This epic challenge, which I've tried to kick off for a couple of years now, is finally back on track (*SEE UPDATE END OF 2025;)

It was inspired by the book called 'Play it again' by Alan Rusbridger. He is the ex-editor of the 'The Guardian' and a keen pianist, who decided to learn Chopin's Ballade nr 1 in G minor while running one of Britain's biggest newspapers and kept a diary of his progress. The book was actually one of my inspirations to create this website.

The Ballade is one of the most iconic pieces ever written for piano and excruciatingly hard to master. I play the piano and I’m… alright. Not great, I’m not bad either. But whenever it crossed my mind to attempt this piece, I always thought: impossible. Just out of my league.

Things have changed since I run this site. I’m ready to give it a go. Least it might help keep my fingers from becoming completely rusty. I would love to perform it in front of an audience one day. Although, I never really liked playing live on stage back when I attended the music school. It never felt comfortable, at least to a shy kid like me. But that's changed now.

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My standard repertoire includes Xmas carols and a few covers of pop songs. I can just about manage a few nocturnes by Chopin, but they are way easier than this number. Being able to play the ballade is a bit like getting the professorship, whereas I just about slipped through the final high schools exams.

Nonetheless, I'm pretty proud that I can still play that piano after all these years and I didn’t stop once I turned 18;) This challenge will hopefully motivate me to regular practise and I’ll be able to perform it live in front of your eyes. Let’s crack on with practising scales then…

PS Yes, it's now end of 2025 and I'm only coming back to this. Indeed, even #likeachallenge can sometimes lag behind !!!