Frédéric Chopin

1810 - 1849

Frédéric François Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola (near Warsaw, Poland) on March 1, 1810 into a small family of a French father and of a Polish mother. He showed great admiration for the piano at a very young age, and he composed two polonaises (Polish dances) at the age of seven. Chopin composed chiefly for solo piano. A few exceptions include his 2 piano concertos and his Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise in E-flat major (Op. 22), for which he composed for the full orchestral. In these cases, the piano is still the central isntrument, but its music is introduced and supported with help from the orchestra. Every year, many inspired tourists visit Chopin’s grave to pay their respects. To this date, his music has been performed and recorded very frequently. He is one of the most famous composers of the Romantic period; ironically, he did not consider himself of this group. He settled in Paris where he was at the center of the artistic world; his friends included painters, authors, and other musicians. Chopin was always in poor health and his death at a young age is mourned as a true loss to music.