100% Credit to Ashish Xiangyi Kumar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzJYbaAp7eQ
If you don't know him, please consider checking him out.

I just change the time marking, everything else I put in the quote-unquote is by him.

"
EXPOSITION
0:02 – Theme 1, F major, a siciliano/pastoral
2:06 – Theme 2, A min or
DEVELOPMENT/FALSE REPRISE
3:03 – Theme 1, F major. Looks like a reprise, but –
3:20 – veers off course, into harmonically complex modulatory territory. This section is where the heavy lifting that shifts the entire tonal centre of the work takes place.
5:11 – Theme 2 [In D minor, which is revealed to be a suspension that resolves to A minor. This section substitutes for a reprise proper.]
CODA/CLOSING SECTION – 5:53 [References to Themes 1/2]

"

You can see 3:20 is a big moment there.

All comments from YouTube:

@oanes8447

6y↑985

Chopin is just completely out of this world, his ballads are so incredible his sound is so unique, divine

@asrlsog

5y↑33

Absolutely. His Scherzos too.

@L4AH4N1889

5y↑14

4b Indeed ! He was the sound of Hheaven.

@eloisanzara237

4y↑1

Hayato

@orchidlover8328

4y↑5

The most soothing and stimulating composer. Happy sigh.

@MrProass

3y↑5

Chopin and liszt are both nutcases pianist that writes one of the hardest to play and insanely good pieces

7 More Replies...

@Andrea-hc4kz

4y↑579

I don't get why when this Ballade was released, some critics said that it's one of Chopin's less ingenious compositions. I think it's sort of personal, but this Ballade is mad amazing. Maybe it doesn't sound as romantically beautiful as, let's say the 1st or the 4th Ballade, but the whole melody, vibe, and progression are just brilliantly composed, wonderful. The complexity is insane too, anyway. Perfect art creation.

@segmentsAndCurves

3y↑65

Schumann said that, right?
I think it wasn't without some truth cause this is less interesting. But again I think this is what Chopin intended. A boring lie (1st theme, which goes on through the piece) that cover a shocking truth (2nd theme, which builds the piece's climax).

@Andrea-hc4kz

3y↑26

@Tien Trien Nguyen yes, Schumann said that. I guess so, yeah i think i agree with your statements

@alexyedidia

2y↑19

Agreed. This ballade is out of this world stunning. Just like the rest of them

@danielantunovic459

2y↑33

I love the coda in this one, it's really relentless and fully develops the second theme, laying it to rest. The final notes echoing the very first, perhaps longing to travel back in time?

@danielantunovic459

2y↑5

But yes, perhaps less interesting thematically as 1 and 4? They have more "moving parts" but it's all subjective.

14 More Replies...

@e.hutchence-composer8203

5y↑198

This is my favourite of Chopin’s ballades. I love all four off them, they each tell their own deep, intimate emotional story. But I like this one a tiny bit more :)

@yulianshvets

4y↑13

it is truly genuine! this one starts in major key, but throughout all the major part of the piece you have the precise understanding that it is coming to an end in minor key. Of course all of them are perfect in their own way, i usually say that ballades are like a story of a person's lifeline, because the material during each piece is unique and unrepeated, but always reminds of what has been before. Along with them i can remind of other story-like pieces, such as polonaise-fantasie op. 61, which is often called as a 5th ballade, or barcarolle, this pieces also provide similar feeling

@bigruss8103

3y↑7

Personally I’m stuck between 4 and 1

@aliceko4695

2y↑5

Personally I love all four so I cannot choose.

@BorkCoC

@Alice Ko same

@baldmista1907

34w

@@aliceko4695dude same, literally every single ballade has something that I love. The first ballade’s middle part is amazing, 2nd ballade’s coda is amazing, as well and 3rd and 4th.

@jankawiorski

5y↑376

One of the saddest and the wisest music masterpieces. It starts with the same notes which it ends. Like life.

