Chopin Ballade No.1 in G Minor, Op.23

Chopin Ballade for Piano No.1, is sometimes credited as one of Chopin’s greatest compositions. Before Chopin, no one has ever created a piece of music called Ballade, a genre that is usually associated with poems. Being a new music genre created by Chopin, it doesn’t need to comply with the rules which gave Chopin more rooms for artistic creation. According to some literary sources, this particular ballade was inspired by Adam Mickiewicz, who was a Polish poet living in Paris, a city where Chopin also reside at the time. 

I first heard the Ballade No.1 from the WWII movie “Pianist”, where the main character played the ballade for a German Military Officer. The setting was believed to be an abandoned hospital, it was very cold and the pianist was on the verge of desperation. He was in great hunger and cold. However, when he played the ballade, I could sense his spirit and his belief. Despite his desperate situation, he still has his music, he still pocesses hope. Overall, I was very touched by the music and the mood it created for the movie. At the time of the creation of this piece, Poland was quite politically unstable. Chopin and many other polish artists became exiles in Paris. Chopin, often recognized as a great patriot also narrated a story that reflects the great Polish history in this piece.

As a story teller, the Ballade’s opening was full of darkness, uncertainty and hesitation. In the next a few minutes, the tempo of the Ballade gradually increased. As the piece progresses, one of Chopin’s most romantic melody emerged and it was then we hear the climax of the piece, with incredible amount of strength, passion and heroism.

Here is a performance by the great Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman, who won the 1975 International Chopin Piano Competition. As a polish, he is probably the most suitable person to make this Ballade alive, rather than just conquering the technical difficulties.

Zimerman Plays Chopin Ballade No.1

Beethoven Piano Sonata No.14 in C-Sharp Minor “Moonlight”

Today, we are talking about the Beethoven Piano Sonata No.14 in C-Sharp Minor, commonly known as the “Moonlight” sonata. The nickname “moonlight” actually came from a poet named Ludwig Rellstab, not Beethoven. It’s probably the most well-known sonata from Beethoven, as the first movement of “moonlight” appeared on almost every easy listening compilation in the past 50 years. From a personal experience, I heard the first movement countless times since I was a child and thought that was all to it. However, it was not until many years later until I listened to the 2nd and especially the 3rd movement. I am completely captivated by the wildness of the last movement. I wish I can play it, so that when I’m feeling down, I can dump my unhappiness all away with the arpeggio. In fact, the arpeggio at the beginning of the 3rd movement is so unexpected that it ponders my heart like thunders.

The recording I’ve heard the most is Wilhelm Kempff’s 1965 DG recording. It’s probably not his best performance, some argued that his 1950s mono recordings were better, but the 65 version is definitely better engineered. Alfred Brendel, Arthur Rubinstein also had great interpretations of this piece.

Luckily, there a Wilhelm Kempff Live performance of the moonlight sonata on youtube.

Kempff plays Moonlight Sonata Movement 1:

Mozart Sonata for 2 Pianos in D Major K.448

Mozart Sonata for 2 Pianos in D Major K.448, supposedly famous for its “Mozart Effect” on the unborn and the pre-school to increase IQ, improve reasoning and has a great number of other benefits. Believe it or not, the sonata has a pleasant feel all through out. It was composed in 1781 by Mozart to be performed with one of his fellow students. I believe the sonata does help us feel better, and the psychological effect it has on us may definitely improve the mood.

I enjoyed all 3 movements, especially the first and the last movements, they are very playful and much enjoyable. On youtube, I’ve found a performance by the legendary pianist Martha Argerich and Italian pianist Gabriele Baldocci. The performance was not a professional recording, both the video and the sound quality is somewhat doubtful. Nevertheless, the playing was masterful and quite fun to listen to.

Sonata for 2 Pianos in D Major, K. 448 1st Movement:

Debussy Arabesque No.1 in E Major

Claude Debussy, one of the greatest french composer. There is so much expression in his music, that I can imagine a painting by Claude Monet upon listening. Maybe you think I’m exaggerating, but after you listen to the Deux Arabesques No.1, you will believe me. Arabesque No.1 in E Major is the first of a suite of 2 Arabesques by Debussy, who composed it between the years of 1888 and 1891. Composed by a youthful Debussy who was only in his late 20s at the time, the piece has got a distinct French romantic feel. The Arpeggio that opens the Arabesque naturally draws you into the flow of the music, and the overall listening experience is quite surreal in a way.

