F. Chopin - Ballade no. 2 in F major op. 38 - Analysis. Greg Niemczuk's lecture.

[@LisztofKuwait]

Outstanding Lecture and performance. I can’t believe I’ve just watched a one hour KZbin video. Felt like very few minutes. Very enjoyable and very informative and heart-warming. Thank you Mr. Greg! I am truly honored to have met a great and very humble person such as yourself!

[@gregniemczuk]

Hi dear Faisal! I deeply appreciate your words! Whenever you have time, see my other videos about Ballade no. 1 or ALL the Mazurkas! Hope to see you again sooner or later! Good luck!

[@sasanrahmatian312]

This is a better world because Mr. Niemczuk is in it.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you, it's touching

[@sylvestercoffee7212]

This may seem rather silly but I'm going to share it anyway. Aside from the obvious talent Greg has as a pianist and musician/ teacher I always enjoy seeing him in his suit jackets. It brings back the great memories I have of my piano teacher who would always be wearing a suit jacket. He was a gentle and kind man as I suspect Greg is as well. I miss my old piano teacher so m I ch as he passed away in 2005.

[@sissi7746]

I agree. Maestro Niemczuk proves his elegance either performing on stage or lecturing us about Chopin’s masterpieces. His choice of colours remains also somewhat restrained yet fitting the circumstances perfectly.

[@fracor6010]

Thank you! I am a self learner pianist with no technique and studying the ballade. I love your passion for it. It's so authentic, competent and sweet. 😘

[@gregniemczuk]

Wonderful! Good luck with this! It's really a challenge especially for a self-taught man!

[@bigl5343]

If attempting this piece as a self-taught pianist implies that you have decent chops. Consider taking some formal lessons. A third person perspective from a good teacher can identify technical issues and provide direction to correct such problems. If you desire to remain private, look up Taubman method. There are books, dvds, and likely youtube videos of Taubman teaching how to approach and correct technique.

[@fracor6010]

@@bigl5343 Thank you! Unfortunately in my case, I miss all kinds of techniques being a self-learner, and I don't really think I have any chance of playing it decently. But all tips are welcome!

[@bigl5343]

@@fracor6010 Still look into technique. Even if starting as an adult, studying technique is still worth while. One quality that made Taubman's lectures exceptional is the clarity of how she explained and demostrated common technical problems and providing solutions that are easily understood. Even if not able to do advance repetoire like this Ballade, improving technique will lead to better playing, a more relaxed posture, and yeild a more pleasurable experience at the keyboard no matter the difficulty of the piece.

[@chopinfanclub6672]

@@fracor6010 how long have u been playing?

[@richardyu4881]

Thanks for this long analysis, it’s well worth sitting through all the ads. I like you demonstrating the different counting of the left and right hand to create the sense of anxiety in the stormy section. And I like your pointing out all the waves throughout the piece acting like an uniting element. This was one of the harder Chopin works for me to relate to, but after watching this video, I may look at this piece differently now

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much!!! Damn it! I must turn off the ads between! Thanks for mentioning it. And thanks for your comment!

[@klippklapp3004]

What a beautiful analysis. Especially the way you explained and played the beginning is marvelous!

[@willhirst-x4x]

I could listen to your analysis all day long and not get anything done. Once someone has embraced the music of Chopin there is no going back. I can play the first part of this piece, but the second part is beyond my capabilities. But this is not an issue, because the first part is so amazing that that's all I need. Your enthusiasm makes the piece even more fascinating than it was already.

[@Noracfxwc]

I come back and watch this at least 3 times a week

[@gregniemczuk]

Incredible!!!

[@mariabundgard]

Wonderful and generous lecture! Thank you very much! It reminded me of my beloved classes with Robert Morawski in Warszawa back in the days...

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you Maria!! That's great to hear!

