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I so loved hearing this because my mum (who died this year aged 98) was a brilliant pianist and I sometimes really miss hearing her play pieces like this... she loved the dramatic and difficult composers! Thank you.

This guy really out here making professional sounding recordings with the context and commentary for newcomers to classical music just because he can. Great stuff

Chopin is a bucket list "never gonna happen" sort of composer, and one of my most favorite. You performed that with incredible dynamic and feeling. Thank you for sharing your gift!

Excellent! Thank you for posting it. Chopin died at only 39 years old. We'll never know what other masterpieces he may have still had in him, had he stayed healthy, of course. He was obviously at a level few reach.

Chopin and Liszt are the only composers who have made me rage quit during my practice hours 😂😂😂 like full on headbutting the keys, sobbing, tearing my hair out, flipping off the air hoping that somehow, somewhere, their ghosts can see my pain

becoming one of my favourite channels, its always great seeing your videos show up in my feed :)

I don't know what you're talking about, you played that coda flawlessly and definitely nailed it. Very clean performance.

You play clean, with no exaggerated and contorting facial expressions...just natural emotions coming out from a gifted pianist! Bravo!

What an amazing interpretation of this piece! What an underrated great pianist on yt! Some people would skip right to the end for the powerful ending but damn you got me engaged the entire piece. Nice work, also the map on the side with the subtitles as always is a touch that makes your content quite original. Keep it up!

your playing of the coda is actually one of the best I've heard

Wow. Just…wow. Chopin with his scales and grace notes. Brutal but oddly enough I always find that despite the difficulty it is easy for me to slip into a flow state when playing Chopin. It just flows so beautifully that your brain wants to hear the next bit and just kind of compels your fingers to make it happen. Brain says YES, fingers say “wait. WHAT!?” You nailed this piece. Played it so beautifully with so much emotion.

Only hearing Chopin and Elgar makes me cry. They just get you right in the ticker everytime, if you're actually playing it, Chopin breaks your fingers as an added bonus. Brilliant performance. Thanks for sharing the beautiful horror of playing it.

Honestly this is one of the most profound pieces which you can use to check a piano’s timbre. The opening is so iconic and simple that you can recognize minute differences and colors.

It always amazes me how pianists of this caliber can memorize such complex pieces like this. They must become one with the composer and the composer must be in them. I memorized a 22-page Beethoven piano sonata. Took me a year. I'm not trained. Learned on my own. Tough business, so I stuck with painting houses.

Holy guacamole. That’s just pure emotion. All over the place there is no such thing as a single or never changing emotion and you played it so PERFECTLY. 20 thumbs up standing ovation with my feet.

It's rare for me to listen to a full youtube pianist recording. But this was so technically clean, and your interpretation of the piece was delightful. You knew how it was supposed to sound and didn't let the technical elements overpower the feeling of the ballade. Well done!

Dude! I literally clapped when you finished! What an amazing composition and an amazing performance. Bravo!

Respect to this guy memorizing this entire piece

My granddaughter loves classical music , I can’t wait to show her this tomorrow. It was a great honor and pleasure to hear you play this incredible ballade. I enjoyed reading your commentary and appreciate you sharing how you feel when you play it. We don’t usually articulate it but we listen to music because we feel it and I bet often think of it as a story. More than any other genera Classical music soothes me. It feels like a roller coaster ride if I close my eyes and focus on feeling it. The images bring me right into a dreamworld. Just lovely. I’ve heard this ballad many times and it always takes my breath when it’s played because no matter if they are technically spot on, it’s the emotional experience that’s lovely. Like even if they fail, it’s like the second place winner being sad, when in reality they did so well, ❤. You clearly loved the challenge and won.

Brilliantly executed and by memory...but can we also appreciate his running commentary. I don't think I've listened to a classical piece while reading the pianist's own thoughts as he's playing through specific portions. I was laughing the whole way at the end coda from the "OH NO OH NO..." awesome job!! 🤣

I was hooked on Chopin the first time I ever heard his music, I know nothing about music but I can tell his music is the best, way better, super human. His pausing makes you feel with anticipation and his light and dark takes you through a journey. I thought you were amazing playing this piece, you gave alot of people alot of pleasure, thank you.

