Chopin's Page

FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN

( 1810 - 1849 )

[Major Works] [ Introduction to some of his works]
Chopin's Life

Chopin was born at Zelazowa Wola, Poland on the first of March. He
showed his musical talent at a very early age. He was able to compose
music on piano at the age of six and gave his first concert at the age
of eight. However, Chopin was not a robust child. Therefore, his father
sent him to the countryside outside Warsaw every summer so that the
fresh air could strengthen him. When he was 16, he was enrolled at the
newly formed Warsaw Conservatoire. There, he found a tutor who
recognised his unique genius and sent him to Vienna to broaden his
musical horizons. Back in Warsaw, Chopin was popular. He was kind
and courteous, with a ready sense of humour. He was also extremely
handsome, with the pale look of the consumptive. The intensity of his
personailty often brought frustrations. He was irritated by the superficial
nature of the public's music taste on his visit to Vienna in 1830. In eight
months, he only played two public performances, but he prefered intimate
gatherings, playing in people's homes, or teaching pupils on one-to-one
basics. In 1830, the dramatic uprising of the Polish rulers changed the
course of his life. He was on tour in Europe and unabled to go home.
Therefore, he went to Paris. In 1835, Chopin paid a visit to his old friends
from Poland in Germany. Emotionally, Chopin was very insecure. He fell in
love with their 16-year-old daughter, MariaWodzinski, during the visit.
Her mother forbade their marriage on the grounds of Chopin's obvious
ill-health. Sadly, Chopin returned to Paris. Soon after his returned, he
received a proposition from one of the French's capital's most notorious
women, George Sand, whose real name was Aurore Dudevant. She
persisted in becoming his mistress, and they became lovers in 1838. When
Chopin suffered a servere bout of tuberculosis, George Sand took him to
the skilled doctors in France whom saved his life. He never enjoyed a
good health. Althought 5 feet 8 inches tall, he weighed a pitiful seven
stone. Chopin devoted the energy he had to composition. During the rest
of in Paris, he made his living by giving piano lessons. In July 1847,
George Sand and Chopin's relationship ended due to Sand's adolescent
children's resentment. Chopin fell into a depression from which he
never really recovered. He had his last trip to England in April 1848 with
his former pupil, Jane Stirling. They returned to Paris in November where
he spent the last few months of his life. He died on the 17th of October at
the age of 39. His last request was for Mozart's Requiem to be played at
his funeral, in Paris on 30th of November.

His Great Works

2 Piano Concertos
Piano Concerto in E minor, Op.11
Piano Concerto in F minor, Op.21

3 Piano Sonatas

Piano Pieces

Chamber Music

Others
Variations on 'La ci darem la mano', Op.2
Grand Fantasy on Polish Airs, Op.13
Krakowiak Rondo, Op.14
Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante, Op.22
17 Polish Songs, Op.74

Introduction to some of his works

Ballade
Ballade No.1 in G, Op.23
Chopin composed four Ballades which are very special works for the piano. They blend poetry and brilliance, drama and tenderness, and all the wonderful musical qualities that people have come to love in Chopin. Display a unique construction, these Ballades pull the listener into the story and keeps him spellbound throughout. The first Ballade in G, which he took four years to complete, is one of the most frequently heard. From its opening dramatic octaves, through its heart throb melodies, to its bravura passages, the musical expression is direct and effective.

Etude Op.10

Etude in E, No.3

Etude in C 'Revolutionary' , No.12
The twelve etudes of Opus 10 were written between 1829 to 1832 and completed when Chopin was only 22 years old. They were published in 1833.

Chopin's Etude in E, Op. 10, No. 3, was most likely modeled after a vocal form of music as its slow theme seems almost suitable for the human voice, and is reminiscent of Italian opera. Curiously, the melody has found its way into 20th century American pop music. When played with simplicity and understatement, this etude is one of Chopin's most beautiful. The lovely slow melody is interrupted by an animated and increasingly chromatic forceful middle section.
The dramatic, surging scales of Chopin's Etude in C minor, Op. 10, No. 12 are intended to incite revolutionary feelings. It was written soon after the Russians occupied Poland in 1831. The study expresses first Chopin's sadness, then his anger at the cature of his homeland.

Etude Op.25

Etude in Ab, No.1

Etude in C# 'Cello' , No.7
The twelve Opus 25 etudes were composed from 1832 to 1836. They are all marvels of composition and unique in the way Chopin has managed to parcel exercises in specific technical difficulties into a fully integreted and artistic miniature of music.

The melody of Chopin's Etude in A flat, Op. 25, No. 1 is revealed in a series of scintillating arpeggios, demonstrating Chopin's talent for creating melody out of harmonies. They are such remarkable pieces of music that it is impossible to think of theme as mere etudes.
Chopin's Etude in C sharp minor, Op. 25, No. 7 is often referred to as the "Cello Etude". The left hand plays a broad melody, while another makes its entrance in the right hand. The effect of this is a beautiful interplay between the two themes. They are such remarkable pieces of music that it is impossible to think of theme as mere etudes.

