Freric Chopin Biography

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Frédéric Chopin, a music composer of the Romantic Era, was born on March 1, 1810 as Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin in Żelazowa Wola, Poland, yet was stated to be born on February 22 on his baptismal certificate. His parents, Mikołaj (Nicolas) Chopin and Tekla Justyna Krzyżanowska, had 3 other children (Ludwika, Izabela, and Emilia), while growing up in a middle class family. His mother brought piano into his life at the age of 6 while his sister, Ludwika, gave him his first few piano lessons. At the age of 7, he composed his first composition and started to perform the next year. Realizing his skill in piano-playing, his parents hired Wojcheh Zywny, a professional pianist, from 1816-1822. Soon, Chopin could play better than him. His family moved to Warsaw in 1820, and in 1826 he went to Vienna to perform. From 1826-1830, he studied with Josef Elsner at the Warsaw Conservatory of Music. Chopin also played for audiences in Poland, Germany, Austria and Paris after his Vienna debut. He eventually decided to stay and live in Paris and changed his name to Frédéric François Chopin. While there, he met other composers, such as Franz Liszt, Vincenzo Bellini and Felix Mendelssohn. Liszt and himself became friends and played concerts together. However, later on they became contenders. Chopin fell ill with bronchial asthma returning from his trip to Dresden and Karlsbad in 1835. In 1836, he asked Maria Wodzinska (a 17 year old Polish girl) to marry him, and she accepted. In October the same year, Chopin met George Sand (also known as Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin). George Sand wanted Chopin for herself and ended up ruining his relationship with Maria Wodzinska. Chopin and Sand had a nine year relationship, but it eventually ended. Chopin’s composi...

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...pin’s pieces are the famous Minute Waltz in D Flat Major, Op. 64 No. 1 and Sonata No.2 in B flat Minor (Funeral March), Op. 35 - 3. Minute Waltz in D Flat Major is a fairly quick and light piece, while giving the listener excitement and joy. It is said that Chopin wrote this piece while he was watching a dog chase its tail in 1847 (2 years before he died). Sonata No.2 in B flat Minor, as suggested by the title, is sorrowful (note that it is also written in a minor key). In this piece, Chopin displays a whole new emotion, as its style is slower and quieter.
Frédéric Chopin’s music greatly conveyed his emotions through his style of music, which was never imagined before. The technique he uses he uses is identified by users today as unique. Though Chopin died at the age of 39, he inspired many artists after his time, and left generations to come his beautiful music.

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