My Full Piano Ballade Suite

A valuable achievement. These ten works are intricate, shapely, and original. The set demonstrates a rare versatility of expression within the confines demanded by the form. The Ballades showcase the all-too-untapped wealth that springs from a disciplined assimilation of previous styles.

Beautiful, somethings we don't think there are still people can write like this, I didn't listen all but I'll come back, very nice, Congrats, you're Chopin indeed

Question, Chopin... Do you write these down? Or, are they improvised? I can see them either way. And.. either way, they're BRILLIANT. Good job.

They are all written down, however I only have the notation for for ballade 6, 7 and 9. I attached them just now, so feel free to browse through the notation.

This is an awful lot of music, and I didn't have time to listen to but one, Ballade No. 6, so far. The language reminds me of a strange mix between Chopin and Rachmaninoff -- there's some "Musical Moment No. 2" in this piece, to my ears, but the more contemplative side of F. Chopin is more prevalent.

It is a mostly brilliant piece, but some things I felt could be improved. It is glorious in its use of tonalities and harmonies and everything, but it's also a little bit of a mess, frankly. The largo and moderato sections simply do not blend well the way they are presented, in my opinion, even though they are fine in and of themselves. Honestly, just a few extra bars of space for better preparation between these sections would do a huge world of good for this piece of music, and the music you have here is really worth it. I also am at a loss as to why the majority of your ostinatos have slur groupings, but the melody of the piece hardly ever does -- why? I would think it much more important for the melody to be grouped the way you'd like, than add in the ostinato grouping as you see fit ...

These two things aside, I think it is overall fantastic work, but I think you're almost there, rather than all the way, in this particular work. The previous ballades I heard from you were 100%, not 98%

Thank you for sharing! I'll be back to look at more piece when I have the chance -- they really are a complete joy to listen to

Yes, just listened to Ballade No. 7 just now -- I think it is basically the 100% version of the previous Ballade I was talking about in the last comment I feel like everything came together really well in this particular Ballade. I felt the changes in mood in the sections were more convincing in this one.

The Vivace section was my favorite part -- absolutely gorgeous!

And now Ballade No. 9 -- this is my favorite so far! (Pity about the incomplete score, though -- it stops at measure 118...) I feel that the overall structure here is the strongest I've heard so far, although I'm completely splitting hairs in saying that. But I must ask -- why are these Ballades all so similar? These three Ballades I've heard so far ... they are harmonically similar to a very large degree, and in overall mood. They are like variations of the same piece ... is this intentional? But I think more variety would benefit an overall set -- you know, like in Chopin's Op 10 and Op 25 etudes. There are some cheerful pieces, some very dark and deeply pained pieces, and many things in-between. But this set is, ironically, sort of mono-tone in a way -- some honest-to-goodness dynamism would really liven things up. The 3rd Ballade has some storminess in it, which is truly very welcome, but it is really the only one in the set with some real intensity in it -- just because it is a set of Ballades doesn't mean the majority of them need to be so similar to each other.

I hope I'm not coming across as overly-critical -- I'm merely being honest about my impressions. I do believe you are a genius, for real, and your work ethic is surely extraordinary, but I also think you need to break out of your comfort zone some.

Again, I must say, despite my criticisms, these pieces are inspired, and beautiful, and even poignant. 5 stars, for certain =) Thank you for sharing, these are a joy to listen to!

ooo i would love to perform some of these ^^

this is really wonderful music I tell you, impressive that there are people that can write pieces like this today. Even if I haven't heard all of the ballades, but if I would say something about this as a listener, I would definitely have thought that I've heard this before, since these ballades sound pretty much like they've been copied by some great composer that lived over 100 years ago, I don't feel a personal style or something particularly unique in these pieces.
But of course you learn a lot about composing when writing pieces like this, structures and all that, and you managed it to sound really wonderful!

peace

For now I have just heard ballade no. 6. I detect Chopin/Rachmaninoff and a dash of French impressionist.

There is not much contrast in the music. But perhaps it is meant to be so. Is there any literary ballad behind this ?

Heartwarming melodies show up here and there.

Is this software executed or recorded ? It seems recorded. If so, are they improvised and then scored or vice versa ?

Wow this is Beautiful...Your really talented

These are certainly very accomplished, but to my ear, they sound like schizophrenic waterfalls after a deluge - I feel rather like I'm being knocked to and fro by the waves.

#2 and #6. I listened to these.
I assume the PC did the fancy fingerwork. I am in favor of revisiting ideas from the 19th century. But you have to make a strong case!

Your harmonic language is not clear. I am not convinced that you understand harmony and counterpoint/voice-leading. The pyrotechnics of the 19th c. were abandoned because they began to sound hollow. There are hundreds of left-behind composers, all piano virtuosi who wrote their own stuff: often arrangements of famous songs, opera arias or popular music of the day. One composer, Alkan is forever trying to be resurrected. His works are difficult.

The Ballade is a strange animal, and I cannot say I deeply understand the four that I know by Chopin. I know one by Brahms very well. It has a decided Scottish lilt to it, in the middle section. In all the cases I know, the works feel like they tell a long story, or a poem.

What Chopin and Brahms had was a plan. It was easier then, because the harmonies were more controlled - fewer choices. If you abandon tonic-dominant-centered harmony, but retain the trappings of 19th century style (extremely mannered style), you risk losing your listeners in a cascade of lovely effects.

I got thoroughly lost in the first, very long work. I had no idea where it was going.
My first composition teacher (whose music was clever but too mathematical) told me that I must be above all, convincing. You make an argument, which means you need a musical idea - a melody that is easy to remember in the case of a ballade (ballad).

Your job becomes that of story-teller. These are tone poems, if there is anything to Ballade at all.
If you want to extend traditional Western harmony in a meaningful way, I suggest you look into Jazz. There you will find the chords that you need, and you will get an idea of melody. The Jazz pianists are wonderfully represented on YouTube - the entire history.

Listen to the fastest/flashiest. You can jump in at Oscar Peterson and work your way back in time. Here you will see the pyrotechnics that you love and write out so well: but you will also hear an underlying structure - you will never be completely lost.

The reason for this is that Jazz, by and large did not stray from tonic-dominant theory. Later, sure - modal and aggressive be-bop. That's not what you want to say.

If you pare back one of your works to melody with chord symbols, what will it sound like to you? This might be an interesting exercise for you to try.
The Ballade needs to stand on its own harmonic legs - somehow. I would learn about Jazz chord extensions and alterations. These are readily available to read about on the Internet.

Once you are armed with a larger harmonic vocabulary, you will find more convincing melodies. Since Public Domain is now into the 1930s, you can experiment with an existing melody that has long been forgotten, as an arrangement, in your special style.

You have a remarkable ear - you hear all these extended passages. Most of us can't, because we can't play them easily.
With a little harmonic direction - a plan - you will create works that scintillate. good luck to you.

Chopin is just fitting... I listened to Ballad N°. 2 and immediately thought about ol' Fred playing for George Sand in a warm summer night.

I am deeply impressed by your ballades - the hour spent listeing was worth it, definitely, the years you spent composing as well!

these are beautiful!