Hello all!
I have recently picked up Chopin's first ballade which is a gorgeous work... I absolutely LOVE it...
I was wondering though, I have heard many different interpretations of the opening line and I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were... I would appreciate some input on how it should be played and I'd like to know what everyone thinks! thanks!

ALSO...
if anyone has any interesting ideas for the Schumann concerto I would apprecitate them too!

Thanks!

*sarice*

Is it the one in G minor, which i think is the most popular one. It's around 17 pages. I have the edition Verlag score for it but as yet have'nt got round to learning it, because i'm mainly concentrating on some of his shorter pieces, waltzes, preludes, nocturnes, some etudes. The ballades are quite some challenge, but all i can say is maybe keep listening to the recordings might help, always liked Vasarys playing of the ballades and also Ashkenazys.

Yes this is the G Minor. I can play about half of it, but its the one that gets progessively harder as you go along. Those acciaccatured double octaves at the end do my head in.

The opening phrase should start quietly, I use slight crescendo and tempo increase as it rises, then tail off back again with a rallentando at the end. Think if it as an arch rising and falling.

I usually like to get the hardest parts of a piece learned first, so when i get round to it, thats what I'll do. If that means starting somewhere near the end of the piece, and getting those parts done first, then so be it.

Thanks guys! Any other tips from anyone? Both are AMAZING pieces... gosh i just love them

*Sarice*