BY MINDY WALKER Frédéric François Chopin “Second Mozart”

A Legend is Born Born March 1, 1810 Nick name Frycek Born unto Nicholas and Justyna Wrote his first composition on the piano by the age of seven

Nicholas Chopin (father) Emigrates to Poland Chopin is the second oldest child Has older sister Ludwika Two younger sisters named Izabela and Emilia

Piano Talent Goes Further Chopin’s mother teaches him the basics on the piano Realizes the potential Chopin has Family puts Chopin in professional lessons Passes piano teacher in talent Allows imagination and fingers to do all the work

The Second Mozart Age ten Chopin was given the name, “Second Mozart” Age 14 began to compose Mazurka in A minor which is titled The Jewish Wojech Zywny gives lessons to Chopin from the ages of Beginning of knowing Chopin was going to make history

Moves the Family to France Age 19 begins performing solos in Warsaw Plays two concertos with pride Russians invade Poland pushing his family to Paris, France

Franz Liszt Chopin considered a French composer now Meets Franz Liszt in France Become composer partners Eventually become rivals and go their separate ways

A New Love Age 26 Chopin’s wedding engagement is called off Meets George Sand and may have been the reason for the break up Sand has children who accompany her and Chopin

Past Becomes Present Begins feeling effects of asthma and tuberculosis that he was diagnosed with at a young age Sand is a smoker and attends parties that could affect Chopin May have been the reason for Chopin and Sand to break up to obtain a smoke- free environment

The Long Stretch of His Career Age 35 tuberculosis takes a toll on Chopin Begins feeling weak and sickness gets worse Still performs in Paris and London Continues writing music Understands his illness is going to take away his career or even his life

Funeral Planning Age 38 in the month of February Chopin becomes even more ill Starts planning funeral services Wants body opened up and heart cut out when he passes Didn’t want to be buried underground and had his heart sent in an urn back to Warsaw, Poland Mozart’s composition, Requiem to be played Chopin’s own composition named Suffocation or also known as Prelude in E-Minor (Op. 28, No. 4) to be played as well

The Last of Frédéric Chopin October 17, 1849 Frédéric François Chopin loses battle to his illness Funeral isn’t until October 30, 1849 Held at Church of Madeleine

Prelude in E-Minor (Op.28, No.4) Composed this piece around the age of 20 Most memorable composition Darker piece that may have been written describing the way he felt Also known as Suffocation Played at his funeral

Nocturne in E-Flat Major (Op.9, No.2) Published in 1833 Romantic song Most popular from one of three sets of Nocturnes Influence may have been directed to a piano manufacture’s wife

Prelude Op.28, No.15 Composed in 1838 in Vallemossa, Majorca Also known as Raindrops Had a vision while playing the piano in a monastery

Suffocation (2:43) Largo tempo then cut in half after 2:25 into the piece Pianissimo throughout Timbre is cold and sad Form shows repetition Melody is conjunct and in E-minor Overall a very sad and soft composition

Nocturne in E-Flat Major (4:30) Andante tempo Form is repetitive and shows contrast Rhythm is medium fast, smooth and upbeat Melody is in major Feeling as if a butterfly is fluttering, lands, flies and lands again Timbre is higher octaves and sounds peaceful Texture is soft and slow movement to your ears Uses of mezzo forte, forte and pianissimo

Raindrops (6:25) Tempo in adagio Movements with single left hand and alternating with single right hand movements Texture is smooth and soft Timbre is peaceful and continuous Melody contour is arch Harmony is consonance Pianissimo, mezzo forte and forte used Feeling as if a rainstorm is happening

Bibliography Huneker, James. Chopin: The Man and His Music. The Floating Press, Sanchez, Juan Jose. Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No Setember Shelokhonov, Steve. Frédéric Chopin Biography Yu, Fred. Our Chopin. 12 October February 2014.