Stunning performance ! Chopin must be overjoyed in heaven.

This has completely blown my mind.. I'm literally in tears..! This is some kind of alchemy for sure! I've never experienced such an effect from music before. I'm only familiar with a handful of classical pieces but this has left me in a state of amazed shock! Played with such grace and calm control while virtually conveying insanity, at times. Thank you so much for that experience - your skill is as astounding the piece. Standing ovation!

There has never been a Pianist who would make me feel such emotions as Chopin does. He's simply the greatest in my eyes

This is absolutely fantastic! I love your commentary! I had a composition professor at North Texas State university who would use a very similar system in analyzing many other works! It just made all the sense in the world to me! I look forward to watching more of your videos! I teach piano and singing, and I have made sure to share yours with my students, it has opened a whole new world to them, and how to listen to music!

Chopin's loneliest Ballade. Ballade No. 1 in G Minor; a wonderful, complicated piece that depicts a complex emotional state through music.

Hats off to this young man for taking the time to play this beautiful music "a memory".

I love the second round at 5:51 where Chopin channels the insane amount of tension build up from the A theme to the B theme without a transition. My favorite section of the piece.

I love Chopin so much and your commentary is hilarious. Definitely made me appreciate him even more. Great job!

Of the dozens of recordings and performances I've seen of this in my life, you're the only one who keeps the meter/tempo in the A theme and even notices the > accent. I loved it.

This has to be my favorite piece of all time. Personally not a pianist but this piece takes you on a journey.

The commentary in the video cracked me up so much 😂 As a fellow pianist, I'd say you gave it a pretty damn good shot - I wouldn't even attempt replicating his brilliant madness 😅👏🏻

Can we just give this man props if you didn't notice he memorized all of that Edit: Please shut up with your 🤓 sounding selfs saying stuff like "well actually memorization is very improtant and you would know if you played an instrument as sophisticated as the piano" I love the piano but you are not him just because you play it. Sorry about that I know memorization is important and very normal I do it as I am the first chair tuba in one of the best bands in my state. I have to memorize music to keep up with the actual prodigies in the trombone and euphonium sections as I also play those at a similar level to them so please stop saying things about how I would know how easy memorization is if I played an instrument because I play four and no piano is not one of them

When I listen to Chopin I always end up silently screaming in a pillow or at the air after a piece is finished, because i’m left in SO MANY DIFFERENT EMOTIONS EVERY FUKCING TIME.☺️☺️☺️ YOU DID AMAZING💐💐💐YOU FOR REAL SLAYED EVERY PART OF THE PIECE, ESPECIALLY THE CODA. Good job. So proud of you. 👍🏻

I am addicted to this piece ! Determined to play it at speed before I die [ I am already 70 so wish me luck on that ]' I can play all the slow bits ; I can even play the fast bits as long as I play them slowly , so I just need to speed up ...ha ha . Your playing is absolutely brilliant in so many ways - I think I will model my playing on this version, you are my new favourite . The written commentary is so funny it has me in stitches as well as being very informative . Bravo , thank you so much .

You are fantastic AND hilarious! The thumbs up at the end (when I was expecting you just to slump lifelessly over the piano keys!) was sublime! Bravo and God Bless the work of your Gifted hands x

That last coda❤ I’m not able to listen to it ever without breaking down in tears. I’ve tried. It’s so absolutely emotionally charged. I’ve played the piano since I was a toddler, but there’s no way I’d ever attempt this piece, even though I think I’d fall in love with playing it. Hands down my favorite piece he’s written.

I first came across this piece in the anime "Shigatsu Wa Kimi No Uso" (Your Lie in April) & I must say your interpretation & comments here has solidified why this piece was the best for the scene it was used in the anime. Since then, this piece has never failed to move me that I even made a poem inspired by it. Allow me to share the line I wrote for the last part of the ballade: The music seemed to stop for there was no more of you, But I begged for a few more notes, an encore for you. Though with all my might as I play those final notes, You never did come back, and there I played my last note. Absolutely loved the commentary & the playing! Thank you so much 💜💜💜

Well done! I love this piece, and the commentary during your performance made it even better. Thank you!

