Frédéric Chopin

NAME Frédéric François Chopin (originally Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Chopin is renowned as one of the greatest Romantic-era composers and virtuoso pianists. He is particularly famous for his piano compositions, including nocturnes, études, ballades, polonaises, and mazurkas.

BIRTH Born on March 1, 1810, in Żelazowa Wola, Poland.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Chopin's father, Nicolas Chopin, was a French émigré who settled in Poland and worked as a teacher. His mother, Justyna Krzyżanowska, was of Polish nobility, though her family had fallen on hard times. He had three sisters: Ludwika, Izabela, and Emilia.

CHILDHOOD Chopin's early years were spent in Żelazowa Wola, a small village near Warsaw. His mother, who was a talented pianist, gave him his first music lessons.

Chopin's birthplace in Żelazowa Wola Image taken by Mathiasrex, Maciej Szczepańczyk

Chopin started piano lessons at age 4 with his older sister Ludwika. His early talent rivaled that of Mozart, and at the age of seven, he had already penned two polonaises (in G minor and B-flat major). His prodigious skills quickly garnered attention, and 'little Chopin' became a sought-after performer at aristocratic salons in Warsaw. He also began giving charity concerts. When asked at one such concert what he thought the audience enjoyed most, the seven-year-old replied with a touch of humor, 'My shirt collar.'

EDUCATION At age 6, Chopin began formal piano studies with Wojciech Żywny, a respected Polish pianist and composer. Żywny recognized Chopin's prodigious talent early on and allowed him to develop his own unique approach to the piano without being constrained by rigid academic rules. His tutelage lasted from 1816 until 1822, when Żywny was no longer able to give any more help to the pupil whose skills surpassed his own. 

From 1823 to 1826, Chopin attended the Warsaw Lyceum, where he received his general education. His father Nicholas was a French teacher at this school.

At age 16, Chopin enrolled at the newly formed Warsaw Conservatory of Music. There he studied under Polish composer Józef Elsner, who was the director of the conservatory. Elsner provided Chopin with a solid foundation in harmony and composition.

While insisting on traditional training, Elsner recognized Chopin's unique imagination and did not stifle his creativity with purely academic demands. In piano playing, Elsner allowed Chopin to develop a high degree of individuality.

CAREER RECORD Chopin's career flourished in Paris, where he moved in 1831. He performed at salons for aristocrats and composed almost exclusively for piano. Though he disliked large concerts, his intimate performances at private gatherings made him a sought-after figure in the Parisian music scene.

APPEARANCE Chopin was described as frail and of slight build, with delicate features, pale skin, aquiline nose and expressive, deep-set eyes. His health was fragile throughout his life.

Chopin at 25, by his fiancée Maria Wodzińska, 1835

FASHION Chopin dressed elegantly, favoring the refined, fashionable styles of Parisian high society. He was often seen in tailored suits and well-groomed attire, which reflected his artistic sensibility.

CHARACTER Chopin was sensitive, introverted, and private. His personality was refined, and he valued elegance in both music and manner. He had a melancholic nature, likely due in part to his poor health.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Chopin was not only a great musician but also a great humorist. He loved playing practical jokes as well as finding humor in the mundane. He once quipped: "There is no need for me to shave the left side of my face when performing — the public won't see it anyway!"

RELATIONSHIPS In 1836, Chopin became secretly engaged to Maria Wodzinska, a seventeen-year-old Polish girl. Count Wincenty Wodzinski, Maria's father, strongly opposed the match, deeming Chopin sickly, ambitious, and of low social standing. Chopin, known for his gentle nature, did not contest the father's objections. Instead, he preserved Maria's letters, tied together with a ribbon and labeled 'Moj Bieda' (My Sorrow), until his death. The engagement was eventually called off.