@isasimonsen4774

4y↑24

Yeah exactly! Although they arr not really the same, the piece begins with the repetition of the c, and end with an a

@yulianshvets

4y↑17

@Isa Simonsen you are right, not exactly the same note, but similar section as it begins with

@jamestsindos946

4y↑6

a lot of chopin starts and ends on similiar if not exact notes. inspiring

@babygirl4169

3y↑2

That's why it's my fav from his Ballades

@Ace-dv5ce

2y↑2

Wouldn’t call this sad

9 More Replies...

@daichifurukawa803

5y↑732

I’m a Japanese high school student.Last month,he came to Niigata,Japan and played this works.
I couldn’t leave my seat after he finished playing because I was moved .
I hope l can see him and hear his playing again.

@arik.2890

5y↑32

that's actually cool

@vhallis

5y↑64

you are so lucky

@yurito3171

4y↑11

@Reon Connata yes you are CHAMP

@batuhankaya5837

4y↑11

@Reon Lights I think He mean his soul fly away but his body couldn't move couse of interpretation

@thedon8219

4y↑6

I'm incredibly jealous of you :P I've fallen in love with his playing, and wish to see him live one day. However, since I'm in the UK it seems somewhat difficult, so I may have to travel to see him play.

17 More Replies...

@FelipeDChs

5y↑211

This is the best version I've ever heard of ballade no. 2, NO ONE can play the coda like zimerman does.

@alexs1504

4y↑6

I love Kissin's too

@unsolvedcrimes7715

4y↑6

what about pogorelich at the chopin competition?

@tatjanameister9124

4y↑3

Dina gaia Formisano Pogorelich is incomparable!!! His version is crazy, the nec plus ultra!

@yulianshvets

4y↑2

same as of other ballades! i often hear this point of view and personally agree with it completely! zimerman's ballades performance is on top of all! the masterpiece

@marvin5659

4y↑1

That would be true without Artur Rubinstein

4 More Replies...

@FL2070

4y↑563

zimerman is one of the best pianists to ever live.

@michaelashkenazi9282

4y↑14

agree

@lczq6737

4y↑60

He won the Chopin competition and got nearly all the best awards

@lesterrosenwinkel4475

4y↑6

Michael Ashkenazi has UO oguogiuoghg chuckle why

@operapiccina

4y↑5

I agree!!!

@yulianshvets

4y↑21

truly one of the greatest! i think his interpretation of this and other ballades during this performance is perfect, i suppose this way chopin wanted his pieces to be played

14 More Replies...

@markahmadieh7003

3y↑76

The Second Ballade is absolutely haunting when it's calm, and very frightening when it's not.. I can't get over how subtle and mellifluous the melody is, yet how the complex harmony beneath it goes from calm to agitated, and keeps building to that insane climax at the end.. Makes it hard to catch your breath

@patrickwang3070

TOGETHER AND APART WE DESTROY GUDAL AND KENT

@chrisdarveaux3307

2y↑31

By far the most mature interpretation I've ever seen of this piece. Everyone else seems to jumble the notes together but this man's breathing is second to none and his phrasing is flawless

@Strimlarn87

7y↑494

5:35 - ending. That is some of the best Chopin I've heard.

@qrstw

6y↑29

just out of curiosity... is surstrommingsson your real last name?

@FirstGentleman1

6y↑5

I agree with you on that.

@panosmpasiourasserrano7449

6y↑18

bro that last name is so metal

@Tizohip

6y↑9

I imagine a storm in the first time i hear this music.

@antonygonzalez1672

5y↑21

The coda is my favorite part of this 2nd one

12 More Replies...

@AcousticBruce

17w

This is somehow becoming a favorite Ballade of mine. 1 then 4 and 3 and now this. I love them all, however this one is growing on me like an acquired taste and it is definitely opening my mind.

@supremetaco5349

2y↑32

What an emotional rollercoaster, in a good way. Starts with a joyful and beautiful melody, but hints to subtle sadness. Then it just explodes into beautiful chaos, and back to a calm melody, right before breaking into an even more chaotic melody. In the end, it resolves and damn, one of the most beautiful endings I've ever heard. Thank God you made music for all of us to enjoy, chopin. You will be missed.

@BrinaSun

2y↑1

@supremetaco5349

2y↑1

@Brian Sun hi

@GaneshBhambarkar

4y↑1.1K

They had us in the first half not gonna lie

@shuaybmuhammad1037

3y↑31

exactly

@ShadowShinobi108

3y↑76

HAHHA same thought when I first listened to this. Even now that I've heard it tons of times, that drop still makes me jump a lil

@porple4430

2y↑47

Who said you can't have a beat drop in classical music?

