Fryderyk Chopin, A Brief
History and Musical
Accomplishments
Sarah Flint
Salt Lake Community College
Music 1010
Chopin History
Frydryck Chopin
Born: 1810
Died: 1849
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Chopin History
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Fryderyk Chopin was
born on March 1st, 1810
in Zelazowa Wola.
His parents were Mikolaj
Chopin and Justyna
Chopin.
By the age of 6 he
mastered the piano.
He practiced Bach daily.
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www.chopinmonumentinchicago.com
Chopin History
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chopin.wordpress.com
Chopin’s first
composition was
created when he was
seven years old.
The composition was
transcribed by his
father.
Chopin History
Chopin was ill most of his life
 Biggest illness was tuberculosis
 His father and sister died of tuberculosis
 Exposed to tuberculosis while they were
young in Poland
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Chopin History
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Chopin’s first public appearance at a charity
concert at the Blue Palace.
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Chopin History
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When Chopin was
sixteen he bought
Ballads and
Romances by Adam
Mickiewicz. Some of
Chopin’s ballads were
inspired by these
poems.
www.polandbymail.com
Chopin History
November 1831 Chopin left
Poland for Paris.
 He was a Polish patriot.
 Chopin enjoyed Paris,
especially the Opera.
 He lived an elegant life
style.
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Chopin History
He disliked public performances.
 Chopin preferred to play for small groups
of friends.
 He played publicly thirty times.
 Chopin was the least publicly heard pianist
of his time.
 He earned his income mainly by teaching.
 Chopin charged up to 20 francs per
lesson, which supported his high standard
of living.
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Chopin History
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With his lover,
George Sands,
Chopin traveled to
Majorca for the
winter.
Chopin was very ill
during this time.
The most productive
time of his career.
Chopin History
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At the age of thirty
Chopin’s health
began to fail.
He was often
bedridden.
He still continued to
teach.
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Chopin History
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Chopin final
appearance was at
the Salle Pleyel on
Rue Rochechouart.
The event was a
charity event for
Polish refugees.
Chopin History
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en.wikipedia.org
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Chopin died on October 17, 1849.
Chopin died of tuberculosis.
Chopin heart is preserved at the Holy Cross Church near
his home town in Poland.
He is buried at Pere Lachasise Cemetery, in Paris.
Chopin History
cbc.ca
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Majority of Chopin’s music was written for the
piano.
There are a total of 230 Chopin compositions.
Chopin is one of the great masters of the
Romantic Era.
Composition History
Chopin was the leading composer to use
ballades as a music form
 Ballade at the time was associated with
French poetry.
 Considered to be among the most
technically difficult to perform.
 Written for the piano as a solo instrument.
 Inspired by Adam Mickiewicz.
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Ballade No 1 in G Minor, OP 23
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Composed from 1835
– 1836
Dedicated to Monsier
le Baron de
Stochausen.
Inspired by the poem
Konrad Wallenrod.
The most popular of
the four ballades.
Listening Guide
Ballade No 1 in G Minor, Op 23
Performed by Claudio Arrau
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http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.12899170&artistId=art.62105
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0:00 Ballade No 1 begins pesante.
0:30 Moves to duple meter, which is the introduction to the main
theme
1:42 The right hand is impressive with quick movements
1:55 The tempo quickens
2:10 Beginning of 1 of 2 glissandro passages
2:26 Bass cleft takes over the theme
2:37 Resolution of the theme
2:50 Second theme begins
4:20 First them reintroduced
4:30 Beginning of a series of crescendo’s
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Listening Guide Ballad No 1
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4:46 Moves to a double forte series of chords with a moving bass
line
5:18 Begins a series in a descending scale.
5:27 Moves to an ascending scale with quick fingering
5:36 Counter subject begins
6:12 Second them reintroduced
7:14 Returns to first theme
7:58 Second glissandro run begins
9:00 Beginning the rounding out of the phrasing with quarter notes.
Ballade No. 3 in A flat major
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Composed in 1841
Dedicated to
Mademoisell Pauline
de Noailles
Inspired by the poem
Switerzianka
Considered the
technically easiest of
the four ballades.
Listening Guide
Ballade No 3 in A Flat Major, Op 47
Performed by Claudio Arrau
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http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.12899172&artistId=art.6210
5
0:00 Begins soft and dolce
0:26 A change in the introduction begins
1:05 Gradual crescendo into diverging trills
1:30 The intensity diminishes
2:18 A new theme introduced
3:08 Beginning of the climax of the current theme
3:58 Main theme reintroduced
4:28 Second theme is introduced
Listening Guide Ballade No. 3
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4:58 Scales move to the bass line
5:15 First theme reintroduced
5:47 A key change
6:23 Intensity diminishes, melody comes to resolution
6:40 Key change back to original key
7:02 Intensity builds in major key
7:14 Climax of the song
7:40 Resolution
References
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Szulc T., Chopin In Paris, 1998, ISBN 0684-82458-2, p9
Szulc T., Chopin In Paris, 1998, ISBN 0684-82458-2, p33
Szulc T., Chopin In Paris, 1998, ISBN 0684-82458-2, p19
Szulc T., Chopin In Paris, 1998, ISBN 0684-82458-2, p 43-44
Hedley Encyclopedia Britainica p 264