Hearing restraint become eruption
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Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric Chopin: Ballade No. 1, Op. 23 — Complete work — Wikimedia Commons source record
Ballade No. 1 Op. 23
PUBLIC DOMAIN RECORDINGFrédéric Chopin: Ballade No. 1, Op. 23 — Complete work — Wikimedia Commons source recordPlay full recording
00:00
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01 / The first 30 seconds
30-second entrance
Do not wait for the climax. The opening searches for a speaking voice—hesitant, testing—before the story opens.
00:00–01:20: hear the opening as a question; do not skip to the fast music.
02 / LISTEN FOR
Three things to wait for
- An opening that sounds like a question
- Rhythm becoming uneasy
- Climax pushed into being, not dropped in
03 / RIGHTS
Copyright and source
Wikimedia Commons
d9778293f57d99c368a83389b63815a4145105277ce9bb07c3773171aa0fff0804 / VERSION
Version / performer information
A Ballade needs structural patience. Sentimental versions burn too early; strong ones know when not to explode yet.