@trebleclef9844

2y↑2

not gonna lie

@trebleclef9844

@porple true

6 More Replies...

@booboosready

1y↑10

Chopins music is a gift to the ear. You receive something when you hear it. I find no better way to respond to Chopins music other than to say “thank you.” And Zimerman is truly amazing the way he plays. Love love love.

@lczq6737

4y↑34

In my opinion, Chopin's ballades might be the best works in piano literature. Of course there are so many great composers and pieces, there is not definite.

@abrakadaniel5908

4y↑7

Absolutely right. His ballades are my favorite pieces and are awakaning the most emotions in me. But many other composers are incredibly too. We shouldn't compare them. Everyone had a different style.

@JamesIdentity

Louis C. Agreed. I can't really think of much that would surpass the Ballades. Perhaps some Beethoven Sonatas but thats probably it.

@yulianshvets

for me the same! as everyone say, many other composers are beautiful and we shouldn't compare but this pieces touch my (and not only) heart in a unique way, like no other pieces do

@luciano9500

3y↑4

There's no doubt about it. Chopin Ballades, and all his compositions, are multi-layered and three dimensional.. no other pieces for piano come close to achieve this qualities. Seriously, listen to Beethoven,Mozart, Liszt, Debussy pieces and compare to Chopin's. In my opinion Chopin is the greatest composer of them all.

@lavatrex6736

2y↑1

@Luciano they’re fourth dimensional honestly

@etacarinae2798

4y↑27

The second and fourth ballades as well as Barcarolle are just the most beautiful pieces ever written for the piano.

@brianbixler5665

4y↑4

Chopin's 4th Scherzo, and, The 4th Movement of the B minor Sonata, are in my Liszt 😎

@user-ij7nh9kd6k

48w↑1

3d scherzo too!

@bockstaboi6638

35w

I would argue 1st and 3rd ballads are far more beautiful than the 2nd and 4th

@roxiethecockapoo1138

41w↑4

They all talk about the first, the fourth. Some mentioned the third. But no one I've heard has mentioned the second, so I came to check it out.
It's beautiful, and quite underrated in my opinion. I wish people would mention it a bit more.

@andrew_li

5y↑18

Not sure which ballade I like the most. This is one is out of this world though. Incredible piece.

@cjg8763

5y↑2

No.2 and No.3 constantly battle over my favorite ballade. But all 4 of them are beautiful masterpieces.

@manuelbes

I battle between 2 & 3 for my second place, after the first ballade :v

@andrew_li

5y↑2

If I had to pick I would probably choose 1 and 2. But both are completely different in context.

@manuelbes

5y↑2

@Andrew Li yeah me too

@Permaclok

4y↑21

Even if I love the 1st Ballade best, I honestly think this one has the best coda... out of any Romantic music.

@molylepke9522

Both the first and the second's coda are out of this world.

@MrHector133

I recommend you to listen to the 4th Ballade

@kino4416

5y↑23

Oh my goodness, I'm absolutely blown away. The ending completely mesmerized me and took my breath away. Absolutely beautiful. So much soul put into this performance.

@nunyabusiness4606

3y↑7

His performance of the coda is unbelievable in this piece. Best recording I've ever heard, hands down.

@patrickwang3070

CAN INDIANS DESTROY GUDAL AND KENT

@kingsfort1

10y↑99

I feel when I watch Zimerman that he simply embodies the music and the composer's intentions. His modesty is so beautiful to watch. In fact I listen to this with the images off: which is probably what Zimerman would prefer. Simply spectacular technique in a style he knows so well. Hard to find contemporary Chopin playing to match this.

@fatimasousa8573

David Munro l

@shadowjuan2

4y↑2

David Munro
Doctor David, I agree with everything you have said, Zimmerman plays chopin as organically as it can get.

@jamesm4334

2y↑11

5:54 is a peak chopin melody that makes me have goosebumps everytime i hear it

@patrickwang3070

CAN LIZ AND JAMES DESTROY GUDAL AND KENT

@vishwakmusic9314

Yes! It's really scary sometimes. Sometimes angry

@juliocesarlarocca7465

4y↑5

La mejor interpretación que he oído... no hay otra cómo está!

