Chopin

[Pumpkinhead]

Which is the hardest out of all the Scherzo's and Ballades? Which one's the easiest?

[JK]

I would say the f minor ballade (no.4) is the hardest. As for the easiest, it is hard to say, easy is not a word I would associte with these pieces!!!

[bernhard]

They are all very difficult. However this much may be said:

1.      The scherzos may be easier than the ballades because they follow a much more rigid “form” (ABA) with very well defined sections and lots of repetitions. The ballades in comparison have a much more freer, evolving form.

2.      Amongst the scherzos I would start with Op. 20 (no. 1 Bm) and then op. 31 (no. 2 Bb)

3.      Amongst the ballades, I would probably start with op. 47 (no. 3 Ab), and I agree with JK that Op. 52 (no. 4 – Fm) is arguably the most difficult.

By the way, this is just an opinion.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Pumpkinhead]

Yeah, thanks guys. I'm learning Scherzo in Bb minor, for a competition. Is this peice too easy for an amateur competition? who knows.

[Hmoll]

Is this peice too easy for an amateur competition? who knows.

No. Like Bernhard said, they are all difficult. They are all advanced pieces.