Among the most dramatic of Chopin's pieces are his
ballades. A genre Chopin created, the term "ballade"
suggests that the music is supposed to tell a story.
Music theorists have argued about what that story might
have been, but we can all agree when listening to these
pieces that they do have a certain dramatic quality to
them. Specifically, their sudden mood changes rival a
Hollywood drama for effect as they tug at the
emotions.
Sadly, Chopin only wrote four ballades, but I have
writte...(+)
Among the most dramatic of Chopin's pieces are his
ballades. A genre Chopin created, the term "ballade"
suggests that the music is supposed to tell a story.
Music theorists have argued about what that story might
have been, but we can all agree when listening to these
pieces that they do have a certain dramatic quality to
them. Specifically, their sudden mood changes rival a
Hollywood drama for effect as they tug at the
emotions.
Sadly, Chopin only wrote four ballades, but I have
written a few myself. I wouldn't say they're as good as
Chopin's, and while inspired by his, they're not
necessarily the same sort of piece. Each of Chopin's,
for instance, tends to repeat certain themes
throughout, achieving drama by bringing each theme back
a little differently and leaving the listener on the
edge of their seat as they wonder how it's going to
sound next. This one is through-composed-it doesn't
have any themes that repeat at all, making it more like
the overture to a movie in form. Thus, you won't
recognize any themes in the piece from earlier, but
this means you'll have no idea what's coming next. If
I've done a good job on this, the different themes will
sound like what should come next in the
composition.
Enjoy, and if you want to play any of my other
ballades, send me an email at zisi@comcast.net. I have
16 as of this posting, though I hope to write more.
This piece is also Baltimore, #12 in the Camden Line
Suite.
Dedicated to Cal Ripken, Jr. (No. 8)