@crab3086

23w

he touches the keys in such a way where it feels as if your heart is ripping out of your chest. Zimerman is incredibly talented at portraying chopins beautiful composition. absolutely breathtaking; the piece and the player. the sound of every note being pressed sends literal goosebumps down my spine everytime i listen to this ballade, no matter how much i replay.

@shuatock8216

2y↑3

This piece is so incredible. It’s regarded to be much less than I think it truly deserves

@patrickwang3070

2y↑1

BC CHINESE PEOPLE CAN DESTROY GUDAL AND KENT

@cjg8763

5y↑11

Chopin's music is so full and rich, so melodic, so beautiful. It's like he must have literally become the piano when writing his music.

@patrickwang3070

2y↑1

CAN CJ ANDERSEN THE BRONCOS RB DESTROY GUDAL AND KENT

@yalsem

46w

@Patrick Wang ok

@user-hk8ti8po4b

2y↑6

The second ballad's coda is full of anger and passion. It feels so cool and beautiful to hear Zimmermann's performance. As always, Zimmermann's ballad performance is the best in the world. Every time I listen to his ballad, I feel bette

@user-iv7zh1lo2g

46w↑4

Все на своем месте. Не превращено в шоу «кто выше быстрее сильнее». Разучивая эту балладу, ориентируюсь на данное исполнение. Для меня золотая середина. Именно так должно звучать это произведение

@brandonralphs1717

24w

My favorite moment in this piece is the climax that happens at 2:39. The build up and release with that powerful chord over that low F flat leaves me breathless every time

@GoogleUser-ee8ro

2y↑13

I dont know how other feel about this ballade. I have had enormous joy and satisfaction in learning this piece, thought still struggling with some technical parts. Chopin's ballades, every single one of them is a germ.

@johnnysins3795

2y↑13

a germ

@ryanfarrel7397

2y↑4

germ…

@fachriyasir661

20w

you mean gem no?? ghghghghg

@JaZoN_XD

6y↑42

I always wish this piece was longer. What great expression by Zimerman.

@user-li6ds4fq8e

1y↑5

It's pretty funny how even when chopin sounds really easy to play he is still difficult, even the beginning of the ballade seems to be so easy and calm but yet in order to get this pure sound you need hours and hours of practice

@AcousticBruce

17w↑1

Years. At least for me.

@hannastaszak1684

2y↑2

Arcydzieło, rewelacja ! Chopinie, geniuszu ❤️

@SirVTropic

16w

Love the choral-like/sacral passages, chopin sometimes includes in his pieces

@DerekLowePianist

2y↑10

Chopin dedicated this to Schumann, who Chopin wasn't completely fond of. Still, this matches Schumann's distinct style. Wonderful Masterpiece!

@nintendianajones64

1y↑4

Agreed. This was clearly in the style of Schumann and still better than anything Schumann wrote. So it probably pissed him off. Schumann was notoriously jealous of Chopin's ability, especially after Chopin rejected his friendship.

@kwami-senpai2800

32w↑2

I remember studying this in music. Was dedicated to Schumann who apparently had bipolar disorder, so the jarring switch between the calm and violent motifs were to embody the switches in personality Schumann would have had. Chopin is just so unbelievably talented tbvh!!!

@sotatasfreak1691

24w↑2

Didn’t Schumann say that this piece is inferior compacted to other works of Chopin or smth like that

@fredsomething6561

5y↑80

He is so good. He always make me think this is chopin who is playing the piano right now.

@video1248

4y↑1

Ian Kim wow! You know that?! Where did you find that information?

@manuelbes

4y↑5

I don't think he was that shy but he just hated concerts

@youmiau

@Ian Kim pues menuda gira se marcó en el 48 por todo el norte de Europa, Inglaterra con llenos apabuyantes. Ya quisiera ser yo tan tímido.
Lo que pasa es que su música le gusta a exhibirla en audiencias pequeñas, no en grandes salas llenas de gente, esa era su preferencia.

@archiesarna-howard460

4y↑61

i wonder what emotional awakening or trauma one would need to go through in order to even imagine composing this yourself truly incredible.

@TwelfthRoot2

49w↑1

i wonder if he just had such a powerful musical genius that was ripping itself around within his brain and just needed to come out. luckily for us we can witness it.

