Contents
Frédéric Chopin
Transforming piano music through nocturnes, études, ballades and Polish-inspired dances.
Études, Op. 10 · Preludes, Op. 28
- Born
- 1810
- Birthplace
- Żelazowa Wola, Poland
- Died
- 17 October 1849
More people
Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric Chopin was a Polish composer and pianist who spent much of his adult life in Paris. Almost all his compositions place the piano at their centre.
Early life
Warsaw childhood
Grew up in Warsaw and attracted attention as a child pianist and composer.
Musical education
Studied with Józef Elsner before leaving Poland in 1830.
Career
- 1831
Paris settlement
Established himself among musicians and patrons in the French capital.
- 1830s–1840s
Teaching and composing
Supported himself through lessons, publications and selective performances, often in intimate salons.
- 1848
British visit
Travelled to Britain for concerts and private engagements as his health deteriorated.
Selected work
Études, Op. 10
Technical studies became fully expressive concert pieces.
Preludes, Op. 28
Twenty-four short works move through the major and minor keys.
Polonaise in A-flat major
A forceful piano work widely known as the Heroic Polonaise.
Beyond work
George Sand
Had a long relationship with the novelist, spending productive summers at her home in Nohant.
Two places of remembrance
Was buried in Paris; his heart was taken to Warsaw in accordance with his wishes.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Birth-date evidence — Chopin Society ↗Photo: Louis-Auguste Bisson. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
