Chopin


	FrédéricChopin

		Click on picture to hear a sample of Chopin's work.

Frédéric Chopin, the greatest of the Polish composers, was born in Zelazowa Wola, near Warsaw on February 22, 1810 of a French father, and a Polish mother. He spent the first 20 years of his life in Warsaw, where he was able to hear many of the premier artists of the time perform. Chopin first studied piano at the Warsaw Conservatory, and became very proficient on the instrument by the time he reached his early teens. He played his first concert at the age of 7, and was a published composer by the time he turned 15.

By the late 1820s, Chopin had won a great reputation as a piano virtuoso and composer. He toured throughout Europe to the acclaim of audiences and critics, alike. In 1831, after performing in Paris, he fell so deeply in love with the city that he made it his home, and never again returned to Warsaw. He soon became a favorite of the Parisian salons, and the society elite, and throughout the years that he lived in Paris, was always in great demand as both a pianist and a teacher.

In the late 1830s, Chopin met the novelist, Mme. Aurore Dudévant, who used the pen name George Sand. They began a relationship that would prove to be both the most influential and devastating events of his life. By 1847, their highly-charged relationship had ended, leaving Chopin heartbroken.

He continued to create music, but soon became ill, and died suddenly on October 17, 1849, at the age of only 39. According to legend, there has never been a day when fresh flowers were not placed on his grave at Pêre-Lachaîse.

Selected Chopin Links

Fryderyk Chopin: Life-Works-Tradition
Chopin Society in Warsaw, Poland

The London Chopin Society
Web site of the Chopin Society, London, UK

The Unofficial Frederic Chopin Homepage!
Largest collection of music

Chopin Works List compiled by Roman Mueller
Sorted by opus number

Frederic Francois Chopin
Short biography, pictures, and a lot of music.

The Classical Midi Archives - Chopin, Frederic Francois
More music

Frederic Chopin
Chopin's life in 3 parts, and some good links.

Midi to download
Courtesy of Midi World
No. 1 in Amaj "Military Polonaise" (27k) Valerie Tryon
3rd Mov't. "Marche Funebre" (25k)
Grande Valse Brillante in Eb major (39k) Bernd Krueger
No. 5 in Gbmaj "Black Key Etude" (13k) Valerie Tryon
Polonaise-Fantaisie (56k) Ron Lubetsky, MD

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