That same year, at a party hosted by Countess Marie d'Agoult, the mistress of fellow composer Franz Liszt, Chopin met Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin, Baroness Dudevant, better known by her pseudonym, George Sand. A renowned French Romantic writer, Sand was known for her numerous high-profile love affairs, including those with Prosper Merimée, Alfred de Musset, and Alexandre Manceau. Introduced by Liszt, Sand developed a deep appreciation for Chopin's music.   

Sand, a petite, dark-haired woman with a reputation for unconventional behavior, defied traditional gender roles by wearing trousers, smoking cigars, and adopting a masculine pseudonym. Her refusal to conform to societal expectations of womanhood contributed to the women's rights movement. A passionate advocate for radical socialism, Sand was six years older than Chopin. Chopin initially found Sand unattractive, confiding to his family that "something about her repels me."

By the end of June 1838 they had become lovers. Sand affectionately referred to him as "Fryk-Fryk" and "Chip Chip." Their relationship endured until 1847 when a family quarrel between Sand and her children led to their separation. Their eventual breakup may have been influenced by Sand's growing suspicion that Chopin had developed feelings for her daughter, Solange. 

 Chopin maintained friendships with Liszt, Victor Hugo, and Rossini.

MONEY AND FAME Upon graduating from the Warsaw Conservatoire at the age of seventeen, Chopin was hailed as the foremost pianist in Warsaw and a promising composer. 

Chopin achieved both fame and relative financial success in Paris, primarily through teaching piano to the aristocracy and publishing his compositions. However, his fragile health limited his ability to give large-scale concerts, which could have provided more income.

Chopin gave only about 30 public performances in his lifetime, preferring "the more intimate atmosphere of the salon

FOOD AND DRINK Chopin had a delicate appetite due to his health issues and consumed simple, light meals. His poor digestion limited his diet, and he preferred mild food and drink.

MUSIC AND ARTS Chopin's music was deeply influenced by Polish folk music, as well as the works of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. He revolutionized piano composition, bringing an emotional and poetic depth to his works. His pieces remain staples of the classical piano repertoire.

Chopin's music was deeply influenced by Polish folk themes. A virtuoso pianist, Chopin's compositions primarily focused on pianoforte music, distinguished by its innovative harmonies and rhythmic foundations rooted in Polish national dances. Renowned for his delicate touch, refined technique, and masterful interpretation, Chopin is often considered one of the greatest pianists of all time. His performances were always highly entertaining, offering more than just music.

Chopin was meticulous about the physical appearance of his manuscripts. Once, he lent a score to a friend who used white gloves to turn the pages. Upon receiving the manuscript back unmarked, Chopin expressed his displeasure, remarking, "My dear fellow, you were smoking while you read it."

Chopin's extensive published works include 55 mazurkas, 27 études, 24 preludes, 19 nocturnes, 13 polonaises, and 3 piano sonatas. The Grand Polonaise (Polonaise à la Polonaise), composed between 1830 and 1831, was a product of his frustration with unsuccessful concerts. 

Chopin composed his Étude Op. 10, No. 5 in G-flat major, commonly known as the "Black Key Étude", in 1830. This étude is nicknamed the "Black Key" étude because the right hand plays almost exclusively on the black keys of the piano, with the exception of one F natural note in measure 66. It's characterized by rapid triplet figurations in the right hand accompanied by staccato chords and octaves in the left hand.

Despite its popularity among pianists and audiences, Chopin himself did not consider it his most interesting étude. In a letter to his friend Julian Fontana in 1839, he expressed surprise that Clara Wieck had chosen to play this particular étude, calling it "the least interesting for those who do not know that it is intended for the black keys"

Étude Op. 10, No. 3 in E major by Frédéric Chopin is one of his most famous and beloved compositions. It was composed in 1832 and first published in 1833 as part of Chopin's Études Op. 10 set. While not given by Chopin himself, this étude is often called "Tristesse" (Sadness) or "L'Adieu" (Farewell). It has a nostalgic, wistful tone that some associate with Chopin's love for his homeland, Poland.

