Lesson of Professor Heinrich Neuhaus: Chopin Ballade F-moll (with English subtitles)

Lesson of Professor Heinrich Neuhaus Chopin: Ballade F-moll, Op. 52 Performed by 3rd year student Esja Elinajte and recorded by Pavel Lobanov on February 26, 1962. LP, Melodiya My gratitude to Nosh (Noshirm) for editing the English translation, as well as Andre (Truecrypt), Erwin (Pianopera), and Nosh for the notes to this video (preface and below)! Notes: 02:41 Neuhaus often uses this term to denote the sense of a “unity of opposites”, a “thesis-antithesis-synthesis”, as it were. A mastery of the pedal is “tricky”. Neuhaus demonstrates what he means, but he doesn’t explain it in words. Pedaling is very hard to teach, and requires innate skill, good ears, and the ability to really listen to one’s own playing and instantly adjust to new conditions, pianos, acoustics, and so on. 08:12 Neuhaus seems to be saying that it is acceptable for the student to play the passage as she had originally, even if he preferred the other version. 13:14 Rich but not loud, “dense”, a full, sonorous forte. 14:02 Corot is famous for his use of subdued colors and for the misty, atmospheric effects in his landscape art. His art is ethereal, with subtle highlights. This seems to be the effect Neuhaus is seeking here. 17:15 Neuhaus was particular about fingering. He esteemed the great Ignaz Friedman, but criticized some of his fingerings in Chopin.