The Life of Frédéric Chopin “Poet of the Piano” 1810-1849

The Life of Frédéric Chopin The Life of Frédéric Chopin “Poet of the Piano”“Poet of the Piano”

1810-18491810-1849

OverviewOverview

Born on March 1, Born on March 1, 1810 in Zelazowa, 1810 in Zelazowa, Poland.Poland.

World renowned World renowned virtuosic pianist and virtuosic pianist and composer.composer.

Known for his Known for his originality in regards originality in regards to the pianoto the piano

Major WorksMajor Works

Chopin composed almost primarily for the Chopin composed almost primarily for the piano and some of his most well known piano and some of his most well known compositions are listed below.compositions are listed below.– Fantaisie in F minorFantaisie in F minor, Op. 49, Op. 49– Revolutionary Etude, Op. 10, No. 12Revolutionary Etude, Op. 10, No. 12 – 24 Preludes, Op. 2824 Preludes, Op. 28

ChildhoodChildhood

Family moved to Warsaw, Poland shortly Family moved to Warsaw, Poland shortly after Chopin’s birth.after Chopin’s birth.

Began playing piano at 4.Began playing piano at 4.

Composed two Composed two PolonaisesPolonaises (Solemn Polish (Solemn Polish Dance) at the age of 7. Dance) at the age of 7.

Labeled a child “prodigy”Labeled a child “prodigy”

BiographyBiography

Studied piano at Studied piano at Warsaw Conservatory Warsaw Conservatory under Wilhelm Würfel.under Wilhelm Würfel.

Heavily influenced by Heavily influenced by Polish folk music.Polish folk music.

Finished his formal Finished his formal education at the education at the Higher School in Higher School in 1829.1829.

Biography (cont.)Biography (cont.)

Traveled Europe giving concerts in places Traveled Europe giving concerts in places such as Vienna, Munich, Paris, and such as Vienna, Munich, Paris, and London.London.

During this time Chopin was constantly During this time Chopin was constantly working on new compositions.working on new compositions.

War at HomeWar at Home

While in Vienna, there was a revolt in While in Vienna, there was a revolt in Poland against the Russian Czar who Poland against the Russian Czar who ruled the nation.ruled the nation.

A war ensued, and eventually Poland fell A war ensued, and eventually Poland fell completely under Russian control.completely under Russian control.

War at Home (cont.)War at Home (cont.)

Distraught over the Distraught over the disaster in Poland, disaster in Poland, Chopin nearly had a Chopin nearly had a nervous breakdown.nervous breakdown.

As a result of the war, As a result of the war, thousands of Poles thousands of Poles emigrated to less emigrated to less hostile countries.hostile countries.

ViennaVienna

While staying in While staying in Vienna, Chopin’s Vienna, Chopin’s compositions became compositions became more expressive and more expressive and helped to create his helped to create his own individual style.own individual style.

Example: Example: Etudes, Op. Etudes, Op. 1010

ParisParis

In 1831, Chopin arrived in Paris to further his In 1831, Chopin arrived in Paris to further his career.career.

While there, he met and befriended other While there, he met and befriended other legendary composers such as…legendary composers such as…

ComposersComposers

Franz Lizst (Above Left)Franz Lizst (Above Left)

Felix Mendelssohn Felix Mendelssohn (Above)(Above)

Robert Schumann (Left)Robert Schumann (Left)

George SandGeorge Sand

Also while in Paris, Also while in Paris, Chopin met and Chopin met and married the famous married the famous French writer George French writer George Sand.Sand.She was a source of She was a source of inspiration as well as inspiration as well as a maternal figure in a maternal figure in Chopin’s life.Chopin’s life.Alas…Alas…

George Sand (cont.)George Sand (cont.)

The couple separated The couple separated in 1847, leaving in 1847, leaving Chopin emotionally Chopin emotionally crushed.crushed.

Chopin’s DeathChopin’s Death

After that, Chopin’s After that, Chopin’s health began to health began to decline.decline.

He was diagnosed He was diagnosed with pulmonary with pulmonary tuberculosistuberculosis

Chopin died on Chopin died on October 17October 17thth, 1849, in , 1849, in Paris.Paris.

In ClosingIn Closing

Chopin’s music is Chopin’s music is recognized worldwide recognized worldwide for its beauty and for its beauty and complexity.complexity.

His works on the His works on the piano are staples in piano are staples in the piano repertoire.the piano repertoire.

Further ListeningFurther Listening

Most any of Chopin’s works are critically Most any of Chopin’s works are critically acclaimed, but some of his most famous acclaimed, but some of his most famous are:are:– Chopin EtudesChopin Etudes– Chopin ImpromptusChopin Impromptus– Chopin WaltzesChopin Waltzes

Works CitedWorks Cited

The following websites were used to The following websites were used to create this presentation:create this presentation:

– http://www.chopin.pl– Classical Music PageClassical Music Page

http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/chopin.html