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Frederic CHOPIN1 March 1810 - 17 October 1849 (age 39)Frederic Chopin, the Polish pianist and composer, was one of the most significant composers of the Romantic period. Many of his pieces are widely known today as they have been featured in lots of films, TV programs, advertisements and on the radio - not just classical stations.
FamilyBorn: March 1, 1810 in Zelazowa Wola, PolandDied: October 17, 1849 in Paris, France. Tubercolosis. Father: Mikołaj (Nicolas) Chopin, originally a Frenchman from Lorraine, played the flute and violin. Mother: Tekla Justyna Krzyzanowska Siblings: 3 sisters: Ludwika, Izabela and Emilia. Ludwika (Louise) gave him his first piano lessons. Partners: Unmarried. Was engaged to Maria Wodzińska but broken off. Several romances including Polish countess Delfina Potocka. The most important however was his 10 year turbulent relationship with French writer George Sand ( Aurore Dudevant) who dressed as a man. Children: none Grave: Heart only: Holy Cross Church, Warsaw, Poland Body (without heart): Cimetière du Père Lachaise, Paris, France Amazon StoreBooks, CDs on Amazon.com (US)
WorksStyle: early French Romantic with Polish nationalist influence.Quantity: well over 200 works including: 58 Mazurkas 19 Waltzes 27 etudes 21 nocturnes 21 waltzes 17 polonaises 2 Piano concertos 26 Preludes He is unusual in being known primarily for his work for the piano only. He produced very little chamber music and his only major orchestral works were two piano concertos. He didn't give titles to his works but identified them by genre and number. One of his best known works however is known as 'The Minute Waltz" Chopin made a good living by composing and teaching. He gave very few public performances (30 - 35) preferring to play in private salons or at home to his circle of friends and acquantances. The Man- Height: 5'7" / 1m 70cm- Weight: 40kg / 88lbs (seriously underweight) - Large aquiline nose, thin lips, protruding lower lip. - Delicate hands - Fond of elegant, expensive clothes - Poor health from childhood. Prone to chest infections with much wheezing and coughing. - Didn't lose his Polish accent. Didn't manage to completely master French, his adopted language. - Liked to be punctual. - Religion: Catholic - Friends: Liszt, Mendelssohn, Berlioz. - Excellent piano teacher. Well liked by his pupils. Quotes- "Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art."- "England is a country of pianos, they are everywhere." - "Here, whatever is not boring is not English." - "I'm a revolutionary, money means nothing to me." - "Sometimes I can only groan, suffer, and pour out my despair at the piano!" - "Put all your soul into it, play the way you feel!" and lots, lots more quotes by and about Chopin (click link) Yundi Li - "Fantasie" Impromptu, Op. 66
200th Anniversary1 March 2010 was the 200th anniversary of his birth. There are celebrations, concerts, exhibitions, events all over the world. Click on the logo on the right which will take you to a portal for what is going on.
NewsA brief biography- Childhood: Family moved to Warsaw soon after he was born. For more biographical information see the links below. 
200th Anniversary Complete EditionTo celebrate his 200th anniversary, EMI Classics has released his complete works featuring his most beloved piano sonatas, mazurkas, waltzes, nocturnes, polonaises, études, impromptus and préludes. This exclusive 16-CD box set is a collectors dream.Complete Edition (US)  TravelsLeft Poland when he was 21 to go to Paris.Toured Europe with his friend Liszt, but stayed predominantly in Paris. Spent some time in Majorca for his health - but it rained all the time and he got worse! The year before he died he spent 7 months in England and Scotland. His last public performance was for Polish refugees in London's Guildhall More composers at Zazzle
on eBay right now:On eBay you will find bargains galore but more interestingly there is a treasure chest of old items. Out of print books, old recordings no longer available, memorabilia and goods no longer sold on the High Street.To see what is currently on offer take a look at:
Do you have something to add about Chopin?
Do you have something you would like to share about Chopin: Links - and where to go for more information - The Chopin Project - The Fryderyk Chopin Institute, Warsaw - The Poet of the Piano - The Life of Chopin by Liszt - Answers.com --------------------------------- |
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