@ricardotoledo8834

3y↑2

Um poeta da alma interpretado por um grande artista!

@rasdan1192

4y↑16

2:38
I just love how it builds up, and the emotions suddenly changed.

@vishwakmusic9314

Agreed

@FockeWulfFW200

4y↑10

The best 7:13 minutes of music ever played in whole human history, in my opinion.

@DLPlanes

3y↑1

listen to him play all 4 ballades 😉

@cemcago1962

5y↑136

Why ıs nobody talking about that change in tone around 3:20. I mean that is just so painfully beautiful.

@segmentsAndCurves

4y↑10

I like tone changing in this peice, those transition is so good.

@pauldong

3y↑3

because everyone cares about the presto con fuoco coda

@segmentsAndCurves

3y↑1

@Rhinosaur Yeah, sometimes I come here just for the coda.

@segmentsAndCurves

3y↑4

@trynadyna9662

I know I'm three years late to this comment but I'd like to point out that 3:20 is the exposition of the final motif of the piece. (6:47) Very beautiful and basically incepts this melody in your head so that when it arrives at the end it feels like a distant memory. At least that's how I interpret it.

@ernestoalanis2852

5y↑9

J’aime beaucoup sa interpretation, il est genial.

@patrickwang3070

HISPANIC PEOPLE DESTROY GUDAL AND KENT

@ichkdg2

5y↑10

Best interpretation, even better than his own CD version

@jnmusic9969

2y↑1

I absolutely love how he plays the second descending melody, such clear and crisp clarity in the notes

@hannastaszak1684

3y↑5

Piękno muzyki Fryderyka Szopena to fenomen graniczący z cudem. Dzieło stuleci i symbol naszego narodu.

@fulviojommelli6193

4y↑15

Chopin would play it like this. Impeccable and expressive. Perfect. The best interpretation of this piece.

@cuball2484

5y↑6

That intro is one of the sweetest melodies.

@alexandrevia

O melhor intérprete das baladas de Chopin chama-se Krystian Zimerman. Perfeito.

@alexkali33

43w↑1

I get goosebumps every time I listen to this

@hannastaszak1684

3y↑2

Piękno muzyki Fryderyka Chopina to fenomen graniczący z cudem.

@eureka9217

Oj tak byczq +1

@yes-fq6jd

5y↑16

2:05
Like thunder coming from the azure sky.... I love it!

@espressonoob

mc ride loves chopin

@harperette

2y↑12

i've been listening to this for 2 minutes And 5 seconds and it's so relaxing !! can't wait to listen to it with my easily scared child

@lavatrex6736

2y↑4

Lmaoo

@PokemonParadise2010

2y↑6

This piece was adapted to a remix by Hanabi, he did a brilliant job incorporating Chopin's ballad ending into his piece, and modifying it to fit his piece!

@HANABI_Music

2y↑2

Hey! Thank you so much for the shoutout! I'll be uploading the piece to my YouTube channel soon so be on the lookout for it!

@marshan1226

4y↑4

Hands down the best interpretation on YouTube

@aeroyip4941

6y↑22

Best version I’ve ever heard!

@lindaunger4233

4y↑51

6:56 I have never heard silence that beautiful before.

@shadowjuan2

4y↑7

They say perfect doesn’t exist, I disagree. This is perfection.

@randomcubing7106

4y↑32

me listening to the codas of the ballades:
wow, beautiful
me playing them:
how can zimerman's hands be so nimble!?

@riccardobattistini6926

Hahahaha so true

@esauponce9759

2y↑1

Now I’m in love with this ballade!

@brianbixler8208

Does it occasionally come to your mind in it's passionate inner contents ?

@user-rz6pj5zb7p

3y↑1

it is shame that many people have been sleeping on this masterpiece

@markgiroux_

2y↑1

They're not sleeping, they passed out from the excitement

@TheXPERT891

6y↑64

4:58 - End. Simply amazing

@TwelfthRoot2

6y↑8

JayTee how a human being sat down and wrote this on paper is unbelievably astonishing. I am nothing :)

@cmcckakadlam

One of the finest pianist with the best interpretation of Chopin

@kaenbedehem950

5y↑248

2:06 What a beautiful piece of mu-JESUS CHOPIN I ALMOST HAD A HEART ATTACK

@giorgosboultadakis4592

5y↑16

You probably mean 2:06?

