SMU Ivory Keys is proud to present "A New Start" to our KZfaq audience; our first live annual production since COVID-19! 🌱 Signifying fresh beginnings, emerging from a pandemic-induced slumber, we proclaim that we are here and will be heard once again! We hope you (belatedly) enjoy the night of piano music we shared, spanning classical, pop, and more.
The Ballades were written by Frédéric Chopin from 1831 - 1842, and it consists of 4 single-movement pieces written for the solo piano. The Ballade No.1 in G minor, Opus 23 was published in June 1836, and it was dedicated to Baron Nathaniel von Stockhausen, the Hanoverian ambassador to France. (Huneker, n.d.)
In 1836, Robert Schumann wrote about his thoughts on this piece: "I have received from Chopin a Ballade. It seems to me to be the work closest to his genius (though not the most brilliant) and I told him that I like it best of all his compositions. After a lengthy silence, Chopin replied with emphasis: ‘I am glad, because I too like it the best, it is my dearest work.’ (Tomaszewski, n.d.)
Despite nearly 200 years since its release, this piece continues to play a major role in modern culture. One notable example would be its crucial appearance in the 2002 film ‘The Pianist’, which speaks of the struggles faced by a polish musician during WWII. In sports, the Ballade No. 1 was featured as part of a short program in Yuzuru Hanyu’s Olympic Gold winning performance during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics.
Performed by Foo Hai Yang at Annual Production 2022, 28 October 2022.
Brought to you by SMU Ivory Keys.
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