Chopin's Funeral March is part of the third movement of his Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35. The Funeral March was composed in 1837, about two years before Chopin completed the rest of the sonata (1839). It has been widely used in popular culture and has become an archetypal evocation of death. It's been performed at numerous funerals worldwide, including Chopin's own

During the winter of 1838-1839, while staying on the island of Majorca with George Sand, he composed the 24 preludes, dedicated to his friend, the piano maker Camille Pleyel. 

Chopin composed two nocturnes in F minor and E-flat major, Opus 55, between 1842 and 1844, and dedicated them to Jane Stirling. Jane Stirling was a student and close friend of Chopin. She became his pupil around 1842-1843 and went on to provide significant support to Chopin in his later years, both financially and in preserving his legacy after his death. While Chopin dedicated these nocturnes to her, their relationship remained that of teacher and devoted student/patron, rather than a romantic one

In 1846-1847, Chopin composed the Waltz in C Sharp, dedicated to Baroness Rothschild, during his breakup with George Sand.

The Minute Waltz, also known as Waltz in D Flat Opus 64 No. 1 was composed by Chopin in 1847. It typically lasts two minutes but can be performed in a shorter duration at 78 RPM. It's also the theme to the BBC radio program Just a Minute.

After arriving in Vienna, Chopin observed the local preference for waltzes and responded by composing his own Viennese Whirls. 

Despite defying illness to give his final performance at London's Guildhall in 1848, many audience members chose to remain in the bar.

Chopin once remarked, "Nothing is more odious than music without hidden meaning."

Chopin's primary focus was on music, but he also had an appreciation for other forms of art. He was known to be a collector of paintings and sculptures.

LITERATURE Chopin was a voracious reader and had a particular interest in poetry and philosophy. He was especially fond of the works of his contemporaries, including George Sand (whom he was romantically involved with).

NATURE Chopin found solace in the countryside and enjoyed the natural beauty of Majorca and Nohant, where he spent time with George Sand. His delicate health, however, prevented him from being overly active in nature.

PETS Chopin had a pet dog named "Poni," whom he loved dearly.

He lived among animals at Sand’s estate in Nohant, where she kept various pets.

The "Cat's Waltz" (Waltz in F Major, Op. 34 No. 3):

There is a story that Chopin was inspired to write The "Cat's Waltz" (Waltz in F Major, Op. 34 No. 3) by George Sand's cat, Valdeck, running across the piano keys. Some people hear parts of the waltz that sound like a cat scampering across keys, but this is subjective.

There is a story that Chopin wrote The "Dog Waltz" (Minute Waltz, Op. 64 No. 1): after watching George Sand's dog, Marquis, chasing its tail. The story goes that Sand challenged Chopin to compose a piece inspired by the dog's behavior. This piece is sometimes nicknamed the "Little Dog Waltz."

Chopin did compose a piece called "Gallop Marquis" that was definitely inspired by Sand's dog Marquis. The manuscript for this piece has Marquis' name on it, confirming the connectio

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Chopin's primary hobby was music, but he was also known to enjoy reading, walking, and socializing with friends.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Chopin was interested in philosophy and theology. He was known to have read widely on these subjects.

He was a devout Catholic and his faith played a quiet but important role in his life, particularly as he faced illness.

POLITICS Chopin was patriotic and deeply moved by the political struggles in Poland, particularly the November Uprising of 1830. Though he never engaged in direct political activism, his music, particularly the polonaises, expressed a deep sense of Polish national identity.

SCANDAL Chopin’s relationship with George Sand was considered scandalous at the time due to Sand's unconventional lifestyle and status as a divorced woman. Their romance, filled with artistic passion and eventual heartbreak, was a source of gossip in Parisian society.

MILITARY RECORD Chopin did not serve in the military, but he was affected by the political and military struggles in Poland, particularly the November Uprising against Russian rule.