Impromptu
Impromptu No.4 in C# 'Fantaisie' , Op.66
Chopin's Impromptus are not considered to be his best work as they can not match the substance of the Etudes and the Preludes. However, of the four Impromptus written by Chopin, the Fantasie- Impromptu in C sharp minor is considered to be the most passionate. It was composed in 1835 but first published in 1855.

Nocturne

Nocturne in Eb, Op.9, No.2

Nocturne in F#, Op.15, No.2

Nocturne in Db, Op.27, No.2
Nocturne is a piece od music conveying the mood of the evening. Chopin's Nocturnes have a special beauty which comes from their slow, elegantly expressive right melodies and the rich supporting left hand accompaniment. Chopin's Irish contemporary John Field (1782-1837) was actually the first composer to write a "nocturne" for piano solo. Chopin modelled his after Field's.

In the Nocturne in E-flat, op. 9, no. 2, Chopin repeats a melodic idea several times. The intention of this repetition is to intensify the original idea. Like many lyrical pieces of the time, this Nocturne is made up of regular eight-bar periods.
In the Nocturne in F sharp, Op. 15, No. 2, he begins with a Larghetto melody whose simplicity is rippled with surprising twists of brilliance. The middle section surges with increasing movement and sonority before the languid opening melody returns.
In the Nocturne in D flat, Op. 27, No. 2, he states the melody differently three times. Each time, he uses musical colour to vary the effect of the melody. This technique is known as chromatic variance.

Polonaise
Polonaise in A 'Military', Op.40, No.1
Chopin's Polonaise in A, Op. 40, No. 1 is often referred to as the "Military Polonaise" because of its brisk, march-like quality. Initially bright and quick, it becomes broadly melodic toward the middle of the piece. It was composed in 1838 and first published in 1840.

Prelude

Prelude in E, Op.28, No.4

Prelude in A, Op.28, No.7

Prelude in F#, Op.28, No.8

Prelude in Db 'Raindrop', Op.28, No.15
The twenty-four Preludes were composed from 1836 to 1839 and first published in 1839. Like Bach's Preludes from the Well-Tempered Clavier, Chopin composed one in each major and minor key. Often the prelude is based on a single idea, sometimes only a motive. They are true romantic miniatures, each pointedly expressing a feeling or idea. They work as individual pieces, but when played as a set, they display a true, cohesive emotional spectrum of the highest artistry.

Prelude No. 4 in E minor is a simple, sadly expressive melody floating over repeated left hand chords.
The Prelude in A, op. 28, no. 7 is the shortest of the set, lasting only 16 short bars. Its very brevity makes it a challenge to interpret.
No. 8 in F-sharp minor is one of the more technically difficult of the Preludes. The right hand must ring out a thumb melody amidst an incessant cascade of rapid notes. There is no let up in intensity from beginning to end.
The dripping of rain outside his study window is supposed to have given Chopin the idea for the repeated notes in his Prelude in D flat, op. 28, no. 15. The repeated notes of this Prelude suggest the steady drumming of raindrops on the roof. Listen for the passages representing the storm's rolling thunder. The piece was written in Majorca in 1838.

Waltz

Waltz in Eb, Op.18

Waltz in Db 'Minute', Op.64, No.1

Waltz in C#, Op.64, No.2

Waltz in E, Op.Posthumous
In many ways, Chopin's treatment of the waltz is akin to the way Baroque composers treated the court dances of their time. The layout of the music is simple, the music elegant and charming, but the waltzes are not intended to be great artistic statements.
- The Waltz in E flat, Op. 18 opens with a trumpet-like fanfare and than vigorously steps right into the swing of things. The leggieremente second melody with its repeated notes is delightful. This one of the most brilliant of all the waltzes.
- Also nicknamed the "Dog Waltz", Chopin's "Minute Waltz" is supposed to take only one minute to perform. This animated waltz, despite its nickname, is longer than a minute. Composed between 1846 to 1847 and first published in 1847, this waltz is one of Chopin's most famous compositions.
- The Waltz in C sharp minor, Op. 64, No. 2 is very popular. It's memorable features include the sparkling right hand refrain that returns repeatedly, and a particularly moving second melody. The overall musical effect is more satisfying than most of his other waltzes. It was composed between 1846 to 1847 and first published in 1847.
- Chopin's Waltz in E minor, Op. Posthumous is a quick a capricious piece of fluff. Its rhythmic grazioso opening theme is introduced by an arpeggio-like pattern. This begins low and quickly rises four octaves. There is a lovely contrasting dolce melody before the opening theme returns and scampers to the end.

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