[@akikoyanagisawa3916]

Thank you for brilliant analyses. I understood more about one of my most favourite Chopin pieces. It is most chilling and tragic Ballade , yet speechlessly beautiful, showcasing the genius of the composer

[@asmo_1929]

I congratulate you for all the thorough research! I love all these comments and conversations you compile into these videos, very interesting information

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!!!!

[@sampeng5216]

Love your wonderful and enthusiastic analysis. Thank you.

[@simontabz]

Excellent analysis on what probably is my favorite ballade. I never thought of any story while listening to this piece but everything you said just makes so much sense! I love especially the part with the dialogue. Now I'm feeling more motivated to learn this piece after learning Ballade No. 1! If only this wasn't so difficult. This piece is just full of anxiety, stress, and fear. It is excellent!

[@MaestroGeo]

If you play No.1 you can play No. 2. Jump in there!

[@dancohenhemsi163]

Thank you Professor Greg!!! I suggest your videos to my students and your lectures have inspired my teaching and my playing! If you want I can show you few cool things on the second Sonata that I play :)

[@dancohenhemsi163]

Of course I have watched you amazing lecture of this Sonata, this is how I met your videos. And than I became addicted!

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes please!

[@dancohenhemsi163]

@@gregniemczuk the Bridge between 1st and 2nd themes is a rhytmhical augmentation of theme 1 The Coda of 2nd theme, Triollas of quarrters, is the motive of the Scherzo (I noticed that while practicing the left hand alone...)

[@sillykatttt]

THIS IS SO AMAZING WOW O MY GOSH DAMN THANK YOU THIS MADE THE BALLADE SO CLEAR IN MY MIND YOU ARE SUCH A GIFTED PERSON THANK YOU FOR THIS, THAT WAS A MAGICAL LECTURE :DDDDDD

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@inga9788]

Excellent! Thank you! I enjoyed your brilliant lecture and wonderful playing!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you very much for these kind words

[@organman52]

To say, regarding the first two measures, that "we can 'do' nothing" is perfectly accurate, except for one thing. Chopin wrote the dynamic 'sotto voce,' not 'piano,' not 'mezzo piano,' just 'sotto voce.' We must not 'decide' to play it many different ways. The only way is the way Chopin indicated. This Ballade is ablaze with light. We either see it or we don't.

[@bert2278]

Excellente analyse, très finement et très complètement menée! C'est un vrai plaisir, merci. Très belle interprétation, également.

[@gregniemczuk]

Merci!! ☺️☺️☺️

[@SeaRasp]

This is an amazing analysis, it makes me appreciate the piece even more than I already did

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks!

[@ewapiano1222]

Good evening Maesto,how nice to meet you and your-Chopin's music again.Greetings from Poland, Warsaw,Chopin's town

[@williwam7275]

Brilliant video. I'm starting to study this piece in school and am really looking forward to it.

[@gregniemczuk]

Hi! And how did it go?

[@donvarner3891]

AHHHHHH I can’t tell you enough how much I love and appreciate these videos which you post. I love watching them and they are very enjoyable. Thank you

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much!

[@magdalenawozniak5838]

Jesteś genialny! Uwielbiam Chopina! A w szczególności jego Scherza i Ballady. Dziękuję za to, co robisz. Nie miałam przyjemności obejrzeć analizy w całości jeszcze, ale obejrzę na pewno! I to nie tylko tę! Genialne!

[@gregniemczuk]

Bardzo dziękuję!! Zapraszam do oglądania! Nowe odcinki pojawiają się co tydzień, a jest też mnóstwo starych 🙂

[@vincyfung]

Your analysis is brilliant 👏👏👏 I do appreciate the piece so much more ! Thanks again !

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much dear Vincy!

[@dariamarshininapianist9832]

Dear Greg, thank you very much for this amazing lecture! It is a big inspiration for me while learning this wonderful piece. Many greetings from Hamburg.

[@gregniemczuk]

Dear Daria, your comment makes me really happy! Enjoy and happy learning! It is indeed a great masterpiece!

