small revenue for my work. Thanks to this those videos are free for all of you in the world. I don't charge for them, I made such video about every Chopin's piece of music, it was a hard work. I don't get huge money for that, but every month KZbin pays me something from those adverts..... I hope thinking about that will change your opinion. I also hate those ads..... but I want this content to be free for everyone!

[@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!

[@josephlee392]

Thanks for a fantastic lecture! When you were discussing how Chopin cried when he saw that his Polonaise was being played too fast ... may you point to me where you found that information from? I'd really love to learn more about this.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks. Sure! It's in a few books. But the original is: C.E & M. Hallé - Life and letters of Sir Charles Hallé, London, 1896

[@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!

[@jonathanteller6550]

7:45 Why doesn't it continue? He must have known that he had just written 20 seconds of deeply beautiful music. Why not continue it for another 60 seconds? Did he want to, but could not create any more beauty? Or did he intentionally change the mood? Is it like that first bite of chocolate, that tastes so divine, that the second and third bites can in no way match? Is he intentionally only giving us one small bite of chocolate, so that we may savor it properly. So that we may yearn for another bite?

[@gregniemczuk]

Wonderfully explained!!! He does that sometimes in other pieces too!!

[@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!!!

[@chowkammoonckm82]

Greg, thank you again for your detailed analysis so that I have learnt a lot! Meanwhile, I would like to share with you the following piece of music. Do you think the shocking climax just before the final coda of this ballade is very similar to the another shocking climax passage before the ending of a piece called "Morte", Op. 15 No. 3, from Trois Morceaux dans le Genre pathétique, by the French composer Charles-Valentin Alkan? I presume Chopin knew this piece as Alkan was Chopin's friend when Chopin lived in France. (please note that the climax from 9:40-9:52). Both passages produce the most dramatic shock to the listeners. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4CqoZ-PnLaCkM0

[@gregniemczuk]

Wow!!! It's very similar! And that piece was composed 5 years before Chopin's Ballade. For sure he knew it! Incredible. It just have been his inspiration!!!

[@shayanpazhandi1799]

Dear Greg. Where and how can we find or buy original chopin edition scores? not just for the ballads but all other pieces. waltzes, nocturnes etc. If they are available online, what do we search?

[@gregniemczuk]

Jan Ekier National Edition

[@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!!!

[@Namuchat]

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

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!!!

[@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! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👏

[@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

[@organman52]

You have no business playing this masterpiece.

[@gregniemczuk]

You know, that was recorded 3 years ago..... In 2024 I'm playing it in Wiener Konzerthaus, Prague Rudolfinum, Zurich Tonhalle, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan and many more .... Come if you can to see if you're still right. Happy New Year!

[@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!

[@xevivr]

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

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!!!

[@Liborun]

Hello! I am late for this, but I wonder if we could play this First theme not too slow, not like 1,2,3,4,5,6, rather 134,456 like a.... Maybe waltz? If so. By the time Chopin write a tempo or in tempo, it would be much fluent, because if you play too slow like in the video,you are making every mote important, of course we hear everything, but by making every note important, it becomes also less important, because we lose the structure of the melody, after all it is like a variation of the theme yes? I am not sure, too slow will make it sound a little bit static. This just my humble opinion:) otherwise I really like your analysis!!! So fantastic!

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes, maybe we can. Than as you say, everything would be in a faster tempo. But I somehow prefer a slower one, more poetic. But maybe I'll change my perspective in the future 😃

[@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..

[@Cody-vo6yk]

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

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!

[@dariostarsky8124]

Witaj Grzegorz! Przede wszystkim... Thank you very much for this ever so detailed dismantling of this masterpiece! I'm not going to go into details what this piece does to me ... suffice it to say my tear ducts need some serious rehydration after listening to it (not unlike Op.48 No.1, Op. 23 and a few others) ;) I'm going to skip all the praise for your musical soul and skill - that goes without saying. I do, however, have one thing that has been on my mind since I first heard Idil Biret"s interpretation of this Ballade (link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXPMfWSMd9h4btU). I would like to hear your opinion on it, since you seem to talk extensively on Chopin's INTENDED form of expression. At 10:08/10:09 Idil articulates one note, like no other pianist I have ever heard (at least to my knowledge). I must say I was waiting in anticipation to hear your take on it, but at 58:54 you, pretty much, flew through that part like just about every other piano player. For some reason my gut tells me that Idil's subtle emphasis on this note was how Chopin himself would have liked to have it played.... What do You think, then? Am I talking rubbish, or perhaps there may be something to it? I'm certainly not nit-picking, as I do not play myself (much to my dismay), however, having been listening to Chopin (obsessively) for decades, I have in my head perfect/ idealised versions of many of his masterpieces. Regardless of all that, I wish you all the best and would like to thank you again for ... Everything! Cheers, mate!!!

[@gregniemczuk]

Ohh... I just found the time to listen to it. Well, I know what you mean. I personally don't like stopping on this note as it disturbs the singing phrase. What's more, I'm fighting with my students who do that, as it also makes it easier to play since the left hand has a big jump there. So some pianist wait there to make it easier to play, just like Idil, but if we sing the melody it's not natural to stop just a few notes before the end of the phrase. Think about this melody as the opera aria and you'll understand. I hope I convinced you!

[@dariostarsky8124]

@@gregniemczuk Maestro! Dzięki, że znalazłeś czas na odpisanie. As far as the actual subject of my message, it is not about conviction what is right, but rather what, for some reason, sounds so much more profound and rich to me; I was curious what your opinion on it was. And since every pianist plays it in a very similar way, I am sure that is dictated by the way it is written. So, again, thank you for finding the time to get back to me on this. Btw, foro the past 10 days or so (after watching your, as well as Paul Barton's tutorials), I can't get this scherzo out of my head. .... But that's fairly normal to me ;). Cheers again!!!

[@chopinfanclub6672]

I pray for miracle