FRÉDÉRIC FRANÇOIS CHOPIN

OVERVIEW Born on March 1, 1810 in Zelazowa Wola, Poland. Died on October 17, 1849 in Paris, France. A Polish composer and one of the greatest virtuoso pianist of the Romantic Era. A renowned child-prodigy pianist and composer. Credited for originating the modern piano style.

EDUCATION He grew up in Warsaw in a musical family and was indulged in music, especially piano, at a young age. He received his earliest piano lessons from his sister Ludwika and his mother Justyna. He was professionally tutored from , although already a child-prodigy of the piano and often compared to Mozart. His most prevalent piano teacher was the renowned composer Józef Elsner who Chopin studied with for three years.

THE FAMED YEARS By 1830, the 20 year-old Chopin left Warsaw with his musical genius and settled in Paris. Chopin was now composing a new style of piano music known as “Preludes”, “Impromptus” and “Nocturnes.” These pieces were brand new to piano as songs went from long and complicated to short and lyrical. Here in Paris, Chopin took a fond liking to composing his new lyrical pieces in Salons which were small gathering places for artists used for the exhibition of works of art.

THE FAMED YEARS Chopin was now a name known all over Paris.