Allan Gotthelf wrote: >For the Ballade No. 1, you must hear Josef Hofmann's version. Yes, and it should demonstrate to you how NOT to play the Ballade. IMHO, Hofmann's mannerisms and distortions misuse the music to show off his virtuosity, much as Horowitz was to do later on. And as it was said of Horowitz, "he can sure play the piano, but I am not so sure he can play Chopin, et al." John Dalmas [log in to unmask]