@elijahbaley978

5y↑15

@Giorgos Boultadakis i think he gave the wrong second for make people suprised

@giorgosboultadakis4592

5y↑3

@Hayyam doğru dedi It would make more sense if it was a few seconds prior to the Presto con fuoco part but yeah... :P

@elijahbaley978

@Giorgos Boultadakis i think he is just exeggerate it. There is nothing amazing to be excited at all.

@kaenbedehem950

5y↑1

@Giorgos Boultadakis Yeah my bad

7 More Replies...

@danwaldis4553

1y↑3

This is a great performance of Chopin's creative genius! To me, the piece is a perfect expression of Chopin's inner struggles. His unrequited love for George Sands and his battle with tuberculosis, among other things, must have been constant sources of misery and despair. Then there were moments (perhaps even hours) when his mind was calm. As one can hear in the piece, the serenity is interrupted by a turmoil, beautiful in its utter horridness. He composed some of the most sublime music that has graced this planet, and this piece, especially when viewed through the lens of this profound soul's life, is no exception.

@marie-noellephilippe1011

5y↑3

J'adore Chopin,c'est ma ballade préférée,d'une exquise harmonie et époustouflante vélocité....une oeuvre sublime.

@nathanpb4971

5y↑1

C'est vrai qu'elle est sublime mais personnellement je préfère la ballade no 1

@manuelbes

5y↑1

@Nathan PBmoi aussi, mais pas de beaucoup ! La première est par défaut supérieure je dirais, elle est plus simple à trouver belle

@professorboltzmann5709

That Coda is incredible; rest in peace F.Chopin.

@fredericchopin5338

4y↑83

I remember when I dedicated this to my good friend Robert, and I called it my dearest work. Ahhh, those were the days.

@yulianshvets

4y↑2

))))))

@salvat3735

4y↑1

@Юлиан Швец (((((((((((((

@killthepandas.

4y↑1

@Sergei Rachmaninoff )( )( )( )( )( )( )(

@nathane7914

@kill the pandas ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

@rishbub

3y↑1

i dont think that was the second one.

10 More Replies...

@teleman07

1y↑3

This piece continously goes down hill until a deathly ending. The only ballade so consistent with absolute black depression. For years I thought 1 was the best. Now after hearing all 4 many times, I can safely say 2>3=1 (Though, I hat 3's joyful ending with passion) with 4 being either best or worst depending on mood.

@LordGreystoke

I don’t follow you one bit and utterly disagree

@teleman07

1y↑4

@Byron Gordon "I don't follow you" and "utterly disagree" in one sentence tells a lot about the credibility of a comment coming out of you. I am sure you will not get what I am saying again so do not bother with things above you.

@brianbixler5665

4y↑1

Over and Over...repeat...this IS a Great Sword Thrust of Excellence...The dynamic control is Superb !!!

@patrickwang3070

HOW CAN BRIAN SCHAD DESTROY GUDAL AND KENT

@nickladey

10y↑14

love this it is wonderful one awesome player thanks for posting

@meitarf9473

1y↑3

0:00 part I
2:07 part II
3:03 part I'
5:12 part II'
5:54 coda
6:39 ending

@elijahasmussen130

7y↑166

The way that he prolongs the beautifully painful phrase at 6:06

@Tizohip

6y↑7

Elijah Asmussen 6:25 the power of piano transcendence

@SortaPredictable

6y↑16

Elijah Asmussen The tempo glides smoothly fast in the preceding phrase to slow and the dynamics are inversely proportional to the tempo in the following phrase that really make the whole series of phrases ebb and flow throughout the entire cadenza. If you focus closely you’ll also notice some shortening of the note length until they reach staccato and then a return to elongation again. He’s really managed to bring out some seriously deep emotional tethers in the music by giving it a relatable character. It’s inviting because it’s noticeably a human character. I really think zimerman does an absolutely fantastic job here. Compare his cadenza with evgeny kissin’s choppy interpretation and you’ll see how it’s choppy tempo changes breaks the immersion of the phrases. They start seeming mechanical.

