James Roberts, piano

Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)
Chopin’s first ballade begins with a haunting Neapolitan chord, which sets the stage for this passionate love story. The heartbroken first theme returns several times, in a formal structure using three themes following a flexible sonata-allegro form. The work closes with a technically and musically challenging coda. Final quick scales have been associated with the ripping of a love letter. Resignation at the close is illustrated with fast octave descending scales.