In my opinion, this piece tells an incredible story and is the best piece of music chopin ever wrote, that pensive main theme that could teeter towards either ecstasy or tragedy where it initially resolves to the former in what seems to be the climax of the piece, but then the ecstasy fades, and tragedy is all that's left (and oh boy is that ever a classic Chopinian story).

This is the best piano piece ever written, in my opinion

Even after listening to it hundreds of times, it’s still one of my favorite pieces of music ever

It was super interesting when you point out where musical ideas repeat within the piece. Great video as always

This piece is definitely one of my favorites from Chopin, just the continuous contrasting and resolving throughout the story, it just makes it such an amazing piece to listen to and play, and with your explanation about the specific aspects and details of the music really makes it all that more special!

To me ballade no. 1 is a musical representation of the concept of life right from birth, with all the good and bad, happy and sad, and ending with death. Whenever I listen to it I'm brought through that entire journey and it definitely has immense emotional impact on me

I first heard this Chopin Ballade when I was 15. I have been infatuated with it ever since. I love the analysis of this complex piece. I have learned a lot, thanks for posting!

The closing motive is one of my all time favorite things in all of music. There is so much intensity and passion in that section. Literally it gets me so emotional. Those suspensions? 😭

An amazing piece of music. I cannot think of any of Chopin’s music I don’t like. This is a fantastic video and does justice the piece deserves.

One of the greatest pieces of music in history, indeed, unmatched!

One of the best pieces of music ever written

Once again a perfect analysis of this Ballad. It's amazing to see how much you know, technique wise but also harmonically. I see things now I heard but never noticed before. I've heard this piece about a 1000 times in my life, but now that I watched this it just became even better. Thank you, Mr,. Kilhamn.

I have been waiting for this from u for so long.

It is such a treat to watch you dissect the music so exquisitely. Bravo, maestro.😌

I’ve seen quite a few Ballade 1 interpretations and analysis videos and I’ve been waiting for your take on it ever since I started watching your videos. And it didn’t disappoint - you offered a perspective that I hadn’t considered before. Thank you!

I love this piece so much! Thank you for your thoughts on this piece. Also I just watched your nocturne op 55 no 1 analysis and I got some good insight from that video because I am learning the same nocturne right now. Thank you for these videos!

Yeah!! The video I've been waiting from you for years. Magnificent.

excellent video - exactly what i was looking for (showing keys and music notation and talking about the structure and development of a brilliant piano piece!) awesome

What an incredible analysis! It made me appreciate the piece and Chopin much more!

I love what you do at 8:45 and leave us hanging without the famous E-flat dissonance! Analytical videos like yours really help to craft how to develop a solid interpretation of this piece. Thank you for your gift to us all.

Finally it is here! I love this ballade

The little rolling emote down the "mini cadenza" 😄pure joy. Thank you so much for this analysis. I have MANY "favourites" but this piece to me epitomizes the depth that you can bring out of 'notes on a page', and the importance, subtlety and genius of Chopin's musical decisions to make a coherent but still wildly imaginative and narrative piece.

In my opinion, the first Ballade is a depressing contemplation of happier times, followed by an absolute fury. It is one of the greatest pieces ever put to paper, a showboat of talent and, more importantly, emotion. It cannot be properly played without the experience of tragedy, and of happier nostalgia. It is, in my opinion, Chopin's Magnum opus, and a piece that every pianist worth their salt should attempt. It is my white wale, my fiercest enemy, and my fondest friend.

As a beginner intermediate on the piano this professional analysis is really very good and it is somewhat above me, but it is not wasted. Thankyou. Nontheless, whenever I hear this composition it always reminds me of that moving film released in 2002 'The Pianist'. Towards the end of the film, this incredible piece is played by the Polish pianist escapee Władysław Szpilman for the German officer Captain Wilm Hosenfeld and both are wondering their fate. Thankyou again for this video.

I'd give you my heart itself if i could for analysing this piece. Wept over it countless times

What a beast of a piece! Also really great explanation and I humbly say that along with Nocturne in C minor op 48 no 1 are top best videos explanation on KZfaq! Thank you for your great efforts!

Great analysis of the structure. Hope you do the other ballades too

It’s INSANE how this music forces full body chills

Great analysis, about the ballade structure and the rephrasing sequence of main themes. As well as harmony explanations. Thank you!!! 👏👏👏👏👏

Thank you so much for this! Your playing suits the level of clear analyze you give us, i REALLY hope this becomes a series of chopin ballades because they all deserve attention! :)

I've been following you for quite some time. I'd like to thank you for the valuable videos you make!

Chopin is in my top 3 all time favorite artists. Something about his melodies and harmonic progression paints this dreamy warm atmosphere and I always feel something when I play and listen to his work

Fantastic playing, fantastic analysis!

