Chopin's Ballade No. 1 for Orchestra (arr. Timothy Schmidt)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ย. 2021
- Months in the making, this arrangement of one of Chopin's most popular works translates his virtuosic piano writing into the dynamic and timbrally-rich strokes of the symphony orchestra. Ever since I learned and performed the Ballade, I have heard in the accompaniment of its A theme pizzicato strings, in its brilliant rendition of the B theme a brass fanfare, and in its coda the rousing chaos of dozens of musicians primed to snap... and so the list goes on. Motivated by an orchestration assignment to realize at last this years-long dream, I have transformed the Ballade into a bubbling, rumbling orchestral force.
Music composed by Frédéric Chopin
Music arranged by Timothy Schmidt
Composition completed on July 30, 2021
Website: www.timothy-schmidt.com/
Twitter: / timothyschmidt_
Music composed using Dorico: www.dorico.com/
Music produced using Cubase: www.cubase.com/
Music performed primarily using NotePerformer: www.noteperformer.com/
Other virtual instruments used:
BBC SO Core: www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-...
Visualization created using Kauna: www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/kau...
Images created using ArtBreeder: www.artbreeder.com/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License: creativecommons.org/licenses/b... - เพลง
![Frédéric [Fryderyk] Chopin: 24 Préludes, Op. 28 [orchestrated by Jean Françaix]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yFy0j_223QQ/mqdefault.jpg)
The coda sounds like circus music LOL
I can literally see that obese elephant dancing the rumba...
ahhh youve ruined it for me 😭
well done 😅
It is because of the sound and limits of synthetic music, but if you know the Ballade no. 1 you find that it is a good choice.
Sounds reminiscent of Merry-Go-Round of Life (Howl's moving castle)? And the original left hand has that jumpy bass, offbeat figure. Menacing circus music may fit just brilliantly here :)
The things I’d give to hear this performed live.
I wonder what it takes to get something like this setup. To the author: would you like to see this happen with a really symphony?
Of course I would! The audio here is only a mockup and wouldn't compare in the slightest to an actual orchestra performing the piece.
@@TimothySchmidthow expensive would it be to get this recorded by a real orchestra
@@corneliusklassen8513Depends! If an orchestra just wanted to play it, they'd pay me for parts and performing rights haha. Hiring an orchestra would be very expensive for 10 minutes of difficult music - probably close to 5-figures.
Oh, so contemporary composers also have to be rich to succeed@@TimothySchmidt
5:30 goosebumps...
SIMPLY ASTONISHING!! I am positively rattled!! This needs to be played by a real orchestra!! Exquisite work, Mr. Timothy Schmidt. Sublime!
Wow, thanks! Glad you enjoy it :)
@@TimothySchmidt Very much agreed!
Wow, the first theme underwent quite a metamorphosis, the pizzicato strings bringing out its hidden waltzyness, and the grace notes in the woodwinds adding an almost whimsical tint.
Yeah, those were little orchestration touches I always seemed to hear in the original work. Hoping I didn't overdo it!
While Chopin's genius shines through, something is lost here. It's the piano.
While things like the third Etude sound magnificent orchestrated, the Ballades are my true love in the Eden of Chopin.
They sound at home on the pianoforte with their creator.
I agree completely. Don’t get me wrong, it’s clear that the creator of this video has put in a lot of work into this creative endeavour (bravo to that!) and the result is very interesting to listen to, but as you said, the Ballades just don’t really work orchestrated.
Maybe it’s because the constancy of the musical voice and line of thought (after all, Ballades are very ‘linear’ in nature) gets interrupted when the different instruments try to take over from the other, but we lose that crucial sense of intimacy and self-searching reflection this piece is so famous for. The first theme suffers the most in my opinion (possible due to the computer-generated audio) as it just sounds too much like a nonchallant waltz for me, no philosophy, no sense of exploration, etc.
I know this probably wasn’t what the arrange was going for, so once again, congratulations to them on completing their project! Needless to say though, nothing compares to the original for me! As Debussy said, “with the piano alone, he discovered everything.”
Im glad someone said that...
Holy crap that's beautiful. Chopin must be one of the hardest composers to orchestrate given how indigenously pianistic his music is but you did an amazing job 👏
Thank you! I think in general you're absolutely right, but I always sensed grandeur of a scale transcending the piano in this particular piece, hence my arrangement. :)
He most definitely is.
Breath taking. I got goosebumps at the climaxes.
I come back to this so often. I cannot express how special this piece is to me.
@@ethanbrownpiano same
same
Best orchestration of the best piano piece. The restatement of second theme at 7:40 is my ABSOLUTE favorite. The contrast between string and wind is toooo good
9:27 WOW THATS AMAZING
Now even though its still Febuary, my April feels complete.
The coda gave my goosebumps
Wow, Love the Variations✨
Just played along to this, incredible work! Was so much fun!!
