Johannes Brahms - Ballades op. 10 - no. 1 (Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli)

The other three are also wonderful.

A Maestoso piece, masterfully interpreted by the Great Michelangeli. Pieces like these, I can only listen to them

Here is the text that inspired the first ballad.

I section

The Mother: Why is your sword so red, Edward, Edward?

Edward: I killed my falcon, Mother, Mother!

The Mother: Your falcon's blood is not so red, Edward, Edward!

Edward: I killed my red horse, Mother, Mother!

II section

The Mother: Your horse was old and did not need to be killed! And the pain weighing on you is quite another matter, Edward, Edward!

Edward: I killed my father! Oh, how my heart suffers!

III section

Edward: My foot shall have no peace upon this earth, Mother! I pass on to you my curse and the fire of hell, Mother! Because it was You, it was You who drove me!

To the comments on this first ballad reported by Terenzio's site, I also add this one from Piero Rattalino:

... the piano writing is truly astounding for its novelty and its beauty; the high melody is doubled an octave below and three octaves below, with an arcane effect that creates a true atmosphere of suspense. (...) The writing of the central part is also absolutely brilliant, extremely dense, entirely based on hand crossings. In short ... an absolute masterpiece by a 21-year-old boy. (...)

danielescarpetti wrote:

Here is the text that inspired the first ballad.

I section

The Mother: Why is your sword so red, Edward, Edward?

Edward: I killed my falcon, Mother, Mother!

The Mother: Your falcon's blood is not so red, Edward, Edward!

Edward: I killed my red horse, Mother, Mother!

II section

The Mother: Your horse was old and did not need to be killed! And the pain weighing on you is quite another thing, Edward, Edward!

Edward: I killed my father! Oh, how my heart suffers!

III section

Edward: My foot shall have no peace upon this earth, Mother! I pass on to you my curse and the fire of hell, Mother! Because it was You, it was You who pushed me!

To the comments on this first ballad reported from Terenzio's site, I also add this one by Piero Rattalino:

... the piano writing is truly astounding for its novelty and its beauty; the melody in the high register is doubled an octave below and three octaves below, with an arcane effect that creates a true atmosphere of suspense. (...) The writing of the central part is also absolutely brilliant, extremely dense, entirely based on hand crossings. In short... an absolute masterpiece by a 21-year-old boy. (...)

Thank you Daniele,
your gesture moved me.

(and listening to this wonderful ballad always evokes deep emotion in me)