Your channel popped up as recommended and this is the first piece I've heard. Absolutely outstanding. Your commentary at the bottom brings so much interest to the video. I immediately subscribed. Thank you for sharing your gift!

Chopin leaves no emotions untouched in this piece.. A mysterious blend of darkness, serenity, ecstatic bliss, elegantly curved dancing melodic lines, humor (I used to not like the Looney Tunes section but now I see it actually adds balance and it doesn’t last long anyway), and then dropping us off the precipice in most dramatic fashion at the end. A truly grand adventure and still my favorite Chopin ever since hearing it in “The Pianist”.. thanks for the great performance and your amusing perspectives/analysis! My fingers were sweating just watching 🖐💦

This. Is. GOLDEN!! Not sure how KZfaq knew to place this video in my recommendations... but I'm glad it did!! I appreciate this VERY REAL analysis of this unbelievable piece of music! I'm a pianist from "way back", I guess you could say. I haven't devoted time to it in many years, but Chopin has always been my favorite composer, so I LOVE stumbling across videos that feature his work. Thank you for this most enjoyable upload!

Excellent job Wills. Ive heard this many times over the years, but I learnt so much today by following your comments 🙂 And you played with your heart, a really beautiful rendition of this very taxing work. Very good job indeed Wills.

An absolutely WILD ride, thank you so much for this introduction to this piece and the passion you put into playing it! Fantastic!

Pianists: can I play this? Chopin: no. 😂😢 Loved the theme map, fun commentary, great performance!

I mean .... Wao! You are playing faultlessly, heavenly. Thank you for making me understand what you musicians feel in your interpretation of a music peace... I am always amazed that you can memorize long music pieces without missing a single note ...

I LOVE this Ballade and so much enjoyed hearing you play it.

Dude, that was amazing!!! You're right, the score IS terrifying and you make it look so easy!! Thank you for playing so beautifully and THANK you for putting the score up so I could read along! My sincere respect!!

If that didn’t catch your attention, then nothing will! I’m not a musician, but this certainly both entertained and educated me about how to listen more intently to Chopins wonderful piano compositions! Thank you so much, it was most enjoyable!

I can hear Krystian Zimerman's influence in your interpretation and your technical ability to plow through the dreaded ending (which would be far easier to play were humans to have 3 hands) is on par with his. Even Ashkenazy and Kissin, two of the most talented pianists in history, struggle with the "never-ending" ending and you can hear it in their recordings. You moved through it like you were playing a Mozart piano sonata. I can see why you decided to post this - it's a remarkable performance. Any audience would have been on their feet after that.

Thoroughly enjoyed hearing you play my favorite ballade. The coda used to drive me crazy. My brother still reminds me how I would curse all the time while practicing specifically the coda. I eventually got it but not before saying every four letter word imaginable. Thank you, thank you. Much love.

this is by far my MOST FAVOURITE piano piece that i listen to almost 24hrs a day, back and firth from school to dinner, BUT ITS FRUSTRATING THAT I CHOSE THIS AS MY FAVORITE CUZ I CAN NEVER PLAY IT. KUDOS TO U WHO HAS GAINED A NEW SUBSCRIBER

I listened to this piece many, many times that I had been immune to feeling any emotion when I listened to this in the background but it all changed when I had depression and had to ignore all other genre except classical because it felt like my only safe haven... I was at my friend's house enjoying my time playing and reading... My friend had not seen me cry but I just told him I have depression but of course, to someone who never experienced it, he does not understand how hard it is to admit it... As my routine, I often listen to music when reading. Mostly Chopin since his Nocturnes and Ballades are making me aware and awake. Due to depression, I often ruminate/daydream about past experience... Basically anxiety but on a level that I am unable to control... This piece was playing while I had to stop reading in order to control myself from a panic attack... To my surprise, I made a story using this piece as like the emotional basis where each climax was a significant event in my life... The first dash here for me represents my joy as a student being as happy go lucky as any teen is... The second dash here is my depression, the start of the triggers, the various events that haunts and traumatize me for almost half a year, every single day up to now... The exclamation points... Is my future... And there is only 2 possibilities... One is my suicide, and the other is my growth Hope the latter will come and the former never😞... Thanks for reading

