The most famous and popular edition of Chopin's works prepared by I. J. Paderewski, L. Bronarski and J. Turczynski. The edition has been based primarily on Chopin's autograph manuscripts, copies approved by him and first editions. The principal aim of the Editorial Committee has been to establish a text which fully reveals Chopin's thoughts and corresponds to his intentions as closely as possible.
Initiated a new genre of piano music; the ballades are not known earlier in instrumental music. Widely defined phrases, accelerated and slowed musical narrative, culminations in great climaxes, or ending with codas full of pathos - these qualities give Chopin's ballads a special, epic tone.