The term "ballade" refers to a form of poetry that was popular in medieval Europe, often recounting tales of heroes, mythology, and romance.

This particular piece, Ballade No.1, was composed by Fr?d?ric Chopin in 1836 when he was 26 years old. It is said to be inspired by the poetic form of the ballade. Throughout his lifetime, Chopin composed a total of four ballades. Following the first, the second was composed in 1836, the third in 1841, and the fourth in 1842.

Ballade No.1 has gained fame through its use in the film "The Pianist" and in figure skating performances by athletes such as Mao Asada and Yuzuru Hanyu. Chopin's four ballades have had a significant impact on music, establishing the ballade as a distinct genre.

The piece begins with an introduction and revolves around a tranquil first theme and a second theme that showcases various facets, forming the narrative core of the composition. Notably, the use of intentional dissonance is prevalent throughout this piece. While Chopin is known for his elegance, he employs dissonance as a means of expressing the raw emotions inherent in the human experience. Performers are encouraged to appreciate the gradation between beauty and dissonance while playing this piece.

(Hiroki Takahashi)