Frederick Chopin

Born on February 22, 1810 in Zelazowa Wola, Poland. His mother was the one to introduce him tomusic and at age 6, and the child prodigy was already ably playing the piano. Recognizing his talent, the family engaged young Chopin in professional lessons and soon, he surpassed the teacher in both technique and imagination. He published his very first composition at age 7 and began performing just one year later. By 1826 Chopin had composed several piano pieces in different styles. His parents enrolled him in the Warsaw Conservatory of Music, where he studied for three years under Polish composer Josef Elsner.

Over the next few years Chopin performed in variety of places including Poland, Germany, Austria, and Paris. In 1832 he moved to Paris where he was known as an excellent recitalist and piano teacher. Chopin was a very prestigious young man and was favored among the ladies. He had many youthful love affairs that never lasted longer than a year. In 1838 he began a love affair with French novelist Aurore Dedevant, also known as George Sand. The next seven years proved to be the happiest and most productive period of Chopin’s life. He steadily composed a series of masterpieces.

Chopin’s health and his relationship were deteriorating. His behavior had become erratic, possibly due to an undiagnosed form of epilepsy and his affair had ended. He made his last tour to the British Isles, where he struggled under an exhaustingly busy schedule and made his last appearance November 16, 1848 the returned to Paris. Tuberculosis killed Chopin on October 17, 1849, at age 38. Fredrick Chopin had a great Impact on Poland and was considered Poland’s greatest Composer. He focused his efforts on piano composition and was a strong influence on composers who followed him.

Sources:
Niecks, F. (1888). Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician. London; New York.

Zaluski, I. (1993). Chopin’s Scottish Autumn (Frederick Chopin). 263(1530), 34.