Chopin's music is characterized by a unique pianistic voice, full of curves and swirls, where even the slightest arpeggio or ornament is charged with soul, avoiding mere brilliance or ostentatious virtuosity.
Composer Biography
Chopin had an aversion to literary titles and musical programs, often expressing this ironically in his correspondence, and only used generic titles for his works.
Performer Biography
François Dumont, the pianist on this album, has won prizes at major international competitions including the Chopin Competition in Warsaw and the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels.
Compositional Technique
All four Ballades share a rocking, barcarolle rhythm, often iambic (short-long) in meter, and are primarily based on two themes or groups of themes.
Compositional Technique
The Ballades, Chopin's four great sound poems, are the first examples of this essentially vocal and narrative form being transposed to the piano.
Composition History
The Fantaisie-Impromptu (Op. 66) was published posthumously by Chopin's friend and copyist Julian Fontana, and was originally intended to remain private property of its dedicatee, Baroness d'Est.
Composition History
Chopin's first two Ballades (Op. 23 and 38) were inspired by the Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz, according to Schumann.
