R OMANTIC C OMPOSERS 2

F RÉDÉRIC C HOPIN 1810 – 1849 Was a Polish composer, virtuoso pianist, and music teacher.

Wrote only for the piano Most of Chopin’s major works were completed and consisted mostly of mazurkas (1) and nocturnes (2). (1) A Polish folk dance, usually with a lively tempo, (2) An ensemble piece normally played for an evening gathering that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night.

W ORKS Revolutionary Étude Minute Waltz Funeral March sonata mazurka

F ELIX M ENDELSSOHN 1809 –1847 German composer child prodigy A prolific composer as a child, wrote his first published work, a piano quartet, by the time he was thirteen. Mendelssohn's personal life was fairly conventional compared to many composers of note. He was happily married and had four children. He performed as a pianist, organist and conductor in Germany as well as in England where his music was especially popular.

In 1842, Mendelssohn wrote incidental music (1) for the Shakespeare play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, including the famous Wedding March that is played as the recessional at many weddings. Wedding March (1) music in a play, television program, radio program, video game, film or some other form not primarily musical (background music)

WORKS Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, op. 25 The Hebrides The Hebrides aka Fingal's Cave Violin Concerto in E Minor, op. 64

W ILHELM R ICHARD W AGNER 1813 –1883