Fryderyk Chopin, A Brief History and Musical Accomplishments

1. Fryderyk Chopin, A Brief History and Musical Accomplishments Sarah Flint Salt Lake Community College Music 1010

2. Chopin History Frydryck Chopin Born: 1810 Died: 1849 www.milanocultura.com

3. Chopin History • 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. 2.bp.blogspot.com www.chopinmonumentinchicago.com

4. Chopin History • Chopin’s first composition was created when he was seven years old. • The composition was transcribed by his father. chopin.wordpress.com

5. 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

6. Chopin History • Chopin’s first public appearance at a charity concert at the Blue Palace. Avagabonde.blogspot.com

7. Chopin History • 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

8. 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. www.dailypainters.com

9. 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.

10. Chopin History • 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. poietes.wordpress.com www.soller1.com

11. Chopin History • At the age of thirty Chopin’s health began to fail. • He was often bedridden. • He still continued to teach. 1.bp.blogspot.com

12. Chopin History • Chopin final appearance was at the Salle Pleyel on Rue Rochechouart. • The event was a charity event for Polish refugees.

13. Chopin History bbc.co.uk en.wikipedia.org www.chopimonumentinchicago.com • 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 PereLachasise Cemetery, in Paris.

14. Chopin History cbc.ca • 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.

15. 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.

16. Ballade No 1 in G Minor, OP 23 • Composed from 1835 – 1836 • Dedicated to Monsier le Baron de Stochausen. • Inspired by the poem Konrad Wallenrod. • The most popular of the four ballades.

17. Listening GuideBallade No 1 in G Minor, Op 23Performed by Claudio Arrau • http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.12899170&artistId=art.62105 • 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

18. Listening Guide Ballad No 1 • 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.

19. Ballade No. 3 in A flat major • Composed in 1841 • Dedicated to Mademoisell Pauline de Noailles • Inspired by the poem Switerzianka • Considered the technically easiest of the four ballades.

20. Listening GuideBallade No 3 in A Flat Major, Op 47Performed by Claudio Arrau • http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.12899172&artistId=art.62105 • 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

21. Listening Guide Ballade No. 3 • 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

22. References • Szulc T., Chopin In Paris, 1998, ISBN 0-684-82458-2, p9 • Szulc T., Chopin In Paris, 1998, ISBN 0-684-82458-2, p33 • Szulc T., Chopin In Paris, 1998, ISBN 0-684-82458-2, p19 • Szulc T., Chopin In Paris, 1998, ISBN 0-684-82458-2, p 43-44 • Hedley Encyclopedia Britainica p 264