Beautiful, powerful arrangement. I was hesitant to listen because Chopin's first Ballade is near and dear to me, and I wasn't sure how well it would translate. But you did an incredible job, although I would've loved to hear participation from a piano in the piece.
Thank you! As my favorite piano piece, it was also important to me to treat the original material with great care. But yeah I left out a piano, as I felt it would either be redundant to or come nowhere close to the musicality of the original :)
simply beautiful
Very amazing! Especially the part at 5:30! This months of efforted brilliant piece definitely worths more than 5 thousand views.
Thanks!
Этот эпизод …. Так страстно и мощно …. Чего всегда стремиться добиться пианист … результат не всегда достигается .. до 8..03 …Кода звучит очень трагично … Как и должно быть …
Absolutely beautiful. I felt like dancing with the stars
So beautiful! Thanks
Beautiful! that's all i can say to describe this masterfully arranged composition.
One of the best arrangement I've ever seen!
Dang this was waaaay better than I expected. Amazing!!
I do not like the sound of synthetic music, but I am happy to have found this video and that you shared your magnificent work with us, it really deserves a real orchestra! Thank you!!
Thank you, glad you like it and can hear the potential for a true performance!
This is VERY fun to play along with. Well done!
Thanks!
I wasn’t sure how well Chopin‘s ballade could translate as an orchestral arrangement, but it seems you have done it perfectly. Well done!
Thank you!
ballade 1 by itself is already a powerful and incredible music, but that orchestration has reached another level, great work!
Incredible!! Thank you Mr. Timothy. what a beautiful arrangement. Definitily worthy of being played live!!!
Thank you for listening!
Escuchen está balada de principio a fin. Una de las piezas más hermosas que he escuchado. Renovación espiritual.
Instantly subscribed. You dont know how much i loved this. Classical music literally changed my whole life and i sometimes feel bad for those who cant feel the joy or how to enjoy classical music. This is my favourite piano piece and i wish i could one day play it (notice how i didnt make *one of* my favourites, but THE favourite. Theres something about this piece that really strikes the heart deep)
Thank you! It really is a special piece, very difficult to learn but so gratifying once it's under your fingers. :)
I have just visited your website. You are so young, and that's amazing. I feel really bad for taking so long to search for an orchestrated version of the Ballade. I should have listened to that masterpiece since day 1 of its releasing. I have no more words to say other than THIS IS BRILLIANT.
Haha well thank you for listening to it now and sharing such kind words!
Your cinematic side comes through even in your more orchestral work. Very well done as always, the color changes throughout convey and augment the piece.
Thank you! This was quite the passion project for me, glad to finally be able to share it with the world :)
Wow! This has really opened my mind - I can now see how Chopin could have maybe thought some parts of this work as specific parts of an orchestra, in the same way Liszt did it
This is exceptionally well-done, very sophisticated choices!!! You deserve a thousand congratulations
THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS IS GOOD, the best a MIDI file can get
THIS IS SUBLIME. I need to hear it played by a real orchesta
A unique work of art.
While listening to it, I am dreaming about climbing at the top of the background mountains.
Amazing!! 3 more ballads to go!!
Great achievement! This is really beautiful!
🍷 amazing
One of the best orchestral arrangement of a piano solo I've ever heard, very cinematic and beautiful. A little quiet on the strings but this is amazing, bravo!
Absolutely incredible!
Thank you!
I LOVE THIS CODA really well made surprised me but how i think it could have been best made
I would die to hear this played an orchestra, it’s just amazing
Bravissimo!! Encore!!
Truly amazing work
Simply just astonishing. It really fits with ballade no.1's grandeur but somewhat moody atmosphere
It's awesome! I love the Ballad No1.
Such a beautiful transcription. Hopefully one day you can find an orchestra to play this since the computer generated audio doesn’t do your transcription justice haha
This is a masterpiece I got goosebumps listening to it
amazing work👏👏
Thank you!
Clap 👏👏 !!! Your orchestration is Amazing!!! I love how you built tension that leads to the repeat of 2nd subject and the coda!!! They're so amazing and satisfying.
Thank you!
Magnificent!
I just stumbled upon you channel today and it was the best thing ever happened to me! Keep up the good work brother!
Thanks, will do!
Seu trabalho é simplesmente Sensacional!
I enjoyed the whole arrangement but that of the coda part is really impressive.
I wanna hear this performed. I wasnt initially into it but when the second theme kicked ini felt it, and the recap of the first theme really worked
👏👏👏well done ! Splendid work, I've just been spending a great moment. Many many thx
Thank you!
Marvelous!❤❤❤
GLORIOUS
I always wondered what the G minor ballade would sound like as a symphony. I’m excited. U should try arranging the other three, especially the 4th one!
the pizzicato bass notes sound so good
What a remarkable achievement!
I definitely want real orchestra version.
Great work. Well done!