Nicolas Chopin (Frédéric's father) moved to Poland to avoid conscription into the French revolutionary army. 

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Chopin suffered from poor health throughout his life. His arrival in Paris in 1831 coincided with the Russian capture of Warsaw. The traumatic news triggered a fever and nervous crisis. 

In 1838, Chopin began to suffer from tuberculosis. George Sand nursed him through this debilitating illness. However. his fragile constitution worsened in his later years, limiting his public performances and travel.

Following  Chopin's breakup with George Sand, a combination of depression, reduced finances, and the ongoing effects of tuberculosis led to a significant decline in his health, culminating in his death within a few years

HOMES Several months after Chopin's birth, his family relocated to Warsaw. His departure from the city coincided with the unsuccessful Polish uprising against Russian rule, leading him to join a group of Polish exiles. Beginning in 1831, he made his home in Paris. The Russian capture of Warsaw, which occurred during one of Chopin's concert tours, influenced his decision to remain in Paris. He resided in an apartment on Rue de la Chaussée d'Antin.

He also spent time in Nohant, at George Sand’s countryside estate, and briefly in Majorca.

TRAVEL Chopin traveled for his music, visiting cities like Vienna, London, and various parts of France. 

In the winter of 1838-1839, George Sand accompanied Chopin to Majorca for his health. Unfortunately, their time on Majorca was marked by a turbulent and miserable winter spent in unheated peasant huts and the abandoned Valldemossa monastery. Chopin later lamented the arduous process of acquiring a piano from Paris and transporting it uphill to the monastery. The harsh weather significantly impacted Chopin's health and chronic lung disease, forcing him and Sand to return to Paris to save his life.

During a month-long stay at 4 St. James's Palace in London in 1848, Chopin gave the final public concert of his life at the Guildhall to benefit Polish refugees. He had embarked on a concert tour of England and Scotland, falling ill upon his return..

DEATH Chopin succumbed to tuberculosis on October 17, 1849, at his residence on Place Vendôme in Paris. His final wish was to have Polish soil sprinkled over his grave.

A shrine commemorating Chopin stands in his home village. In Warsaw's Lazienki Park, a stone statue of him sits beneath a willow tree near a pond. His heart is interred at the Church of the Holy Cross.

Chopin had requested that Mozart's Requiem be performed at his funeral, which took place at the Church of the Madeleine. The funeral was attended by nearly three thousand mourners. However, the Madeleine had a longstanding policy of not allowing female singers in its choir, which posed a challenge as the Requiem features prominent roles for female voices. After a two-week delay caused by heated debate, the church finally granted Chopin's final wish.

While Chopin is buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, his heart is entombed in a pillar at the Church of the Holy Cross in Warsaw.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Chopin has been portrayed in numerous films, television series, and books, often focusing on his music, relationships, and struggles with illness. His romance with George Sand has been a popular subject for biographical retellings.

1945: A Song to Remember - Cornel Wilde portrays Chopin in this film, which explores his romantic relationship with George Sand (Judy Davis). It earned Cornel Wilde an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor for his portrayal of the composer.

1991: Impromptu - Hugh Grant plays Chopin in this film about his romance with George Sand (Judy Davis). The film depicts their passionate relationship.

1945 Perry Como topped the US charts with "Till the End of Time," a song based on Chopin's Polonaise in A-flat Major. 

1971 "Could It Be Magic" by Barry Manilow, Donna Summer and Take That were inspired by Chopin's Prelude in C Major.

ACHIEVEMENTS Chopin is considered one of the greatest pianists and composers of all time. His innovative approach to piano music, blending technical brilliance with emotional expression, had a profound influence on later composers like Liszt, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff. His works are standard pieces in the classical piano repertoire today.

Oscar Wilde famously remarked, "After playing Chopin, I feel as if I had been weeping over sins that I had never committed."

Sources Book of Lists 2, Chronicle of the World, The Faber Book of Anecdotes,