Frederic+Chopin

**Frederic Chopin ** Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuosic pianist. He was born on the 1st March in 1810. Chopin’s musical talent was first noticed very early on in his life. He was even compared with the child prodigy Mozart. At the age of 7, Chopin had already composed two polonaises. At a young age he was already a performer at aristocratic functions. He had also commenced giving public charity concerts. Initially he was taught on piano by Wojciech Zywny, until Chopin’s knowledge exceeded that of his teachers. Chopin was then taught by Wilhelm Wurfel, a pianist and professor at the Warsaw Conservatory. Between the years of 1823 – 1826 Chopin attended the Warsaw Lyceum where Chopin’s father was a professor. As he grew a little older he showed a great interest in folk music and country traditions. Because of this he took part in peasant weddings, harvest festivities and played a folk instrument which was similar to a double bass. In 1826 Chopin began to study music theory at the Warsaw High School of Music. This is where he learnt much about composition and elements such as figured bass. The head composer here regarded Chopin highly and noticed that he had natural compositional techniques which produced wonderful melodic invention, free improvisation, brilliant effects and perfect harmony, excellent construction and understanding meaning in notes. It was during this period that Chopin started to write some of his more extended words. After finishing his studies he wanted to learn more about the musical life of Europe. He ended up going to Vienna where he wished to establish a good reputation. In 1830 Chopin gave a goodbye concert to Warsawand headed for Austria. The time in Vienna brought strong and dramatic emotional experiences which ended up letting Chopin create his own individual style. His new works revealed new things such as strength and passion. After travelling toParis, Chopin’s reputation grew quickly. In Paris Chopin gave many lessons and became admired for teaching aristocratic figures. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Chopin was regarded as one of the greatest pianists of his time however to the contrary he hated public performances and did it rarely and unwillingly. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Chopin did find love at one stage. Maria Wodzinski showed great musical talent and Chopin fell in love with her and wished to marry her. He proposed on a family holiday but it never resulted in marriage as Maria’s family did not approve of his irregular lifestyle and poor health. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">In 1837 he travelled to Londonwith Camille Pleyel. Chopin then met a French writer, George Sand, who he fell in love with and went toSpain. In Spain however, due to the weather Chopin grew very ill and contracted tuberculosis. He became very weak but continued to compose more and more pieces. Chopin almost gave up composition completely towards the end of his life due to the effects on his physical and mental state. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">On 16<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">th of November 1848 Chopin gave his last concert, despite his poor health. He died on 17<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">th of October 1849 in his Parisian flat due to pulmonary tuberculosis.


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