Chopin: Complete Ballades and Scherzi
Having successfully tackled the complete etudes of Chopin, Ian Holtham turned his attention to the composer's complete ballades and scherzi, undoubtedly amongst his most individual and characteristic works.
World-renowned pianist Ian Holtham is no stranger to Chopin; many of Melbourne's audiences would fondly remember his marathon concert recitals of the complete etudes, which he later recorded for Move on Etudes.
The ballades and scherzi of Chopin stand among the most significant accomplishments of his output.
Press quotes
“His finger work is neat and clean, and Chopin's music emerges with a kind of simple honesty ... Bravo to Holtham! Bravo to Move!”
— Andrew Ford, The Australian Financial Review Magazine
“outstanding ... dramatic”
— New Classics, UK
“Holtham is a master of poise; his playing holds in tension the ruminative and dramatic aspects of the music”
— Tony Way - The Green Guide
Artist

Ian Holtham
Professor Ian Holtham is one of the most distinguished and highly regarded pianists and pedagogues in Australia and his performances of the great Classical and Romantic repertoire have played to packed houses and rave reviews for many years.
Audio previews
Track Listing
- Ballade No 1 in G Minor, Op. 23 Frédéric Chopin 8:49
- Ballade No 2 in F Major, Op. 38 Frédéric Chopin 7:04
- Scherzo No 1 in B Minor, Op. 20 Frédéric Chopin 7:59
- Scherzo No 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 31 Frédéric Chopin 9:37
- Ballade No 3 in A-Flat Major, Op. 47 Frédéric Chopin 7:05
- Scherzo No 3 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 39 Frédéric Chopin 6:49
- Scherzo No 4 in E Major, Op. 54 Frédéric Chopin 10:55
- Ballade No 4 in F Minor, Op. 52 Frédéric Chopin 10:10
Performers
Composer

Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric François Chopin was a Polish composer, virtuoso pianist, and music teacher. He was one of the great masters of Romantic music and has been called "the poet of the piano".
Where to listen
Chopin: Complete Ballades and Scherzi is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3283
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 68 minutes 28 seconds
- Producer
- Vaughan McAlley
- Recording Engineer
- Thomas Grubb
- Venue
- Melba Hall
- Release date
- 8 Oct 2003
- Musical work
copyright - © 2003 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 2003 Move Records
- Categories
- Classical, Keyboard
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574328325
Related recordings

Chopin Showcase
Ian Holtham, Piano. The genesis of this recording was to assemble a number of the composer's most attractive and original works as a mark of homage to one of the most outstandingly innovative and important composers for the piano who has ever lived.

Giants In The Land
Recorded in Melba Hall, this world premiere recording finds Melbourne pianist Ian Holtham performing a brilliant cross-section of Australian contemporary piano works, including those by Brenton Broadstock, Linda Kouvaras, Stephen Ingham, Stuart Greenbaum, Johanna Selleck and Christine McCombe.

Acts of Homage
Acclaimed pianist Ian Holtham commemorates the 100th anniversary of the death of Brahms and the 200th anniversary of the birth of Schubert. Holtham demonstrates the diversity in Brahms' work and showcases Schubert's gift for thematic extrapolation with the pieces presented.

A Liszt Recital
Ian Holtham's acclaimed recital showcases works by the great, enigmatic, and quintessentially romantic pianist and composer, Franz Liszt. This album includes Holtham's masterful interpretation of Liszt's Sonata in B minor.