F. Chopin – Ballade n. 2 op. 38 (1836 - 1839)
 
Composed between 1831 and 1842, Chopin’s 4 ballades are one of his most notable heritages, as well as some of the most challenging pieces in the standard piano repertoire. Disputedly inspired by Chopin’s friend’s Adam Mickiewicz poems, the ballades share some structural elements with the sonata form, which however they interpret in a freer way, with sudden alternations of calm and turbulent themes and a 6/4 or 6/8 meter that sets the “ballade” time signature. The second ballade is particularly dramatic. Dedicated to Schumann after this dedicated to Chopin his Kreisleriana, it is the most extreme in alternating themes with opposing emotional tone - from the merry andantino in F maj to be played “sotto voce”, to the tempestuous “presto con fuoco” in the unusual A minor tone - which are presented and elaborated over the piece.