My favorite version is played by Zimerman, but I couldn't find a recording of him playing only the first ballade, so I went with my next favorite. The parts at 4:48 (especially after 4:55) and 7:47 are absolutely divine. I never tire of listening to those parts; I just feel something pang deep in my chest that is difficult to describe with words.
The whole piece is an absolute masterpiece; even the fiery ending with all the chromatic bits and scales get to me as well. I recommend listening to the whole piece from the beginning if you've never heard it before.