This piece is my no.1 favourite piece for these 4 years My current no.1 choice of interpretation is still Krystian zimerman. The emotions I felt within from sad n depressed slowly in to anger n frustration then serene and calm. Makes this piece so wonderful. Chopin piece always felt elegant no matter in what mood😘

Shame you can't hear me applauding you - bloody brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed every second of your playing PLUS I loved your commentary - such humour - LOL. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent - you made my day - no, my week!

This was amazing. This is my first time finding this channel and I very much enjoyed the way you added your thoughts and the music. Very cool to get a real time musician impression while listening. It doesn't hurt that you are such a talented player. Thank you

I am shocked...how difficult was that? yet you played it flawlessly, well done, young maestro.

Chopin has been my favorite composer for the 86 years of my life. (Well, at least from, say, age 8 upward.) I am such a fan that my friends called me Chopin. I know this Ballade well, but can play only parts of it-but it’s fun trying. As you know, it’s universally “required” in Chopin (and other) virtuoso piano competitions. Your captions were right on, and humorous in the right spots. (And If you didn’t nail it who could tell the difference? Marvelous!)

Thank you for presenting this in such a wonderful way. Your beautiful rendition, but also displaying the written music, which astounds me that sound is written, and I enjoyed your commentary as a musician.

How beautiful and well done. I’ve only played for 7 years but am so glad I was introduced to such intriguing pieces. Thank you! And I love your captions…. They help me and HOLY COW!!!

Never heard the Introduction so slow and so heavy... then Bingo! Chopin marked it LARGO, and added PESANTE.

This ballade always makes me think about the history of the man himself, as if it were his autobiography.

Thank you so much for a great performance and a wonderful way of presenting. I loved it. Lifted my spirits at a difficult time. Most grateful for your superb skills.

I love the commentary, it helps me appreciate the music like i never did when i was studying piano :)

Man you’re an amazing pianist. Blown away by how you played this!! It sounds like a professional recording!

I consider the coda of the 4th ballade more difficult, I absolutely LOVE the adoration you have shown (and shared) to the masterpiece. A love letter to the piano!

I LOVE, absolutely LOVE your explanations and thoughts throughout this magnificent piece of music!!! Beautifully played!!! Bravo 🙂

You're the MAN!! What an awesome and exciting performance! Your running commentary was also hilarious and informative to a retired piano player! Thanks!

Man I loved that you played those beautiful parts in the beginning/middle of the piece at a conservative speed. In most pro recordings and concerts I find them unnecessarily fast, and no matter how soft someone can play the piano, it just takes part of the beauty away. Very nicely done, bravo!

Thank you for EVERY aspect of this presentation. I loved the key to the left, the music at the top, your running commentary at the bottom - and OF COURSE - your brilliant performance !!! Bravo !!!! What an amazing gift and the dedication you have to perfect it - what a blessing to all listeners. Thank you again !!!

A pianist of your caliber and a piano of this quality deserve a more regular tuning schedule!! My favourite Chopin Ballade and your interpretation of it certainly did not disappoint!

That is the most insane classical piece I have ever heard and you did an amazing job!!! Kudos!

Ballade no. 1 finally dropped!! Definitely worth the wait! The little "map" is super useful and the text is as well! It helps understand the piece even further and enjoy the piece even more! (Which I didn't think was possible 😜)

just wanna say i love your videos and playing, especially the text at the bottom! keep up the great work king

Thank you so much for showing the music as you played it. This piece makes my heart sing. Beautifully interpreted.

It would be extremely difficult to overstate how much I love this video. Keep doing what you're doing!

