ballade
A dramatic, narrative musical composition, often for solo piano.
In Depth
In music, a ballade is a dramatic, narrative instrumental piece — distinct from the vocal ballad. Chopin elevated the form with his four piano ballades, which are among the most demanding and expressive works in the piano repertoire. Each tells a story through music without words.
The form typically features contrasting sections, building from lyrical themes to passages of great virtuosity and emotional intensity. Brahms, Liszt, and Grieg also wrote notable ballades. The genre draws its name from medieval narrative poetry, and the music often suggests a story unfolding even without a specific program.
Chopin's four Ballades are believed to have been inspired by the epic poems of Adam Mickiewicz, though Chopin never confirmed which poems matched which pieces.