The Ballades of Chopin

The Ballades

The first Scherzo along with the First Ballade were composed during Chopin's early years in Paris. The exactness of the dates of their composition have not been determined reliably, but probably neither work was begun before 1833. On Stylistic along with other evidence it is likely that they were drafted not long before their publication in 1835 and 1836 respectively. Whatever the precise composition dates of the Ballades are, the Scherzo and Ballade have a special significance within Chopin's output. They were the first of his extended compositions to turn aside from the genres of post-classical popular concert music (which included variation sets, rondos, and 'brilliant' concertos) as well as those of so-called 'Viennese' Classicism (including multi-movement sonatas and chamber works). The Two Polonaises of Op.26, composed in 1835, also mark a departure from these traditions. They are generically distinct from the polonaises of the Warsaw period.

Under Construction

Source:
Samson, Jim. Chopin: The Four Ballades. © Cambridge university Press 1992, New York, 1992.

Ballade No.3
Unlike its celebrated precursors with their long gestation times, required less than 24 months from its start in 1840 to its completion and publication in 1841. These months marked a high point in Chopin's Parisian career as well as in his doomed affair with Mme. Sand. Accounts exist of at least three public performances by Chopin of this work. Because Chopin told Robert Schumann that there was a literary source behind his inspiration - on rooted deep in Polish nationalism: the ballades of the composer's friend, the poet Adam Mickiewicz - Alfred Cortot linked this work to a specific poem. A summary by Cortot helps the listener to appreciate the narrative tone of this impassioned work:
"Ondine takes place beside the Lake of the Wilis, where a young man pledges his fidelity to a young girl he has seen there. Doubting the constancy of men and despite her suitor's protests, she withdraws and reappears as a charming Ondine. Scarcely has her tempted the young man than he succumbs to her enchantment. Cursed, he is drawn into the watery abyss and condemned to pursue her slippery, flickering image forever."

Source:

Frank Cooper. Program Notes for the Garrick Ohlsson, Piano Recital: Wednesday, March 20, 1996 at 8:00 pm. at the Ford Centre For The Performing Arts. 1996.

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