Fredric Chopin (1810 1849) Romantic Era Composer
Fredric Chopin was born in Warsaw, Poland to Justine and Nicolas Chopin. His father was well educated and was employed by wealthy families in Warsaw to teach French to their children. Growing up Fredric and his three sisters were used to have dukes, countesses, poets and artists visit their home. parents
Fredric loved and understood music and at a very early age. When he was about four years old he like to lie under the piano while his older sister, Louise, practiced. Sometimes he would burst into tears because he thought the music was so beautiful. Louise Chopin
Fredric soon began experimenting with the piano himself. His parents were amazed by how quickly their son learned things on his own. When he was six years old his parents found him a teacher that taught him not only piano skills but also a love for music and the great musical composers of the past.
It wasn t long before they all realized that young Fredric Chopin had a remarkable gift for music. Along with playing the piano, he found great joy in composing his own music. By the time he was eight years old some of his own music had been published and he was giving public concerts that were loved by the audiences. Fredric Chopin
As a child, Fredric was always polite, well mannered and concerned about dressing neatly. But also liked the activities that all children enjoy. He enjoyed riding horses, ice-skating and drawing funny pictures of friends and schoolmates. Fredric as a young man
Chopin s home country of Poland was having many problems while Fredric was growing up. The biggest problems were from neighboring countries that were much more powerful and the threat that they would invade. One of these neighbors was Russia. Even with the political turmoil, Czar Alexander I, the ruler of Russia was a big fan of Chopin. After one performance the czar gave Fredric a diamond ring in recognition of his talent. Czar Alexander I
Fredric and his family spent their summers in the countryside of Poland. He was able to visit with the hard working peasants and to listen to their music. One popular Polish folk dance was the mazurka and another was a Polonaise. Fredric was influenced by these people and their music. He ended up composing more than 50 mazurkas and over 20 Polonaises which became extremely popular with the Polish people. The Midday Rest, by Streitt showing the Polish countryside in the 1800s
After high school and music college Fredric decided to leave Poland in November 1830 to continue his music in Vienna and Paris. Just days after leaving a group of Polish citizens started a rebellion to throw the Russian soldiers out of Poland. He became inspired to compose one of his most exciting and powerful pieces, the Etude in C Minor, also known as the Revolutionary Etude. In parts, it seems to explode with rushing piano sounds. Fredric Chopin
Even though Fredric was one of the best pianists ever, Chopin never really enjoyed performing in front of large audiences. In fact, he was usually terrified. Chopin choose to spend more time composing and playing for small groups of friends. He made lots of money giving piano lessons to wealthy families in Paris. He loved to spend money on elegant clothes and kept a carriage to travel around Paris. Fredric Chopin
One evening, when Fredric was at a party, he was introduced to an unusual woman author named George Sand. Her books were very popular at the time. She sometimes dressed in men s clothes and even smoked cigars. At first Fredric was thought she too weird to become friends with, but after he got to know her, he fell deeply in love. For the next ten years Fredric Chopin and George Sand had one of the most famous romances of the century. He composed most of his greatest works while dating her. George Sand
Unfortunately, Frederic Chopin had poor health for much of his life. He was often sick with lung problems and was small and skinny (only 100 pounds and 5 8 tall) probably because of his illness. When he and George Sand broke up, he slowly became worse. Chopin wrote a few more great pieces and gave some concerts until he felt to weak to do any more. He died quietly in Paris in 1849. Chopin s compositions are considered some of the most original, sensitive and beautiful piano music ever written. He is considered one of the finest composers of piano music of all time. Chopin gravesite in Paris