Ballade #2 in F minor

I would like to share with you guys one of my most complex and hardest compositions I have composed. There is just one more piece I have composed which is even crazier than this piece, which is my Ballade #3. If you have about 12 minutes to spare, just sit back and enjoy one of my best romance compositions!

1. Techniques used/Inspiration/Goal of composition

I improvised on the piano to get ideas. My goal was to create a modernistic, and highly romantic work, but at the same time I wanted to put in some "classical" qualities. My inspiration is Chopin and Rachmaninoff. The base of the piece was influenced by the first movement of Chopin's piano concerto number 2 in F minor. Thus, that's why the piece is in F minor.

The piece only has one main theme. The theme is laid out for the listener in the first few measures. I do many variations on just the one theme, however, these variations lead to different ideas. Also, some of the variations are so hard to pick out as being a derivative of the main theme, that you probably won't even realize the piece is a play on one single theme. For example, 5:50 - 6:25 is a variation of the main idea, but it is very hidden, I think at least.

2. How long it took to compose the piece

A very long time. Possibly 6 or 7 months, and this is with composing a few hours a day.

3. Structure of your piece

4/4 time, but there really is no structure. It is one of my most free form works.

4. Obstacles when composing

I was just learning how to write arpeggios, so I took hours trying to get one simple arpeggio to sound right. It is very easy to sound redundant or disorganized, especially in a free form work, so I had to be extra careful about this.

5. Summary of overall piece

Well, the piece describes how romance can be wonderful and create a dreamy mood. However, no matter how wonderful romance is at times, even if it appears to work out well between two people, it can certainly fail and break apart unexpectedly, such as in this case. This usually happens if the feelings aren't mutual anymore, or if the relationship is immature, or if one person doesn't really know what he/she wants. The romance was going well, until the last minute of the composition.

Toward the end of the piece, I express anger, fury and agitation, which is an indication that things are getting rocky. Sometimes love can turn into hatred, which is what I am trying to state here. The arpeggio at 11:37 indicates the moment at which the feelings are completely broken, despite the absolutely wonderful romantic feelings between the two partners previously. The repeat of the main theme again toward the very end just means that the cycle will repeat, and it is time to move on and try again.

Deep, I know...I am an emotional composer :wacko:

Ballade #2 in F minor

Yes Nico...it is very Chopin, however I do not think it is an exact replica. I do hear some originality in there. It is a beautiful piece! I hope one day I can compose like you! I really cannot say anymore, I am not qualified to critique this piece.

Very nice,

- Jen :wacko:

I actually rather adore this piece sir Chopin. Since i'm really busy I won't talk in depth about this piece as of now but I do think for one theme, you might have pushed the limit. I suggest making it a little bit shorter because I had to try to pay attention to the whole piece. At points I had to stop and rewind.

but I do think for one theme, you might have pushed the limit. I suggest making it a little bit shorter because I had to try to pay attention to the whole piece. At points I had to stop and rewind.

Good point. There are alot of things I would have done differently had I composed this today. I know this is very difficult listening. That is a big negative of some of my ballades...they are just too difficult to listen through. There are alot of things happening in the piece. Again, this piece isn't meant for "easy" listening, but "critical" listening. That is why I named it a Ballade. Think of it as, a short story or poem that progresses, and things can get pretty complicated. I wrote this a few years ago when I was alot less experienced, but I still feel this is perhaps my best work to this date, aside from Ballade #3. In fact, I think my newest Ballade #4 isn't nearly as good, because it is alot more conservative. But the tradeoff is, it is much easier to listen to and follow.

However, it's nothing new. Nor is my own music, but i think this is the epitome of imitation.

I may not have the liberty to say this since I am the author of this piece, but I have to disagree with you about my "imitation" of Chopin. I actually had more of a Rachmaninoff influence in this piece. The piece may sound Chopinish, and the style may be Romanticism, but I feel my ideas are unique, at least some of them. If you were to see the sheet music, you may be surprised how weird the sheet music looks. For example, it is not something Chopin would have written, at least back in the 1800's.

I am not meaning to sound defensive at all, the piece is just more Rachmaninoff influenced if anything, that's all.

I like a lot of your ideas in this piece. The parts that really stuck out to me were when striking rhythmic changes occurred. It was moving along in a nice 4 beats gait, and then suddenly in a part it switches to triplets in the bass. Its very striking when this sort of thing happens and immediately makes the listener (or maybe just me because i'm weird) sit up and take notice.

I really want to give you a review, Chopin. Most especially after the great review you gave my Piano Concerto (btw, I'm about to post some revisions I made to the first movement in my Piano Concerto thread, and I'd especially like your take on what I've done).

But I need to be able to see the score to do a proper review. I look forward to seeing the score!

But I need to be able to see the score to do a proper review. I look forward to seeing the score!

The score would take an extremely long time to engrave. I wrote this piece using a software no one uses, and the midi would be of no help. Don't worry if you can't offer a review, I just wanted to share one of my most complex works. If anything, thanks for listening :)

but it really comes off as Chopinesque

I have no problem accepting that. After all, he is my teacher. Maybe one of these days I will try to write in a complete unique style, but that just isn't my goal right now. I don't want to sound "too" modernistic. Yet, I don't want to sound classical. I think I fall somwhere in between.

You know what? It doesn't sound like anybody. It sounds like you. It's brilliant. One of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. There's absolutely nothing I can criticise about it without sounding like a snob. Your chord progressions and your fluttery notes are so much like a harp, it's like silk to the ears. It's so beautiful. I can just see a beautiful woman when I listen to this. It's so romantic.

Good point Nico. Regardless, this piece is awesome and who cares who it sounds like, it does have a lot of originality, with Chopin/Rachmaninoff influence, and I think it is great!

- Jen

If it does sound like Scriabin, that would be pretty wild since I know nothing about him, and the only 2 composers I really studied are Chopin and the Rach (also some limited Liszt). But I will be happy to share the score with all of you once I complete the engraving.

For those of you who weren't so fond of this piece, I do have more traditional compositions. In fact, my recent compositions are more on the traditional side, but I am not that happy with sticking with tradition. I want to be "wild". Therefore, I am going to write free form works again :D. However, my 3 scherzos follow more of a pattern and are probably much easier to follow. One of these days I will post them.

this is wonderfullll! it sond me like scriabin and rachmaninoff (my 2 favourite composers) so thanks for post this. do you have a score??? i really want to play it in my next concert, i

I'm glad you brought this thread up again Patoshpiano!

This piece is absolutely beautiful. I can't really recall pieces is listened too which touches me the way this one does, without it being an well know masterpiece by a great composer.

What are you working on Chopin?

Wow, this is an old one of mine. Thanks for taking the time to listen and for your kind words. Unfortunately I didn't take the time to typeset this piece, however I have scores to the following pieces of mine:

2 nocturnes and 1 waltz (fairly short and easy to play, compared to my ballades)

Ballades 6 and 7 (longer, and on the more difficult level)

I won't do shameless advertising of my old threads ;) so if you are interested in the sheet music to the above, you can either search for my music threads and download the PDF's, or you can personally PM me, and I will guide you to the threads.

What are you working on Chopin?

Currently on a 9th Ballade. I also just finished recording my Ballade 3, which I will publish for you guys as well.

oh please Chopin, my friend,,, make the score please, i really want to play this, its orgasmic...but i really need the score to play it for next semester on music school... so, i