Fantastic Composer, explendid composition, marvelous dissecation showing your knowledge teatched very professionally!! Thanks a lot❤❤❤👏👏👏

your new set up looks very professional!

Hi Henrik, learning this piece now. Thank you for such brilliant analysis, it will be very helpful for me and so many others. I will keep you updated on my progress.

Unraveling the plot and structure of Chopin’s Masterwork gives me another intimate look into the mind of true musical genius. He takes you through the entire spectrum of emotion and ends leaving you with either tingly buzz or a full blown emotional hangover! I was convinced I should move on to a different composer after Concerto 1 mvmt. 2… but now Im not so sure. My hunger for Chopin is insatiable it seems!

Wow this analysis is GREAT!!

Can't wait your part 2!!

Can't wait for Part 2!

Greetings from India! I really like your presentation of this masterpiece Sir. Your analysis helps us understand the piece a lot better! It seems like we are viewing it with a microscope!

great analysis! now i'm waiting for the ballade no. 4 :)

Amazing video

Thank you for analysis this piece!!🎶🎶

can't wait for the second part. thank you so much for analysing thiese piece. greetings from germany!

Another fantastic video to enjoy with my cup of coffee on Saturday morning! I love how you read to us from a book about Chopin and I also love how you call some things groovy!!

Reworking this piece now, first played it '81-'82 for my graduate piano recital

Omg yesss! Thank u for this this is my favorite piece!😁

excellent video!

I hoped that you would do the Chopin Ballades at one point so this is a really nice surprise! Thank you very much - it would be a pleasure to also see the other ones get analyzed

Yesss finally Ballade 1 :D !!! I'll watch this after my homework

Great video.

Thank you that you made my request a thing.

Thanks for what you do👏👍🙏

Your analysis of this beautiful piece is pure gold. Thank you so much!

I think it worth mentioning the tension/resolution feeling you get when the melodic line flirts with the unexpected resolution almost to the dominant. This unexpected landing on the 6th or the augmented 4th builds the desire for the piece to land on the dominant. Very effective way of increasing the angst.

I´ve been waiting this for so long

The DEFINITIVE romantic period piece for piano!!

I loved this analysis purely because of the indication of that important contour at the start. I never noticed how prominent it was throughout the whole piece. May I suggest for your next video Glinka/Gryazanov Valse Fantaisie? I think that would be really nice to analyze because of the recurrence of multiple themes throughout the work.

22 minutes, part 1 of 2 Yaaaaasssssssss

Du är en fantastisk pianist 😍

The chord at 10:07 can be analyzed as a VI 4/3 chord moving to the V chord. So those 2 chords, the c-minor to the EbMaj7, are just circling the dominant. If you were to play them in their root positions you'd hear the iv-VI-V7 progression.

My top 1... most beautiful piano piece ever written.

Now I have to cycle listen to Chopin's ballades over again, you naughty boy !

Masterpiece

10:48 It reminded me of the coda. It has the same accompaniment in its harmonic structure. And it also falls on a weak beat

Brilliant

For some reason I always imagine a vast beach at the opening chords, which quickly fades to a boy carrying cinderblocks at his work. There is a such a surprising shift from the majestic sublime to the monotonous and dreary.

The most shocking things about this ballade is the tension/relaxing sensation that gives you the minor & major chords is amazing hoy much energy is sustained to the player is really up and down sad history counted in 5 minutes.

YESSSS FINALLY

I think that it would make more sense to tackle each ballade in their respective order, but I love the 4th ballade so much I wouldn't mind if you made an analysis on it out of order. I hope you get around to it someday either way :)

Your channel disappeared from my fees. Glad to find you again. Always great content

Bravo

Well, this is one of the best iterations if this piece I've ever heard. Have you considered upploading your Ballade no. 1 to spotify? I've been having some trouble finding a version that fits my tastes, I'd love to add the uncut version to my playlist :)

Nice... 6 / 4 time is compound duple time.. I wonder why Chopin used that instead of 3/4 to get the Waltz feel Interesting that chord symbols are.being used to explain the harmony. DGBb Eb is Eb/ D bass or Gm b6 last inversion. ACEbG is m7b5 or A half dim 7 th or dim m7 ( Explained as in Pop / Jazz )

Underhållande och väldigt intressant video och analys Henrik! Skulle det vara möjligt att du gjorde en analys av Scriabins sonata no.5? Har länge varit fascinerad av detta stycke och hoppas kunna se dina åsikter och perspektiv på det

Always has been my favourite. I learned the first three/four pages but then when it really get's going.. that's just way out of my league

Great video. Also i wanted to ask when you are goint go to cover the 3rd movemen of mozart k310. In studying that movement at the moment. Would greatly appreciate

I always knew there were passages in this Ballade that reminded me of Beethoven's sonatas in their motivic basis, more dramatic character, and the first area especially, the acceleration. But I wasn't sure where those areas were formally speaking, like I thought that the transition was the second theme at first because contrast in character. The transition is indeed one of those areas that sound to my ears Beethoven-esque. The Scherzo and the Coda are the other 2. Maybe that's part of why I love this Ballade the most, even more than the fourth ballade, which is my second favorite, is these Beethoven-esque areas, these areas that remind me of Beethoven's sonatas. Cause I really love Beethoven's music, he's my favorite composer. And to see this kind of Beethovenian "How much can I get out of this motive, and I should make it very contrasting in character with the themes before and after it." in Chopin, it's a rarity.

