Polish genius of piano

He was a child of his nation and Europe. Born in Żelazowa Wola (Poland) but lived in Paris (France), Frederic Francois Chopin was a Polish composer, a virtuoso of piano, and music teacher of French--Polish parentage.

Chopin was a son of a Polish gentlewoman and a French tutor. Music was always present in Chopin family and very early Frederic reveald his musical talent. Supported by his mother, at the age of seven Chopin wrote "Polonaise G-moll" and started performing for the nobility and aristocracy. A significant role in the development of Chopin as a composer was played by summer trips during which he had connection to country music. He became one of the most recognizable and wanted composers and pianist of his era. After visiting European capitals, such as Berlin or Vienna, Chopin was highly motivated to compose hist first piano concert - "Piano Concerto F-moll", then first etudes, fights, and in 1830 - nocturnal.

Napoleonic era was a time of hope for the Poles. During the November Uprising, Frederic Chopin was already abroad and finally he settled down in Paris – the cultural capital of Europe. He supported himself as a composer and piano teacher, giving few public performances. The vast majority of Chopin's works are exclusively for solo piano with some exceptions. His compositions are technically demanding but emphasize nuance and expressive depth. Chopin invented the musical form known as instrumental ballade and made major innovations to piano sonata, mazurek, waltz, nocturne, polonaise, etude, imprompt, scherzo, and prelude.

Frederic always suffered from poor health and he died on October 17 at 2.00 at night at the age of 39. The funeral procession at the Père Lachaise cemetery was truly royal. Members of Polish and French aristocracy joined Chopin's last journey.

A quote from Wiktor Junosza's poem - "French sky cried Polish rain on him" - perfectly illustrates Chopin's love to Poland. Even if most of his life he spent in France, where he also died, his heart and mind were always faithful and belonged to Poland. In 1880 Chopin's heart was brought to Warsaw, according to his last will, and rests in the Holy Cross church. He's at home now together with his music.

 

source: http://culture.pl/pl/tworca/fryderyk-chopin

 

Frederic Chopin's music:

Nocturn Op.9 No.2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGRO05WcNDk

Fantaisie Impromptu, Op. 66 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75x6DncZDgI

Polonaise As-Dur Op. 53 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0OowVbY6aE

Funeral March was written one year after the anniversary of the November Uprising. This piece of music expresses the feelings of sadness caused by the national disaster. The experiences that we can identify with Chopin's "Funeral March" include both the homeland disaster and regret which applies to most of Chopin's works. This is the image of regret - longing for something beautiful and wonderful, but lost and existing only in dreams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztPvDv8LVg8

 

 

Beata Jaranowska

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