Frédéric François Chopin: A Marvelous Pianist

Born in 1810, Poland and died in 1849, France; Frédéric François Chopin was a very famous pianist and a music composer. He grew up in Warsaw, in a family full of art. His father was a tutor and a French teacher. Chopin always found himself listening to the plays of piano of her mother and sister. By the age of 6, he had already started making tunes and playing what he heard. Later, he began taking lessons from Wojciech Zywny.

s:fr:Auteur:Frédéric Chopin et s:fr:Auteur:George Sand, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

He started playing at private soirées and made his first public appearance at a charity concert. At the age of 7, he wrote Polonaise in G minor and later played at the military parade of Russian grand duke Constantine. When he was 16, his parents signed him up for the Warsaw Conservatory of Music and a while after that he was sent to Vienna for a wider perspective of music.

Bibliothèque nationale de France , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

At the age of 21, he moved to Paris. Here, he gave many concerts as well as tutored piano. After that he met Franz List and got engaged to Maria Wodzińska, though their engagement didn’t last long. After meeting George Sand, they went to Mayorka and Chopin had his most productive years here.

Louis-Auguste Bisson , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In 1849, he died because of tuberculosis. His heart is now in a church in Warsaw.

Some of his most popular compositions

1) Fantaisie-Impromptu (1834)

One of his most magical music. Known by billions of people and almost every musician, Fantaisie-Impromptu never fails to mesmerize its listeners.

Frédéric Chopin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

2) Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante (1834)

A wonderful piece full of ups and downs and will help you experience sorrow as well as excitement.

3) Nocturne in C sharp minor (1870)

Also known from the movie “The Pianist”, this is one of the most famous works of Chopin. Published 26 years after his death, this piece has a melancholic melody.

Dorota Relidzyńska, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

4) 24 Preludes (1839)

One of his 24 Preludes, “Raindrop” was played in Chopin’s funeral. With his work, he brought a new meaning to prelude.

Unknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

5) Etudes, Op. 10 (1839)

Chopin’s wonderful 27 etudes which have inexplicable melodies.

Henryk Siemiradzki , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

6) Piano Concerto No. 1 (1830)

One of his two wonderful concertos, which he wrote in his late teens. Also a very widely known piece of Chopin.

X490, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

7) Fantasie on Polish Airs (1830)

Steven Pisano, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

8) ‘Minute’ Waltz in D flat major, Op. 64, No. 1 (1847)

A piece full of trills, rubato and an exciting melody, it is told that this piece is written by Chopin while a little dog was running around the piano.

unknown engraver, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

9) Nocturnes Op. 9 (1832)

Also one of his most popular works, it is almost impossible that you haven’t heard of this piece. The relaxing sound of this nocturne will make you feel like you’re in the clouds. It is impossible not to fall in love with this piece.

Chopin, Karl Klindworth (1830-1916) Franz Xaver Scharwenka (1850-1924), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

10) Polonaises Op. 40

This is the military song he wrote which has a very energetic melody.

Guillaume Speurt from Vilnius, Lithuania, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Resources:

https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric_Chopin

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frederic-Chopin

https://www.classicfm.com/composers/chopin/best-works-music-romantic-polish-composer/