Fryderyk Chopin A Brief History and Musical Accomplishments

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

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

Chopin History l l Fryderyk Chopin was born on March 1 st, 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

Chopin History l l 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 l Biggest illness was tuberculosis l His father and sister died of tuberculosis l Exposed to tuberculosis while they were young in Poland l

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

Chopin History l 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. l He was a Polish patriot. l Chopin enjoyed Paris, especially the Opera. l He lived an elegant life style. l www. dailypainters. com

Chopin History He disliked public performances. l Chopin preferred to play for small groups of friends. l He played publicly thirty times. l Chopin was the least publicly heard pianist of his time. l He earned his income mainly by teaching. l Chopin charged up to 20 francs per lesson, which supported his high standard of living. l

Chopin History l poietes. wordpress. com l l www. soller 1. com 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 l l l At the age of thirty Chopin’s health began to fail. He was often bedridden. He still continued to teach. 1. bp. blogspot. com

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

Chopin History bbc. co. uk en. wikipedia. org l l 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 Pere Lachasise Cemetery, in Paris.

Chopin History cbc. ca l l l Majority of Chopin’s music was written for the piano. There 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 l Ballade at the time was associated with French poetry. l Considered to be among the most technically difficult to perform. l Written for the piano as a solo instrument. l Inspired by Adam Mickiewicz. l

Ballade No 1 in G Minor, OP 23 l l 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 l http: //www. rhapsody. com/goto? rcid=tra. 12899170&artist. Id=art. 62105 l 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 theme 2: 37 Resolution of theme 2: 50 Second theme begins 4: 20 First them reintroduced 4: 30 Beginning of a series of crescendo’s l l l l l

Listening Guide Ballad No 1 l l l l 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 l l 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 l l l l l http: //www. rhapsody. com/goto? rcid=tra. 12899172&artist. Id=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 l l l l 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 l l l Szulc T. , Chopin In Paris, 1998, ISBN 0684 -82458 -2, p 9 Szulc T. , Chopin In Paris, 1998, ISBN 0684 -82458 -2, p 33 Szulc T. , Chopin In Paris, 1998, ISBN 0684 -82458 -2, p 19 Szulc T. , Chopin In Paris, 1998, ISBN 0684 -82458 -2, p 43 -44 Hedley Encyclopedia Britainica p 264