Thomas Tellefsen – Ballade, Op. 28 (Score)

Thomas Tellefsen (1823-1874) was one of Frederic Chopin’s most celebrated pupils and a close intimate friend. He was a prolific composer writing plenty of salon music in the same forms as his teacher (Mazurkas, Waltzes, Polonaises, Nocturnes etc.). He also ventured into larger forms where we can find two piano concertos, two violin sonatas, a cello sonata, a piano trio, a sonata for two pianos and one for solo piano, and last but not least a piece in Chopin’s own original form “the ballade”. Tellefsens Ballade op. 28 (C-minor) was dedicated to Gioacchino Rossini and is a very interesting composition displaying Tellefsens lyrical talent, but also a very subtle use of motivic development and transformation. Tellefsens use of the descending leading tone motive is particularly noteworthy, most prominently displayed on scale degree b2-1 and b6-5. Pay attention to how the (Db)-harmony is used with several different functions in tandem with this motive! Piano – Haakon Støring