Cast
Nelson Goerner — Teacher, pianist
Léo Pensel — Pianist
Program notes
In this master class, Argentine pianist Nelson Goerner works with Léo Pensel to refine the Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52, composed in 1842 by Frédéric Chopin. Piano literature would not be complete without this 19th-century classic; of Chopin’s four Ballades, this piece is arguably the most demanding. From both a musical and technical standpoint, its intensity and depth is difficult to masterfully unfold. This is why Goerner emphasizes articulation and phrasing: there is a delicate balance between emphasizing details and exaggerating that is easy to tip over the wrong way. The pair also explore the relationship between pedaling and polyphony, one that is often overlooked. Goerner is reputed for his poetic playing and is often found at the piano at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris when he is not playing with orchestras around the world.
