Frédéric Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 11 and Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52: A Comparison

Frédéric Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 11 and Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52: A Comparison By Zhanglin Hu Master of Music in Music, Performance Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) is one of the most important composers in the history of western music with great influence and reputation. Chopin's music is filled with virtuosic ideas and uses vocal elements and inimitable personal expression. The Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor was composed in 1830, and his Ballade No. 4 in F Minor was written in 1843. There are similarities and differences between the two pieces. This paper will provide examples from Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 and Ballade No. 4 to discuss the history and style, the vocal elements used, and musical interpretation of the two works.