[@zamyrabyrd]

Greg, I do hope you read comments on videos you made 3 years. I left one on the Polonaise Fantasy, a piece I have been trying to decifer for a long time but also the 4 ballades, staples of my repertoire with unanswered questions. The insights plus historical background are really helping me to revisit these works. I think you must have had excellent training as you seem to have the right artistic approach.

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes I do!!! I might have missed your comment on Polonaise Fantasy though. I have to research

[@zamyrabyrd]

@@gregniemczuk Part of my mistake with Chopin's works, was trying to fit them into a Schenkerian model. This might work with Beethoven and other classical composers but the melodic and motival aspects of Chopin's music are maybe even more important. It's interesting that a dispute had been going on for so long about whether this piece is in F Major or A minor. I don't think there any harmonic ambiguity here. Even the fact that it ends in A minor, still it is felt as the third degree of the F Major scale.

[@LiveUPMedia]

This is brilliant

[@JarmilaXymenaGorna]

Wonderful. Thank you

[@spookbones]

Wonderful video. Thank you.

[@bigl5343]

The analysis in this video is superb. I am considering learning this piece for an audition for a masters program.

[@gregniemczuk]

Fantastic idea! My advice: start from the coda! If you have any problems, drop me a line. Good luck and thanks for watching! By the way, now I play it much better ! Hahaha

[@bigl5343]

@@gregniemczuk it is going to be challenge since I work full-time and still struggle with some technique issues. Combined with Mozart's "Sonata No. 13 n B-flat major, K. 333" and set of six impromtus by Sibelius makes a nice program.

[@gregniemczuk]

@@bigl5343 it's a perfect program! But yes, you do need time for that! I really respect your determination. It must be love toward music. So beautiful!!!

[@bigl5343]

@@gregniemczuk Excellent performance of the 4 Chopin Ballades on Facebook. I see that you perform on a Fazioli in your video conclusions. I have heard they are an absolute pleasure to perform on.

[@gregniemczuk]

@@bigl5343 thank you so much! Yes, I love Fazioli! They're my favorite brand Very sensitive, with warm sound, very responsive

[@mickizurcher8450]

Genius coda! Inspired playing Greg!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks Micki

[@mickizurcher8450]

@@gregniemczuk I just started this ballade today and it is such a blast. There are so many fun passages in it and it was because you inspired me Greg. Thank you.!! ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[@mickizurcher8450]

Greg in the coda RH, do you change fingering on the duplicate chords? I’ve looked at the Henle edition and one other edition and they’re both showing finger changes. Sometimes I think, changing fingering in tight little passages articulates it better, other times I’m wondering if you can’t just use quick movements of the wrist instead and keeping the fingering the same. Thank you!

[@gregniemczuk]

@@mickizurcher8450 no no no, I'm using wrist movement

[@Rose-zg9pu]

When i first heard this piece i was shocked. I remember it well.

[@zdzislawmeglicki2262]

To me the ballades are like first movements of sonatas. You have two contrasting themes, the development, and, finally, the recapitulation. They're not perhaps like highly regimented classical sonatas. Chopin takes his liberties, and this is for the better. I bet you could assemble a full sonata by taking a ballade, then a scherzo, a nocturne, and... what would you use for the last movement? A waltz perhaps? Thank you for this most enjoyable presentation.

[@gregniemczuk]

Better etude than a waltz. Thanks for this interesting comment!

[@annihelling4763]

Thank you for a brilliant analysis!P.Helling

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks!

[@mralcina8726]

Bravo Maestro! Wonderful lecture on my favorite Chopin ballade. Greetings from Croatia.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much! I love your country!!!

[@chopinfanclub6672]

I am here again… Greg help me I am so depressed right now… heartbroken, stress and university… chopin is the only thing holding me together. But it is very strained… I am afraid everything could rip apart and I will be alone truly…

[@gregniemczuk]

Have faith!! Life has downs and ups.... The sun will shine for you again. Now you have to be strong. This is your current challenge in your life.... You have my support!!