How do you even write something this amazing??

I don't think the motif at around 17:17 (the closing motif as you called it) is a new motif, but rather it's a fragment of the "waltz" melody. If you look at the 5 quavers that open the moderato section (and are an integral part of that melody), the latter 4 follow the exact same contour as the 4-quaver (closing) motif in this new section. I somehow doubt this is an accident.

you play so beautifully, do you have performances?

Why "stop" on the A half-dim? It's part of a II-V-I. Sometimes harmonies are both an end and a beginning-and working to make the listener hear both is one way to get longer lines.

I saw all the repetitions of the theme, but you only see them when you try and play it, and you notice the same theme coming back again and again in odd places. I only wish I had blacksmith forearms like Hendrik cos this piece can break wrists.

9:13 i believe it’s an eb major 7 with d as a root note

can you do an analysis of chopin scherzo no 1 in b minor

Great video with a lot of thematic and harmonic connections. I don't agree with Charles Rosen here... Even in Chopin's Ballades there is a story telling based on poems. In Cortot's preface of the Ballades the first Ballade is conected with Conrad Wallenrod by Adam Mickiewicz. It will take you about 3 to 4 hour to read the poem but you will relate it to the ballade very easily. For instance the main theme is represented by Conrad's nostalgia for losing Poland's identity towards Lithuania, Prussia and Germania. So there was no Poland anymore. The 1st theme is also represented by the Lute (thats is why he writes staccato in the acompainment so to emulate the sound of the lute). The lute also represents Conrad's nostalgia and state of mind throughout the poem. The 2nd theme is represented by Conrad's beloved Aldona (as you can see Chopin writes a female theme with a descending ending just like in Mozart...). Aldona is traped in the tower (that is why she is presented with the horns before the theme) and encourages Conrad to go to war and regain Poland's identity. You can see every time the 2nd theme apears it impeles him more and more to go to war against the 3 armys of Prussia, Lithuania and Germania. The scherzo represents the banquets that Conrad gave to moralise his troops and to forget about the fact that it was impossible to go to war against 3 armys of three diferent countrys, so Conrad gave big banquets to cheer up his troops and forget about Poland's tragic fate. Just before the coda is where Conrad Wallenrod impeles his troops to fight the 3 armys until the last man standing (at piu forte possible). The Coda is the suicidal batlle where they try to fight the 3 armys of Prussia, Lithuania and Germania but with no success... Conrad Wallenrod commites suicide for not being able to release Aldona from the tower and regaining Poland's identity in the finale. You can easily relate the finale of the poem with the last page of the Ballade and i cote: "Thus lute strings, shuddering from a heavy stroke, Vibrate and burst; in their confusèd sounds They seem to voice the first notes of a song, But of such song let none expect the end. Such be my singing of Aldona’s fate. Let music’s angel sing it through in heaven, And thou, O tender reader, in thy soul".

- "What key is it in? Gm, Am, E flat or B flat?" - "Yes"

Yes yes yes, Chopin this and Chopin that. I love the music of Chopin no less than all those who also love his music. And this piece is indeed both enigmatic ,emphatic and wholly indicative of a tortured soul. Chopin in my mind pinnacle-ized melancholy and sentimentality. From a loosely comparative perspective please give Hanaveras by Jean Henri Ravina a thorough listening. If you are a pianist it is a piece very well worth tackling. More joyful and yet at times very sentimental JHR is no less important than both Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin. Born seven and eight years respectively after both ,JHR outlived the pair by many years and left a woefully under highlighted legacy in his wake. The classical diaspora and establishment is way too biased to the Greatly popular of every era.

As brilliant as this piece is it is a mere shadow of what is to come with the 3rd and 4th Ballades which are far superior in it's craftsmanship.

In 5 minutes he was actually finishing the hole piece. 👏😅

fastest i’ve ever clicked a video!

Beethoven Sonata 23 Waldstein please

My 2nd favorite piece :)

Jag rekommenderar alla mina Pianoelever att följa din sida och lyssna på dig. Vi ses kanske på pianofestivalen i Göteborg / Marie-Louise Stenungsund

WOW - I suddenly feel so dumb 😁

I love his presentation, but his name is not shown. What’s his name?

Polanski chose this ballade in his film The Pianist.

What is the name of the teacher please

Wouldn’t the chord at 10:17 just be Eb Maj7?