Anyone played this piece? I'm at about a grade 8 level (haven't taken the exam, although I'm able to play most of the pieces in the syllabus.) I'm wondering how long it might take to perfect, and to what level of perfection is acceptable for this piece. It seems that there's always more to improve especially on this one.

It could take you 2 months and it could take you a year , completely depends on you.
Not sure what you mean by 'perfection' though

I consider this piece to be fairly challenging - at least diploma if not LRSM level. I passed my diploma over a year ago and am now learning the 3rd ballade (Ab major). I know I wouldn't have been able to play any of the ballades to a high standard just after taking grade 8.

Today I practiced this piece for about 2+ hrs and I found that suddenly it all seemed to click. The things I really still need to work on is the fast passages. But seeing as I have a hard time forcing myself to do scales every day, this could be VERY hard....

Best of luck with it . It is such a gorgeous work.

Indeed. Now I still need to get the piano tuned...

The Ballades are difficult works and I remember slaving over all four during the school holidays, before and after my O'levels (seems like ages ago!). There are so many tricky passages and you have to make the work flow naturally and not seem too fragmented with just the right amount of rubato. All four ballades are on the LRSM list. I like Gavrilov's recording of them, amongst others. Enjoy learning it!

Is that the one in F major?

No 1 is G minor.

I have tried to play this for more years than I can remember (probably about 40) ! Its not too bad until half way through , then it really gets difficult. And theres no way I will ever play those accaiaccatured octaves at the end ! Ive given up ! I know my limits ! But its super piece and I still occasionally play the first half.!

Beautiful piece. So well written and quite pianistic - what I mean by this is that it does "fit" well under the hands... I love it. As others have said that it is quite a challenge for Grade 8 candidate to learn to play well but why not have a go?

I have been trying for days to play chopin's ballade, but I still can't seem to play it all right. It is way too hard.

It's fiendish! I'm not even trying to play it it looks so hard

I can play it