I congratulate you on the wonderful arrangement, extraordinary sense and, at least in part, retaining Chopin's spirit. As a Chopin purist, I never thought I would ever approve of an orchestral arrangement of his works, I heard many attempts and it was always impossible to listen to it for a long time. Beautiful, almost piano-like performances :)
Thank you! I definitely needed many years of playing this piece as well as studying orchestration before I felt ready to do this arrangement any justice :)
Sublime
Wow.
Beautiful! Chopin would be proud of such a beautiful arrangement! Good job Mr Timothy Schmidt!
Thank you!
So interesting.... thank you for the great work and sharing ❤ the coda is amazing!
Thanks for listening!
The best arrangement I’ve ever seen. I’m like this so much even though this is the first video I’ve ever seen of this channel, this is with it a doubt the best I’ve ever seen.
Please read this
Thank you, flattered you like it so much!
@@TimothySchmidt I loved it
First vid I saw on this channel as well. Subscribed immediately
Excellent.
Awesome piece❤
Amazing
the coda sounds like a circuses
song
Love the string pizz!
So Cool!
good lord this is great
We need to get this in the hand of musicians now!
EPIC!!!
THANK YOU TH-cam ALGORITHM
Beautifully arranged and inspiring 🎉
Thanks!
no words... fking awesome
DAMN THIS IS INCREDIBLE
Thanks!
This is top quality, congrats 🎉
Thanks!
Your orchestration was absolutely powerful and invigorating!!! Thank you so much for this! It's really amazing to hear! This needs to be performed by a real orchestra urgently! I'm rooting for this to happen with your wonderful work! Bravo! Bravíssimo! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Thank you, that would indeed be neat, hopefully some day! Glad you enjoyed my work :)
Great work
Thanks!
I was not sure too, but this turned out to be amazing! I got goosebumps at the climaxes (although I would have played more fortissimo the third time the theme B comes out, that b flat in the bass, and the "il più forte possibile" the octave D in the bass). Some personal thoughts:
I would have liked the main theme to be played by a violin, my ear was ready to hear it ahahah. The chords in pizzicato are actually cool with the orchestra, even if at the piano I tend to play them legato. I couldn't hear some more virtuosic passages (like the scale at 1:59 or the arpeggios at 2:50) but I think that's just mixing struggle, as long as this is played by a computer. Then I would have played some parts in a different tempo, but again, this is played by a computer so you can't do much with the rubato. Excellent work! Keep it up and congratulations
Edit: the presto con fuoco part is amazing, furious, perfect
Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts! Pretty much everything turned out the way I wanted to, so orchestration, balancing, and tempo choices are pretty much just creative differences, not limitations of the software. That being said, these are some great ideas!
bravo
This doesn’t deserve 8 thousand views, it deserves 8 million views! Incredible work!
bravo！
My only complaint would have to be how the 6/4 meter sounds like a 3/4 meter. This ballade ended up sounding like a waltz everytime the first theme was repeated. I guess the timpani accenting the 1st & 4th quarter notes highlighted the waltz rhythm. All in all, I thought it was a great effort. I'd love to hear the other ballades or maybe even the Barcarolle or Polonaise Fantasy orchestrated. I wonder what Chopin would've thought, seeing as he was not particularly great at orchestral scores.
Interesting observation - I definitely see how that can come across, but the theme in particular follows the original score quite closely, so I'm not sure how that would be mitigated. No plans for other such orchestrations at this time, but I appreciate the listen to this one!
Why does it sound so happy
Amazing work! Chopin's Ballades were designed to convey a narrative, with evolving themes meant to represent characters, dramatic development sections ment to transition between 'episodes' as if it were a play, as if there is a hidden narrator describing whats happening between scenes. The codas too, which arent common in Chopin's music, which feel like the end of season of a TV show, ending on a cliffhanger. Its all by design and I think your orchestration captures the cinematic spirit of this work beautifully, whether that was intentional or not! Chopin also wasnt very skilled with orchestral writing, so this definitely adds something. I would love to get ahold of a midi of your orchestration to analyze!
I had many of the same thoughts that inspired me to undergo this project! Thank you for putting to words that which I felt more comfortable putting to music :)
very underrated video, wonderful job!
very fun to play to if you speed up some parts by 1.5
Thank you!
This would sound amazing performed live omg
Wow....
At the coda part I stood up saluted.
Awesome! I can really appreciate the work that had to go into this arrangement, as Chopin's music can be notoriously difficult to orchestrate. I've been procrastinating on my orchestration of Op. 52 for that very reason.
Indeed, I stewed on it for years before putting anything meaningful to paper! I think it was really important me to play the piece so long ago and have all the time since to really study and appreciate it. Plus orchestration class helped massively!
Wow this is amazing, i hope some day an orchestra will play your arragenment
Haha thanks, I hope so too!
HOLY SHIT MAN YOURE SO UNDERRATED
Chopin would have shed tears of joy if he had heard this heavenly voice❤