Ballade
Romantic works
Definition
A large-scale, dramatic single-movement work with a narrative or epic quality. Typically in a compound meter and structured around contrasting themes that develop toward a turbulent climax.
Historical Context
Chopin invented the piano ballade as a genre, composing four (Opp. 23, 38, 47, 52) reportedly inspired by the narrative poems of Adam Mickiewicz. Brahms and Grieg subsequently wrote their own ballades, and the form became associated with storytelling, conflict, and heroic tragedy.
Works (30)
- Ballade, Op. 46 Key F♯ minor
- Ballad(e), Op. 6 Key D major
- Ballade in B major, Op. 10 No. 4 Key B major
- Ballade in B minor, Op. 10 No. 3 Intermezzo Key B minor
- Ballade in D major, Op. 10 No. 2 Key D major
- Ballade in D minor, Op. 10 No. 1 Edward Key D minor
- Ballade in G minor, Op. 118 No. 3 Key G minor
- Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 Key G minor
- Ballade No. 2 in A major, Op. 38 Key A major
- Ballade No. 3 in A-flat major, Op. 47 Key A♭ major
- Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 Key F minor
- Ballade in F♯ major Key F♯ major
- Ballade in D minor (violin and piano), Op. 15 (B. 139) Key D minor
- Ballade in F-sharp major, Op. 19 Key F♯ major
- Ballade in B major, Op. 9 Key B major
- Ossian — Ballade No. 1, Op. 4
- Ossian — Ballade No. 2, Op. 4
- Ballade in F major Key F major
- Autrefois — Ballade
- Ballade No. 6, Op. 85
- Ballade No. 7, Op. 87
- Ballade No. 8, Op. 90
- Balada
- Ballade in the Form of Variations on a Norwegian Folk Song, Op. 24 Key G minor
- Ballade No. 1 in D-flat major, S. 170 Key D♭ major
- Ballade No. 2 in B minor, S. 171 Key B minor
- Dreadful Memories
- Down by the Riverside
- Which Side Are You On?
- Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues