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Book Size: 8 1/2 x 11 * * * * * * CHOPIN composed four Ballades; the first, in G minor, opus 23, was published in June, 1836; the second, in F major-A minor, opus 38, in September, 1840; the third, in A flat, opus 47, November, 1841; and the fourth, in F minor, opus 62, in February, 1843. In his Studies in Modern Music, W. H. Hadow has said some pertinent things about Chopin. Yet we must not unconditionally accept his statement that in structure Chopin is a child playing with a few simple types; and almost helpless as soon as he advances beyond them; in phraseology he is a master whose felicitous perfection of style is one of the abiding treasures of the art. Chopin then, according to Hadow, is no builder of the lofty rhyme, but the poet of the single line, a maker of the phrase exquisite. This is hardly comprehensive enough. With the more classic, complex types of musical organism Chopin had little sympathy, nevertheless he contrives to write two movements of a piano sonata that are excellent -- the first half of the B flat minor Sonata. But he preferred the idealized dance-forms; the Polonaise, Mazurka, and Waltz were already in existence for him to manipulate. The Ballade was not. Here he is not an imitator or remodeller, but creator. Not loosely jointed, but compact structures glowing with genius and of a definite unity in form and expression are the Ballades -- commonly written in six-eight and six-four time. None of Chopin's compositions sur- passes in masterliness of form and beauty and poetry of contents his Ballades.

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9781722061388

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