Classic of the Romantic Period— Introduction to the legendary musician Frédéric Chopin
Written by: Jason Wu
Few names in classical music evoke the same as Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849): The Polish composer whose delicate touch and revolutionary artistry influenced and transformed the landscape of piano music for eternity. Born in Żelazowa Wola, Poland, Chopin displayed prodigious talent from childhood, composing his first works by the age of seven (Polonaise in G minor, 1817). He had already captivated audiences with his outstanding performances at a young age. By his early 20s (around 1830s), he settled in Paris, where he had already become a luminary and prestigious figure among artists of the Romantic period. He especially stood out among composers of that age, including Liszt, Tchaikovsky, and Schubert. His music at that time was the most well-composed, creating pieces such as Fantaisie-Impromptu (1834), Nocturnes Op. 9 (1832), Piano Concerto No. 1 (1830), and Op.10, 12 Etudes (1829–1832).
In his mid-20s, Chopin had just become a very famous piano teacher in Paris, where his lessons were in high demand. During this period, he created the intriguing 24 Preludes (1836–1839) and countless Mazurkas. He was still very healthy, and he seemed to have a promising future ahead of him. Unfortunately, that all changed in 1842 when he faced significant troubles with health issues like multiple acute, severe respiratory infections of both the upper and lower respiratory tracts. As quoted from his letter to Grzymała, his friend: “I have to lie in bed all day long, my mouth and tonsils are aching so much.” Both his psychological and physical state weren’t any better. Not to mention the threat from Poland’s greatest enemy, Russia, and his fear of the Romanovs invading his country worsening his condition. In 1844, Chopin’s friend described him as “hardly able to move, bent like a half-opened penknife and evidently in great pain.” Although he was suffering, Chopin still composed piano pieces and held many concerts. His representative works at that moment are Polonaise in A♭ major (1842, Op. 53) and 3 waltzes (1846–1847, op.64). Eventually, Chopin finished his last piece “Mazurka in F minor, Op. 68”, then died of tuberculosis.
Now that you’ve explored Chopin’s remarkable life, continue reading to discover some of his most celebrated and famous works:
Muzyka Chopina — Chopin’s famous pieces
Nocturnes, Op. 9: No. 2 in E-Flat Major
The beautiful piece “Nocturnes in E-flat major” is Chopin’s most well-known piece of music. The structure of the music is akin to an A-B-A coda form, and the melody is flowing, calm, and expressive. The word “dolce” means to play it “sweetly and in a more gentle quality”, which corresponds to the theme of “Nocturnes” as it is relatively calm and tranquil compared to other music composed by Chopin. The musical composition creates a peaceful nightscape, enhancing the feeling of serenity through its poetic beauty and deep expressiveness, making people fall in love with this piece seconds after listening to it.
Fantaisie impromptu in C# Minor
One of the works I performed years ago, Fantaisie-Impromptu, occupies an important place in Chopin’s work. The initial movement, Allegro agitato, is rather challenging, as the right hand’s staccato notes are in stark contrast to the triplet rhythm of the left hand. This obstinate interchange produces a feeling of urgency that even the most experienced pianists may find intimidating. The second movement, Moderato cantabile, changes to a softer and more melodic sound. In this, artists need to imbue the work with an unprecedented array of emotions as demanded by the work. These opposing segments render Fantaisie-Impromptu a wonderful piece for both performers and the audience.
Polonaise in A♭ major (Op. 53)
This polonaise highlights the dominant heroic theme in Chopin’s work, demonstrating his desire to infuse his music with this spirit, especially through invoking the aristocratic polonaise. In addition, this music is both a tribute and an expression of nostalgia for Chopin’s native country—Poland—by demonstrating its unbending spirit. This piece’s aesthetic and material qualities appeal strongly to listeners, making it a strong expression of his cultural identity and a continued icon of national pride. With every note, Chopin captures the spirit of determination and love for his country, further implying the theme of heroism.
In conclusion, although Chopin passed away, his musical legacy forever lingers with us. He will never be forgotten or disparaged. Franz List, another famous composer and a friend of Chopin said “The most vigorous applause seemed not to suffice to our enthusiasm in the presence of this talented musician (Chopin), who revealed a new phase of poetic sentiment combined with such happy innovations in the form of his art.” Anyhow, I hope you readers will have an even better understanding of Chopin after this article, and I will see you in the next one!
Works Cited:
Eliza. “Meet the Famous Friends of Franz Liszt: The Schumanns, Chopin, and More.” Interlude, 20 Nov. 2021, interlude.hk/franz-liszt-and-his-circle-of-friends/.
HALIDONMUSIC. “The Best of Chopin.” YouTube, 4 Mar. 2020, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn09UdSb3aA.
Wikipedia Contributors. “Frédéric Chopin.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 May 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric_Chopin.