BY MINDY WALKER

Frédéric François Chopin “Second Mozart”

A Legend is Born

Born March 1, 1810

Nick name Frycek

Born unto Nicholas and Justyna

Wrote his first composition on the piano by the age of seven

Nicholas Chopin (father) Emigrates to Poland

Chopin is the second oldest child

Has older sister Ludwika

Two younger sisters named Izabela and Emilia

Piano Talent Goes Further

Chopin’s mother teaches him the basics on the piano

Realizes the potential Chopin has

Family puts Chopin in professional lessons

Passes piano teacher in talent

Allows imagination and fingers to do all the work

The Second Mozart

Age ten Chopin was given the name, “Second Mozart”

Age 14 began to compose Mazurka in A minor which is titled The Jewish

Wojech Zywny gives lessons to Chopin from the ages of 16-21

Beginning of knowing Chopin was going to make history

Moves the Family to France

Age 19 begins performing solos in Warsaw

Plays two concertos with pride

Russians invade Poland pushing his family to Paris, France

Franz Liszt

Chopin considered a French composer now

Meets Franz Liszt in France

Become composer partners

Eventually become rivals and go their separate ways

A New Love

Age 26 Chopin’s wedding engagement is called off

Meets George Sand and may have been the reason for the break up

Sand has children who accompany her and Chopin

Past Becomes Present

Begins feeling effects of asthma and tuberculosis that he was diagnosed with at a young age

Sand is a smoker and attends parties that could affect Chopin

May have been the reason for Chopin and Sand to break up to obtain a smoke- free environment

The Long Stretch of His Career

Age 35 tuberculosis takes a toll on Chopin

Begins feeling weak and sickness gets worse

Still performs in Paris and London

Continues writing music

Understands his illness is going to take away his career or even his life

Funeral Planning

Age 38 in the month of February Chopin becomes even more ill

Starts planning funeral services

Wants body opened up and heart cut out when he passes

Didn’t want to be buried underground and had his heart sent in an urn back to Warsaw, Poland

Mozart’s composition, Requiem to be played

Chopin’s own composition named Suffocation or also known as Prelude in E-Minor (Op. 28, No. 4) to be played as well

The Last of Frédéric Chopin

October 17, 1849 Frédéric François Chopin loses battle to his illness

Funeral isn’t until October 30, 1849

Held at Church of Madeleine

Prelude in E-Minor (Op.28, No.4)

Composed this piece around the age of 20

Most memorable composition

Darker piece that may have been written describing the way he felt

Also known as Suffocation

Played at his funeral

Nocturne in E-Flat Major (Op.9, No.2)

Published in 1833

Romantic song

Most popular from one of three sets of Nocturnes

Influence may have been directed to a piano manufacture’s wife

Prelude Op.28, No.15

Composed in 1838 in Vallemossa, Majorca

Also known as Raindrops

Had a vision while playing the piano in a monastery

Suffocation (2:43)

Largo tempo then cut in half after 2:25 into the piece

Pianissimo throughout

Timbre is cold and sad

Form shows repetition

Melody is conjunct and in E-minor

Overall a very sad and soft composition

Nocturne in E-Flat Major (4:30)

Andante tempo

Form is repetitive and shows contrast

Rhythm is medium fast, smooth and upbeat

Melody is in major

Feeling as if a butterfly is fluttering, lands, flies and lands again

Timbre is higher octaves and sounds peaceful

Texture is soft and slow movement to your ears

Uses of mezzo forte, forte and pianissimo

Raindrops (6:25)

Tempo in adagio

Movements with single left hand and alternating with single right hand movements

Texture is smooth and soft

Timbre is peaceful and continuous

Melody contour is arch

Harmony is consonance

Pianissimo, mezzo forte and forte used

Feeling as if a rainstorm is happening

Bibliography

Huneker, James. Chopin: The Man and His Music. The Floating Press, 2009.

Sanchez, Juan Jose. Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2. 9 Setember 2012.

Shelokhonov, Steve. Frédéric Chopin Biography. 2009.

Yu, Fred. Our Chopin. 12 October 2008. 20 February 2014.