By: Kolton Elmer

 Born on March 1 st, 1810 In Warsaw, Poland  At age 7 he was compared with the childhood genius of Mozart.  He composed 2 pieces and they were both published during this time.  He later surpassed his teacher.  His home country was invaded by the Russians and he escaped to France.

 Chopin took lessons from Jozef Elsner  After he surpassed him in his abilities Wojciech Zywny became his new teacher  Chopin was still composing when he was being taught.

 Chopin debuted as a public artist when he was just 8 years old.  He detested playing in front of people.  Only performed 7 times in poland ◦ Immediate income ◦ Necessary for his career.  He usually played in small group settings with people he knew well

 Chopin created a total of 230 surviving manuscripts. ◦ •2 concertos for piano and orchestra, Opp. 11 and 21 •27 études (twelve in the Op. 10 cycle, twelve in the Op. 25 cycle, and three in 58 mazurkas •a collection without an opus number) •26 preludes •20 waltzes •17 polonaises (orchestral accompaniment) •17 polonaises (cello with accompanying piano) •21 nocturnes •5 rondos •4 ballades •4 impromptus •4 scherzos •4 sets of variations •3 piano sonatas, Opp. 4, 35, and 58 •3 écossaises  He was the only composer to only compose for the piano.

 Romantic Era composer=very expressive and emotional pieces of music  Influential people ◦ George Sand  When George sand became his “muse” he composed “Raindrop” Prelude, Op.28, No.15, the polonaise militaire, Op.40, No.105, and the “Minute Waltz, Op. 64, No.1”

 Chopin died of pulmonary tuberculosis  He was buried in the Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris  He only lived to be 39 years old  Ludwika Jedrzejewiczowa (chopin’s sister was there when her brother died.)

 When Chopin died his heart was removed, preserved in alcohol, and put inside a church pillar in France.  He was very patriotic and always carried with him a jar of polish soil which was sprinkled onto his grave at his burial.  He was good friends with Franz Liszt and other romantic era composers  After one of his performances his mother asked what he thought the aristocracy best liked about his performance his reply was, “My English collar.”

 Chopin invented popular musical forms such as the ballade and was also a leader in innovations in the forms of the piano sonata, mazurka, waltz, noctume, etude, impromptu and prelude.  There is only one known photograph of Chopin. It was taken in 1849 in Bisson in the same year that he died.  Chopin’s heart was taken from his body after death and was brought by his sister to Warsaw where it was placed in an urn installed in a pillar of the Holy Cross church in Krakowskie Przedmiscie.

◦ Libbey, T. (2012). nprmusic.org. Retrieved fromnprmusic.org -life-and-music-of-frederic-chopin ◦ Barbara, S. (2009). OurChopin.com, Retrieved from, ◦ Tallon, G. (2009). Retrieved fromwww.articlesbase.com entertainment-articles/9-things-you-might- not-know-about-frederic-chopin html ◦ Szulc, T. (1998). Chopin in Paris: publised by "a lisa drew book. ◦ Montomery/Hinson. Greatest composers. N.p.