Frederic Chopin“The Poet of the Piano”

1810-1849

Frederic ChopinRomantic era composer from Poland

Learn about the Composer

About the composer

Chopin was known as one of the best pianists of his time.

Born in Poland

Was a child prodigy – played piano and composed at age 6! Started giving concerts at age 7!

Moved to Paris when he was 21.

Taught piano and sold his compositions.

Only composed music for piano.

Chopin was very unhealthy; he died at age 39.

Chopin’s travels

Born in Poland, traveled to the UK and Austria, then moved to France.

Cool Facts:

Chopin dated a girl who called herself “George.” She was a

famous writer.

He was friends with another famous composer, Franz, Liszt

He preferred to play in people’s homes rather than concert

halls because he liked to play quietly.

There is only one photograph of Chopin, the one you just

saw!

Chopin was so important that someone made a replica of

his hand!

He played the piano for the Tzar of Russia when he was 15.

The Tzar liked it so much that he gave Chopin a diamond

ring.

About Chopin’s music

It is emotional and expressive

He wrote his own “warm-ups” called etudes to help him exercise his

fingers and strengthen his piano skills.

Much of his music is very beautiful. However, some of it can be

angry-sounding as well.

Technically difficult

Often played with “rubato” – a stretching and speeding up of the

tempo to express emotion

Liberal use of the damper pedal

Types of Compositions by Chopin

Etude – a piano practice piece or “study”

Waltz – a dance piece in triple meter

Prelude – an introductory work or independent piece

Mazurka – a fast Polish folk dance with unique rhythms

Polonaise – a stately Polish dance in ¾ time

Concertos – a solo piece accompanied by orchestra

Sonata – a solo piece in three movements

Etude, Op. 10, No. 12

“Revolutionary”

When Chopin wrote this piece in 1831, his homeland Poland tried to rise up

and break free from the Russian rule over it.

This revolution failed and was eventually crushed by the Russian army.

Chopin said about it, "All this has caused me much pain. Who could have

foreseen it!"

Etude is a French word that means a "study". It is a short piece that is

meant for an exercise.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Prelude in E minor

Click here to listen.

How does this piece make you feel?

Chopin’s “Minute” Waltz

Click here to listen.

The "Minute Waltz" is a very famous and playful, short piece.

The word "minute" here means "tiny", not a time measure.

This piece is NOT meant to be played within one minute of time!

Chopin got inspired to write this little waltz as he was watching a small dog chase

its tail.

Vocabulary Words

Damper Pedal: a pedal on the piano that sustains the sound when it is pressed. It is the pedal on the right.

Prelude: an introductory work OR independent piece

Waltz: a dance piece in triple meter

Etude: a “practice” piece or “study”

Rubato: stretching or rushing the tempo in order to express emotion

Polonaise: a stately Polish dance in ¾ time

Lento: a slow, sad-sounding tempo

Dolce: sweet-sounding

Allegro con fuoco: Fast and fiery

Espressivo: expressively, with lots of emotion

Nocturne: a musical piece inspired by the night

“

”

Sometimes I can only groan, and

suffer, and pour out my despair at

the piano!

--FREDERIC CHOPIN

The End