The piece is not played very frequently by famous pianists, probably due to it’s relatively easiness. I think the piece is not technically difficult, but upon listening to the many amateur renditions on youtube, I’m yet to find one satisfying listening experience. It’s a really hard piece indeed to play well and to express the dream-like feel.

The best performance I found on youtube is by a Japanese pianist Ichiro Nodaira, I haven’t heard of him, but he’s got a very sensitive touch and played the Debussy piece quite beautifully. I am posting it here and I hope you like it.

Ichiro Nodaira playing Arabesques No.1 : Andantino con moto

Beethoven Piano Sonata No.8 in C Minor “Pathétique”

Beethoven Piano Sonata No.8 in C Minor, also known as the “Pathétique” sonata. I heard it was one piano sonata that Beethoven actually named himself. Other sonatas such as Moonlight sonata got its name from a poet. Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas are so important that they are usually called the “new testament” of Piano music. “Pathétique” is among the most famous of the 32 piano sonatas and it’s also one of my personal favorite.

The 2nd movement: adagio cantabile is probably one of the most well-known piece of classical music and it’s also a main promoter for piano music. We’ve heard it in many movies and places, for example, in the famous Korean movie “The Classics”, Son Ye-Jin played this piece at the school concert. In addition, I believe the 2nd movement was also a source of inspiration for the popular Japanese manga Nodame Cantabile, at least the inpiration for its name. The 2nd movement was so popular that it was adapted into many popular songs.

The first complete recording of the sonata I heard was by Wilhelm Kempff, from his 1965 DG recording. As soon as I heard the first movement, I was completely mesmerized and wanted to hear more. The first movement switches between Grave and Allegro, Kempff handled them easily and beautifully. Btw, I didn’t like Glenn Gould’s recording of this sonata, as he played it way too fast and felt like he was hurrying it off. The 2nd movement has one of the sweetest melody and the last movement is somewhat playful. I just couldn’t get enough of this sonata, no matter how many times I listen to it, especially the first movement.

Here is a recording of “Pathétique” by British Pianist Freddy Kempff. I don’t think he has any formal connection with the legendary Wilhelm Kempff, but his playing his is just as good in my opinion. I hope you enjoy it too. [Sheet Music is provided at the end of the post]

1st Movement: Grave

Tchaikovsky Romance in F minor Op.5

Romance in F minor, one of the few short piano pieces from the great Russian composer Tchaikovsky. It is also one of his earliest works, listed as Op.5, dated to 1869.

As suggested by the title, the music has got a taste that’s similar to many music from the Romantic period. People may easily mistaken it as a composition of F. Chopin, as the sweetness and the peacefulness of this music reminds us of Chopin’s Nocturnes. Soon after, the short allegro section in the middle brought us back to its Russian root. The piece finally returned to the main theme and quietly ended.

Here is a youtube video presenting the music. It was quite difficult to find a good recording of the piece on youtube.

Schubert Piano Sonata No.16 D845 in A Minor

Schubert Piano Sonata No.16 D845 in A Minor played by American Pianist Diane Walsh at the American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York in 2007. Diane Walsh is relatively unknown, however, I really enjoyed her version of this Sonata. I liked it more than the versions by Renowned piniasts Pollini, Brendel or Kempff’s versions. Maybe the singing tone of this Schubert Sonata is more expressive under the touches of a female.

You probably have heard this music from the very popular Japanese Manga/Drama, Nodame Cantabile, where Nodame played this piece of music (1st Movement only) at the Maradona Piano Competition. On youtube, Diane Walsh also only had presented the 1st movement only, but it does a good job introducing the essense to us nevertheless. Even it’s only a few minutes long, you can feel that there are so much story to tell and it allows rooms for endless imaginations.

Actually, the D845 piano sonata was the most famous sonata by Schubert while he was alive and was one of the only three piano sonata published during his lifetime.

Schubert Piano Sonata No.13 D664 in A Major

Schubert Piano Sonata No.13 D664 in A major, played by great Wilhelm Kempff.

One of the Schubert Sonata that has a lyrical feelings like the songs by Schubert. It’s relatively shorter and easier comparing to the other Schuebert Sonatas.

I love all the 3 movements of this piece. The first is lively, the seoncd is calm and the third is comic. It takes you through a variety of human emotions and listening to it is such a facinating experience.

I. Allegro moderato: in A major

II. Andante : in D major
III. Allegro: in A major