Chopin is one of my major musical influences. His Etude Op. 10 No. 3 is one the most powerful pieces of music I have ever heard. Even though I was already a pianist when I listened to it for the first time, it made me fall in love with the instrument all over again. It still amazes me that he could produce something so beautiful with just a piano. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy experimental sounds and highly produced music as much as the next guy—I think the Social Network soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is brilliant—but there is something refreshing to hear such beauty on a single instrument.
Inspired by Chopin, I ventured into the domain of composing for solo piano. While I don’t have the virtuosity of Chopin, which certainly limits what I can write, I felt confident that I could compose something powerful, simple though it may be. Here’s the result:
You can find the score here: Ballade No. 1