[@chopinfanclub6672]

@@gregniemczuk thank you 🙏

[@mickizurcher8450]

Greg, this playlist really helps to find the works we’re looking for, so thank you for putting this together. I have a question about this #2. I have the Henle edition (which I thought Urtext meant that only the composers fingerings would be in here) but it says it’s fingered by a fellow named Theopold and I was wondering what edition you have (and of course I’m sure you do your own fingering) but curiously I would be interested if you had the CODA with Chopin’s fingerings? I’m especially curious about the doubled RH (3rds/4ths) chords starting at bar 168 the editor changes some of the fingering of the doubled chords and sometimes he doesn’t Do you keep the same fingering if the chord is played twice or do you sometimes change the fingering for the same chord? Thank you in advance. 😊

[@gregniemczuk]

Usually I keep the same fingering

[@arkady3629]

Amazing lecture!

[@ewapiano1222]

yes I agree; this music is so poetry, that words are not needed I think,it would be to much.

[@BurningSky9]

1:03:40 I always jokingly say that it's the beginning, but traumatised.

[@ewapiano1222]

perfect!!

[@NormanicusDiabolicus]

What a great video with such detailed analysis. Would you be kind enough to give a tutorial about mastering the technical difficulties in part'z' ? I can play this section at a moderate speed but it becomes a disastrous noise when I try to player faster

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you for your comment. Ok! I'll try to prepare it for you, hopefully by the end of this year.

[@dantealejandro2843]

Wow, an incredible video with a very good analysis, very good, while I will hear this song in this video, because I had asked you live but I think it was too late, I hope I can hear you play this piece in another live , Very good video! :)

[@BurningSky9]

I hugely appreciate what you are doing. Do you have any concert in Romania anytime soon?

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!!! Not yet but I'll try to send some offers!

[@mewcury111]

Thanks for the video! Do you have any tips on how to play the second bar (right hand) of the presto con fuoco w/o having tension in the arm?

[@gregniemczuk]

Well....... Play extremely slowly = 1 note per second (yes!!!!!) And while playing relax your elbow and arm by moving it left and right. Than slowly and gradually speed up the tempo. It should help!

[@mewcury111]

Thank you sm!

[@chopinpianoduo]

Bardzo ciekawa analiza i przedstawiona w tak naturalny i ekspresyjny sposób. Gratulacje. :)

[@gregniemczuk]

Dziękuję bardzo!

[@MaestroGeo]

Oh yea, this coda! WOW!

[@Felix_Li_En]

I love this Ballade so much! But I also really want to know what was the inspiration and motivation for Chopin to wrote and dedicated to "Monsieur Robert Schumann" (not "Son ami Robert Schumann"!! Thanks to mention that! 😆) such a masterpiece with both sweet and stormy elements in the same time! By the way, this Ballade, in my opinion, is also one of the most Lisztian works Chopin had composed, full of fantastic structure and brilliant technique! 💖

[@Felix_Li_En]

One more thing! I think the F Major Nocturne Op.15 No.1 is a little bit like this Ballade! Sweet dreams with scary storms!

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes, it's true! And also his 2nd Sonata is very Lisztian

[@Naeromusic]

This ballade certainly has a nice theme, although it does often rank as last amongst the other 3, the coda though is absolutely fantastic

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes that's true. Maybe because of the drastic change of characters

[@SCRIABINIST]

The slow theme is perhaps like a folktale, a distant story while the Presto is a stormy depiction of rage, conquer and eventual triumph

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes! It's possible

[@mickizurcher8450]

Greg, i’m working on this now and I’ve watched your analysis several times. I don’t see a practice video. Did you make one? Are you planning on doing so? thank you!

[@gregniemczuk]

No I didn't. Well, maybe once.... But I don't know exactly when

[@mickizurcher8450]

at about 48:00, it doesn’t sound like you’re using the pedal in the section yet It sounds very balanced if I use the pedal then the right hand is totally drowned out by the left hand even if playing it softly, it’s just too muddy and covering up the right hand if I try to follow Chopins pedal markings.