I use a couple of hacks for the coda - 9:40 The melodic G - and subsequent occurrences - I take in the left hand as part of the chord (this means the pinky isn't holding the C anymore, but it's in the pedal anyway). Since the G is still played by a thumb you can bring it out easily and sing the line. I find it makes this corner a bit more fluid. 10:10 The descending Gm scale can be split between hands (I stole this one from Horowitz - it adds velocity and force to the scale which I think is necessary to motivate the ascending scale afterwards). Hope that helps someone somewhere!

Thanks so much for this fun and glorious breakdown of my all-time favorite Chopin piece. Well done!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Absolutely love your comments written thruout! You are truly a pianist's pianist! Bravo!

What I find amazing is musicians memorising a whole piece. I played piano until around 14. I had no idea how I remembered some pieces by heart! I barely remember what I did yesterday, Especially with such intricate pieces and played with such relaxation and ease is always so impressive to me, BRAVO!

Wunderschön, fantastisch . Vielen herzlichen Dank 👍🤗🎼🎶🌻🙋‍♀️

Beautiful and touching. Heart Rendering and Wonderful. Your playing is amazing. And the way you present this piece with all of the nuance and tidbits of information make it alive. I've heard this piece over and over and yet never quite heard it like you share here...Thank you! Bravo!

I loved your playing. It transported me when I needed to be transported. My dog is dying as we speak and my heart is broken, but you made me forget for a short time and I thank you so much. I love that piece, and your comments were great, but so was your playing.

I feel so much pain from Chopin in this piece, really hits hard (especially going through trying times myself… though nothing like Chopin did so there’s that!). Love your performance and there’s so much on screen I know I’ll be back to watch it again and totally focus on other parts!

This is one of my favorites pieces of Chopin and this is my favorite performance along with Tomoki Sakata's. This songs make me feel an emptiness in my heart haha. Surely Chopan is ballin form on high with this ❤

Thank you so much for sharing your mastery of this piece. I really appreciate your muscle memory and you have really ignited my love for Chopin again. I have subscribed to make sure I don’t miss another one. I haven’t played in years but will definitely take it up again as it fills such a need within.

Fantastic and amazing!! Excellent, excellent job! I love your commentary. Your skills are incredible. Thanks for posting this. I found it thoroughly enjoyable, educational and awe-inspiring!!

You were awesome, playing so brilliantly. I am so glad that you included the sheet music with this, allowing those that can read to follow along and marvel at your performance and that those that can not read to get a glimpse into what makes up this brilliant music. I wish you only the very best. You are quite talented.

I really appreciate the annotations and being able to follow the musical score. And your outstanding playing of course. Thank you so much.

Wow and I hit subscribe. Beautifully and powerfully done. You can hear all the layers that were/are Chopin. This gave me new insight into him. I’m sure doing commentary like that helps you grasp the piece and make it more manageable. Thanks for doing this and the fabulous work. Enjoy it!!!

I have listened to this so many times and each time I love it, I've compared it to so many other pianists. You have created something special - clear, crisp, articulated with great modulation. I've been listening to Horowitz play this - and, frankly, I think you blow him away.

Just wow! Amazing job! Keep up the amazing content. You are so talented!

Great job! Well played! I thought your playing of the coda was very smooth and clear. This piece is one I wish I could thank Chopin for. It's so amazing!

I have loved and listened to this piece for YEARS and never realized that the melody at 8:16 was the theme from the beginning, but in a major key. Thank you so much for this video!!! Subscribed!

One thing I love about your videos is the commentary below, so funny!, and so useful: it really helps me understand /what/ you're playing and how you feel about it (I don't know if this makes sense to you lol), especially for the pieces I can play myself - so I can put actual emotions in them. You're great :)

This channel is just next lever bro! Respect! Mixing virtuosity with humour is just the right way to progress in the modern piano world! Congratulations! Big thinks are waiting ahead of you!

WOW you're such an accomplished pianist, love your interpretations throughout!!

Superb! Chopin was a man who stood apart. Distinctive, enigmatic no, beautiful, passionate and sad all at one. I did so enjoy that. Thank you.

This is such a beautiful composition. I always enjoy hearing it. Bravo.