Episode 1

Beginnings | Chopin's First Ballade

Frédéric Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G Minor was revolutionary for its time, and remains a jewel of the piano repertoire today. Touching on everything from Bellini to Cole Porter, poetry to politics, this episode reveals the potency of the piece's opening measures through the eyes (and hands) of acclaimed concert pianists Garrick Ohlsson, Emanuel Ax, Rebecca Penneys, Jerome Lowenthal, Gary Graffman, and Seymour Bernstein.

Episode 1

Featured tonebase Artists

This episode features the voices of world-class pianists and professors. All of the interviews in this episode come directly from their lessons on tonebase. Click below to view profiles and lessons.

Garrick Ohlsson

Excerpt from lesson on Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23

Since his triumph as winner of the 1970 Chopin International Piano Competition, pianist Garrick Ohlsson has established himself worldwide as a musician of magisterial interpretive and technical prowess.

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Emanuel Ax

Excerpt from lesson on Chopin's First Ballade and Barcarolle

Decorated Sony Classical recording artist and a perennial favorite on the big stage at Carnegie, Emanuel Ax is world-renowned for his solo and chamber music performances alike.

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Rebecca Penneys

Excerpt from lesson on Chopin's Nocturne in C-sharp minor Op. 27 No. 1

Professor Emeritus at the Eastman School of Music, Rebecca Penneys is a recitalist, chamber musician, orchestral soloist, educator, and adjudicator, known for her unique pianistic vision.

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Jerome Lowenthal

Excerpt from interview with Jerome Lowenthal, NYC 2019

Once a student of formidable 20th century pianists Alfred Cortot and William Kapell, Juilliard professor Jerome Lowenthal is a living legend of the piano.

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Seymour Bernstein

Excerpt from lesson on Chopin's Prelude in E Minor Op. 28 No. 4

An illustrious performer and now, a world-renowned pedagogue, Seymour Bernstein's incredible life is the subject of the critically acclaimed documentary "Seymour: An Introduction" directed by the actor Ethan Hawke.

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Gary Graffman

Excerpt from commentary on Chopin's Second Ballade

Curtis Institute faculty member and the teacher of Lang Lang and Yuja Wang, Gary Graffman has been a major figure in the music world since his debut with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1947 at the age of eighteen.

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Recordings used in this episode

Bach-Rachmaninoff: Gavotte from Violin Partita No.3 in E, BWV 1006, Andrew Tyson performing, recorded by tonebase, published October 10, 2020 on Youtube. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiEzdspj-7c.

Chopin: Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23, Emanuel Ax performing, part of album, “Chopin: Ballades & Mazurkas; Scherzos and other works,” 17 October 2005, RCA.

Chopin: Polonaise in F# Minor, Op. 44, Arthur Rubinstein performing, recorded September 27, 28, 1950 & March 12, 1951, released 1999, BMG Music. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEh9Y68fGqI.

Chopin: Ballades No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23, Arthur Rubinstein performing, 5 March 1965, published 23 June 2019 to Youtube. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-y2Lhdzb5s.

Chopin: Scherzo in C sharp minor, Op. 39, Daniil Trifonov performing, 2010, The Fryderyk Chopin Institute (NIFC), Polish Television (TVP), National Audiovisual Institute (NInA). Published 19 February 2016 to Youtube. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyZmzXMHItI.‍

‍Brahms: Piano Concerto #1 In D Minor, Op. 15 - 1. Maestoso, Leon Fleisher, George Szell, and Cleveland Orchestra performing, part of album, “Brahms: Piano Concertos, Handel Variations, Waltzes,” 1997, Masterworks Heritage.

Porter: “Don't Fence Me In,” Gene Autry performing, originally released 1944 Sony BMG Music Entertainment, re-released 18 August 1987, Columbia Historic Edition. Published 9 February, 2015 to Youtube. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QEM6UAyicA.

Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra performing, recorded live at the Barbican Centre on Sunday 24 September 2017. Published 2 October 2017 to Youtube. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkwqPJZe8ms&t=266s.

Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67, Leonard Bernstein, Wiener Philharmoniker performing, UMG. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lHOYvIhLxo&t=58s.

Boieldieu: La Dame Blanche - Ballade: "D'ici voyez ce beau domaine", Jane Berbié, Pierre Stoll, Orchestre Symphonique & Chœur de Paris performing, 1961. Published 22 May 2015 to Youtube. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T2N4lsBSbg.

Chopin: Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38, Gary Graffman performing, originally released 1959, Sony Music Entertainment.

Bellini: "L'abbandono,” Montserrat Caballé, Miguel Zanetti, 1981, part of album, “Montserrat Caballe: Italian Operas Arias & Lieder/Airs D'Operas & Melodies (Artistes Repertoires),” first available 10 February 2007, BMG International. Published 9 January 2013 to Youtube. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otME3yhi8CA.

Chopin: Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23, Vladimir Horowitz performing, 1965, part of album, “Horowitz: The Historic Return; Carnegie Hall 1965; The 1966 Concerts,” released 25 October 1993, Sony Music Entertainment. Published 4 November 2013 to Youtube. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvVRvNDHnbw.

Chopin: Ballade in G minor, Op. 23, Arthur Rubinstein performing, recorded 1963, Nijmegen, Holland. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7GtUKE-Ju0.

Chopin: Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23, Emanuel Ax performing, part of album, “Chopin: Ballades & Mazurkas; Scherzos and other works,” 17 October 2005, RCA.