[@KlausDave]

Beginning reminds me of the religioso part of Op. 15 Nr. 3

[@sunareekaewnat8967]

So if Chopin did not leave indications of what a piece was supposed to represent, does it allow a pianist greater freedom to paint their own picture through dynamic modulation and rubato? In our dialogues, you have expressed very strongly your views about being loyal to what Chopin wrote. I think the balance of loyalty to the composer and artistic interpretation exists very much on a spectrum. I think the most important question to ask in interpreting any piece is "what did the composer intend?" For the pianist, the question he has to answer honestly for himself is "what are my intentions?" Great interpretations, from my perspective, arise from the ability to reconcile those intentions.

[@gregniemczuk]

Very interesting comment which I saw just now.... I still think we should follow the instructions of the composer because only then the music sounds like they wanted - which basically means it's the best version. My own concert experience proves that as well.

[@gregorypkampwirth8852]

Dzięn dobry pan Niemczuk!! I really enjoy your videos, but I wish you'd delve more into the musical 🎶 🎼 nuances, like how the the notes are represented on the piano 🎹 itself. I'm so in love with Chopin's music 🎼 and I'm mostly of Polish descent, which is probably why I love 💕 it so!!! Skąd jest pana z Polski?? My relatives were from Dolistowie i Białystok respectively!! A Polish man who helped me online look 👀 into my past a little bit said that my mom's maiden name means Chenopodium (Komosa), so they were either farmers or medics!! Anyway, thanks 🙏 for bearing with me and enjoy the rest of your day!!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you very much for your wonderful comment! I'm from the South of Poland. I'll try to look at details but I'm afraid that the videos will be even longer!!!!

[@gregorypkampwirth8852]

@@gregniemczuk dobrze!! Dziękuję za panu odpowiedz!! Miłego wieczorem!! 🥃🍷💤 🛌🌙✨

[@grassgrees6728]

love this!!! thank you!!! i feel ur analsysis is very poetic AND analytical and strategic ... its equal to ABRSM's FRSM HAHAHA

[@gregniemczuk]

Hahahaha thanks!

[@carlwu]

Is this the only piece in Chopin's that starts in major and ends in minor?

[@gregniemczuk]

No, Nocturne in B major op.32 no. 1

[@matt566]

Man how long does it take to develop the technique to play those alternating dyads/intervals just before the coda? >:( They are so hard

[@gregniemczuk]

Practice them every day in slower tempo and gradually speed up. 2 weeks

[@DPNack_]

43:17 that funny moment when you forgot five(happens to all of us sometimes)

[@gregniemczuk]

Hahahah

[@ewapiano1222]

*Maestro

[@MaestroGeo]

Iambic Tetrameter...kind of...actually, in Iambic, the short one comes first so this is really trochee.

[@tshum5632]

SO MANY NOTES😂😂😂

[@gregniemczuk]

🤣🤣🤣

[@nickcy27]

looks like you need a cigarette at the end :)

[@gregniemczuk]

😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@OziCastle]

I have a very dark image for this piece. A person who has been pushed and pushed until the finally snap, losing their sanity and moral control. A decent into madness.

[@gregniemczuk]

Wow......

[@immanueldomeniussihombing_6953]

My favorite ballade among all four the the ballade's. My personal interpretation of this ballade is the creation from the Bible in the book of Genesis 1 through the fall of human in Genesis 3. How human became seperated by their Creator (seperated by place). And shame fills humans because of sins that they bear.

[@johnsarkissian5519]

To “Mr.” Robert Schumann.

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes, precisely to "Mosieur"

[@ewapiano1222]

social distance please

[@JohannPetrak]

19 ads. Utterly unwatchable.

[@gregniemczuk]

So many?? Sorry.... But because of this ads you can watch it for free....

[@karolakkolo123]

You can always get adblock