Ballade No.3 in A♭ major, Op. 47 (Chopin)

Given that Chopin died in 1849 at the age of 39, it is unfair to refer to any of his music as having been “late” compositions. But what can be wondered at is the sheer musical quality of his output in his final ten years. Nearly every composition bearing his name from that period is a masterpiece.
The piece was first mentioned by Chopin in a letter to Julian Fontana on 18 October 1841. It was likely composed in the summer of 1841 in Nohant, France. The first German edition, published by Breitkopf & Härtel, appeared in January 1842.
There are structural similarities with the "Raindrop Prelude" which was inspired by the weather in Mallorca during Chopin's disastrous vacation with George Sand. These include a repetitive A♭ which modulates into a G♯ during the C♯ minor section.
The ballade is dedicated to Pauline de Noailles. The inspiration for it is usually claimed to be Adam Mickiewicz's poem Undine, also known as Świtezianka.
The speed indication is Allegretto (fairly fast) and in 6/8 time.
We conceive of narrative in verbal terms: the story, the poem, the novel. In literature as well as in song. The ballade had long been associated with epic and dramatic themes as emotional storytelling. Chopin appropriated the musical ballade from these verbal roots.
Of the four ballades written over the course of his career, the third Ballade is the warmest and most lyrical. Even its central turbulent detours cannot diminish its ardour.
(Although the weather at this time was unseasonal for the central part of France, in this composition Chopin seems to have been in a relaxed mood; he even used the raindrops to turn the pitter-patter into a graceful dance!.
His mood seems to have become even more playful at 4'51'' developing into the ecstatic at5'11''. Even when the raindrops permeated his thoughts his mood changed the incessant dripping 6'12'' into a full-bodied dance at 6'25''. This is followed by a more introvert mood, but soon changes to an even more elated form of the dance, which ends the piece on a triumphant climax.
What genius to turn a disastrous holiday into a positive outcome by writing such a composition against disapponting circumstances!!)
GlynGlynn, alias GB, realiser.
Please feel free to leave any comments, be they good, bad, or indifferent as to whether the piece, or the performance, moved you in any way whatsoever!
(Since music is an aural art, and not a visual one, it is best to listen to these pieces, and other artists performances, with eyes closed, so as to be able to listen intently as to how the music is portrayed).