@Permaclok

4y↑5

@Church1766 TL;DR version --> Rubato

@firephilosopher7645

6y↑20

Zimerman is great in this piece, however the pedaling choice at the end of the coda I find to be much less effective in this performance. Specifically, the last fortissimo chord (6:36) before the pianissimo repeated A's lead back to the first theme material...I think this chord should be held in the pedal during the pianissimo repeated A's. For me this is a far more radical and powerful dramatic effect than the instant cut off of the sound before the repeated A's. Interestingly, Zimerman does keep this chord in the pedal in his studio recording of the piece. This is also what I see indicated in most scores I have seen.

@nez14526

6y↑1

It was surprising to me too... but he did keep the music interesting after it (despite that pedal choice) imo :)

@marshan1226

5y↑1

fire philosopher can you name any other pianist who has done what you pointed out

@Eric-si4oh

@Marshan122 seong-jin cho

@Numberonesorabjifan

4y↑1

sHOw uS a vIDEo oF yOU pLAyIng iT

@firephilosopher7645

@Marshan122 Ha, I'm quite late on this, but yes, Arthur Rubinstein is another who has used this pedaling.

@brandonmacey964

Oh.. My.. Goodness.. Thank you Chopin and thank you Maestro

@primeartonline-pianocovers1535

6y↑40

2:30-2:44 and 5:35 to the end are my favorite parts.

@Dayo06

3y↑5

My favourite parts are 0:01 - 7:13

@tervic3590

6y↑10

현실에 찌든사람들을 위로해주는듯한 노래.. 들으면서 눈물이날거같다

@patrickwang3070

YBK WANTS TO DESTROY GUDAL AND KENT

@MrMe-wc6kh

My favorite ballade, after the fourth but much dearer than the 1st and 3rd to me.

@user-dx3zn8hf9m

5y↑9

i love chopin he was a true person indeed

@Sungjun05

2y↑1

Even Chopin himself would be amazed by this interpretation !

@chrysohon9076

7y↑4

Wow, he's so good!

@wamozart6055

Il più grande pianista mai esistito.

@paulgreen9792

4y↑5

“I know a land where dreams are born and time is never planned. Just take a trip with me and your heart will fly on wings to never, never land.” This ballad, especially after the middle section brings these lines to mind. Peter Pan would surely had loved this land. Where “Music expresses wordless odyssey’s.” My friend John is giving me a turn table so I will be able to once again spin my old “LPs”. I am looking forward to, at last, revisit this world I once inhabited before the onset of “CDs”. I have among my collection the four ballads with trios nouvelle etudes featuring Vladimir Ashkenazy. WHAT A WORLD! pwg

@professoralthea5434

6y↑9

Come here my child, this is HEAVEN!

@Marko-ol4yi

34w

Uh, Orgelzauberin... unglaublich. Ich bin sicher, daß Geist Chopins dort erscheinte und sitzt ruhig... und Herr Kapellmeister beobachtet von oben mit einem Lächeln❤

@QWERT._._

2y↑1

I think Zimerman and Seongjin Cho expresses Chopin's pieces the best

@XavFranz

2y↑2

From 5:05 unreal excellent!

@sorrybutimjaehyunsfuturewi4573

3y↑2

am i the only who dont why the comments were just so beautifully explain about this insanely beautiful piece. i mean how can u guys can think of that beautiful sentences.

@kamilkonieczko3300

4y↑3

Super zimmerman jest najlepszy

@mattijoensuu8368

This is sooo good.

@toshitaka8177

Wonderful !!

@driver9907

1y↑1

2:06 and 5:12 is beautiful

@cziffrathegreat666

46w↑1

The best coda and buildup among all the ballades in my humble opinion

@csteveneven

2y↑4

christ that chord at 2:39 is a doomsday god like heaven sound

@keplergso8369

5y↑1

So great ! There is something of Michelangeli in him.

@FirstGentleman1

Why so many thumbs down? Well, I knew somebody who said this Ballade sounds like puking. I don't feel it like that. It's a great piece in my opinion.

@CobraBoss23

3y↑11

6:11 the left hand part is beautiful

@resorcinolamine

19w↑2

I can tell why this ballade was dedicated to Schumann

@jkstuff3458

1y↑1

5:05 is so epic

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