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The short answer
Ballade: expression meets technique. Ballade is an etude by Friedrich Burgmüller from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 4, an estimate.
- etude
- Romantic
- gentle
- stormy
- block chords
Also known as Ballade, op. 100, no. 15; Burgmüller, Ballade.
History
Ballade is part of Burgmüller's 25 studies, Op. 100, first published in 1851. Written with small hands in mind, the collection combines technical study with musical expression.
Sources
What to listen for
A quiet, mysterious chord pulse
The upper part repeats C-minor chords while the lower part rests. Piano and misterioso are written at the opening. Let the repeated chords establish the three-eighth-note pulse without making each attack heavy.
The lower line comes alive
Sixteenth notes enter below the continuing chords, repeating C-B-C-G-A-B. Listen for the moving lower line as a new layer rather than letting the chord pulse cover it.
Rests reshape the lower figure
The lower part changes to detached C, E-flat and G gestures separated by rests. The upper chords continue. Compare this more spacious pattern with the preceding stream of sixteenth notes.
A held note under alternating colours
The lower A is held across these two bars, ending before a rest. The upper chord returns to G and then changes again to F-sharp. Let the sustained line remain present under the repeated attacks.
How to practise it
Keep the detached upper chords clear when the lower running figure joins.
- Coordinate chord notes.
- Distinguish connected lower motion from detached upper entries.
- Keep the short-note pulse even.
How hard is it
The early-intermediate proposal values clear coordination and contrasted phrase direction through the complete acquired study.
About this piece
- Collection
- The study studio
- Licence
- Public Domain
- Source
- mutopiaproject.org
More by Friedrich Burgmüller
- La CandeurLevel 3, estimatedOpen to everyone
- L'ArabesqueLevel 3, estimatedOpen to everyone
