Chopin's Fourth Ballade is one of his most famous and extraordinary works, unique in its combination of tenderness and power. Join Russian pianist Asiya Korepanova for a deeply insightful look at how to arrive at an emotionally and pianistically satisfying interpretation of this pillar of the repertoire.

This video addresses the first half of the piece, including the yearning introduction, the somber first theme and its passionate polyphonic transformations, the sincere and gentle second theme, and the glittering dance-like passages that dissolve into a brief but heartstoppingly ethereal cadenza.

Korepanova's advice draws on time-honored devices from her vast expertise and the Russian tradition of piano playing: immaculate craftsmanship of every phrase and their proper relation to the whole piece; a search for exquisite colors without losing sight of the ongoing flow; and a deep understanding of the physicality of piano playing, including all aspects of touch and sound production, weight distribution, finger independence, resting points, and surefire practice techniques.

This video addresses the second half of Chopin's Fourth Ballade, including the mysteriously winding fughetta, the rippling arabesques that decorate the return of the main theme, the sweeping D-flat major episode ending with brilliant arpeggios, craggy chords followed by angelic ones, and finally the infamous coda.

Korepanova's advice draws on time-honored devices from the Russian tradition of piano playing, with different emphases compared with the first half of the piece: searching for flow in repetitions and contrapuntal writing; physical choreography for tackling Chopin's technical and musical demands; remarks on the essential physical and mental feedback of playing with finger legato; how to wrap your brain around confusing patterns using straightforward chunking techniques; and how to practice the trickiest passages in an approachable, step-by-step way.