To All Broken Hearts… Chopin Ballade No.1

Debut in Paris on 23rd November
Tickets and info here:

And London on 26th January 2025:

On this channel I am sharing my experience and thoughts about fingerings, interpretation, fingertechniques and playing piano in general. If you have any questions or ideas please leave it in the comments!

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Thank you very much! Stay safe, stay healthy and stay in the Heart of the Keys!;P

[heartofthekeys]

Hey everyone… I know this recording is not perfect and there would be many technical and interpretational things I would point out normally. However, when I recorded it this morning, I didn’t care about it at all. I just wanted to play and let my emotions run. I am not good with words and right now I am not having the best time of my life so expressing myself through music seems to be the only way to truly deal with my feelings. I hope all of you are doing well and if you are also going through some hard times now – I feel you and I wish you lots of strength. Broken hearts will be healed by time and music I guess.

[birgirkarl]

My 17yo daughter was stabbed by a stranger in downtown Reykjavik last August. She died from her wounds six days later. Since then I have, for some reason, listened to the G minor ballade nearly every day since her death. It has given me comfort. Strange to find this video now, played by another broken heart ♥️
I wish you the best.

[AntonioDoesMetal]

There are those that are listening for pure technical execution, and then there are those who are listening to the music of it. This was lovely

[acompyt]

I feel as though sometimes when we make mistakes in playing, it can be our emotions trying to break through this seal of perfection we try to put up. But it’s never perfect, as music is never without emotion.

[brucemattson]

I am 74 years old and have played for 67 years (although I am not nearly as proficient as you). There have been many times that the keyboard has been the best (if not the only) medicine available. To listen to the honest emotion an artist puts into a performance is so much more satisfying to a listener than technical accuracy or speed of the fingers. Thank you for a brilliant performance.

[tabtheysay]

There was a time when everything I played reminded me of her. Today, the memory of her reminds me of why I never stopped playing. Have a sweet recovery, Ann.

[thegreenpianist]

I'm suprised at how much I liked the main theme dry. Would've never imagined it could work this well.

[RolandHuettmann]

As an amateur player, when I play Ballade 1, especially the beginning, I imagine a deep dark forest and flowers suddenly blossoming, sparkling, shooting colorful rays of light. All is magical, full of life. The mystical story begins.Maybe then, from a distance, you can witness your own emotions going with the music, flowing. Even sadness then is not so overwhealming, but recognized, present, not subued, but accepted, accepted again and again.

[yousifmusician]

This video feels like a hug that I've needed for almost a year now.
Thank you so much annique.

[dominomi]

I truly think that this is the best piece of romantic music ever composed. No other piece can touch me on such a deep and intimate level. It's as if the composer uploded his emotions directly onto the sheet music, and now, 200 years later, we can almost enter his mind for 10-12 minues and feel how it was like. It simply transcends time. The bond between the composer, the performer and the listener is truly something unique - who needs portals to alternate universes, time travel and the ability to talk to ghosts when you have classical music.

And the interpretation... Omg. I felt with my entire soul that you understood Chopin perfectly while playing this piece, that you didn't express just his, but also your deep and profound feelings. That you had your own message to tell.

Yes, there may have been some very minor imperfections here and there, but that just added to the whole experience. It's like if someone was singing their heart out and their voice cracked slightly from time to time - it only emphasizes the emotion.

Anyway, sorry for my slightly rambly comment, but thank you very much for this amazing performance. Cheers from a 16yo fan and music lover! Stay strong!

[jacobhebbel]

piano is my therapy. I learn pieces not to perform, but to feel. I feel the moment is too fast to properly taste the emotions associated with it, but conjuring the memory in the rapid frenzy of performance brings tidal waves of feeling that cover my skin in goosebumps. In short, I nearly feel human in these moments.

The ballade was supposed to be the jewel of my application for music schools, but I burned out shortly before auditions, and ended up at a polytech school where I study cs. I still love my world and life, however I fear I have had my first " what if " in life that won't resolve itself. I must make my own peace, which I find conformist and deceitful. It's ironic actually as I play this piece more and more the emotions surrounding the whole affair imbue themselves into the noteheads. The cycle of anger, beauty, crash and burn, is tragic.

And like always, there's a girl involved. Someone I finally stopped thinking about recently, the type of someone who's beauty alone merits them the world, and their kind soul the sky above. We don't share a future together, but the memories she gave will never leave. Those memories were so full that the sadness of their absence obscures their own beauty. I hope someday to be mature enough to see that beauty again.

[davidbrake]

This is perfect timing for me, exactly perfect timing. I have been having some of the worst days of my life the past week or so, and the only thing keeping me afloat has been music. I appreciate this and I feel as though God is trying to let me know that I am far from the only one suffering. That “art redeems the soul” as I heard a professor of mine say once. This piece especially breaks me, I see everything I’ve ever loved in it. Thank you.

[Tonyd]

The music played does not either have to be, or need be, perfect. What it needs is for the performer to convey feelings and emotions through their rendition. You certainly have done that with this piece. I found it very moving and enjoyable.

[__BLAZE__]

I'm 13 years old, I've listened to this recording 100 times, and ive also listened to other recording of this, im also halfway through learning this piece, just scared for the coda!Anyway, I felt a very deep connection with this, I feel like this was most beautifully played, and the best recording i've listened to.

[michellana]

I usually don’t write anything here or leave any comments, but this time I felt I had to, so I really hope you read my message… This ballade is so far my favorite Chopin piece since I was a child and I’ve already listened a thousand of different interpretations by many pianists. Although yours may need tecnical adjustments as you said, I experienced some feelings I've never felt before, even when hearing the most famous pianists. There's a sense of heaviness and loneliness I can't explain, everything is so sharp and dry. The breaths between the scales at the end were absolute breathtaking. I really hope things get better in your life, but save this video for an artistic reference, because it really inspired me. Hugs from a brazilian admirer.

[googletypeboo]

I love how you give a different feeling and your unique touch, hadn’t heard this ballade sound this way, truly another wonderful experience

[BulentBasaran]

5:30 just one of the many spots which gives me goosebumps. I shall eternally practicing and loving this ballade (as well as #4).

[Chopinmybeloved]

Im so sorry for whatever you are going through, but I truly wish the best for you as you are the pianist who inspired me to get better and practice without getting bored or losing interest. We love you Annique!! <3

I just love the fast parts are played with so much clarity, and intensity... usually recordings show a more chaotic mood but loosing clarity... I really love your version... I just started learning this ballade yesterday

[AllisonOverton-kr]

When words fail, music speaks. Raw, emotional and you.