Frédéric Chopin
Knew His Instrument

Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola in 1810 and died in Paris in 1849. His piano lessons began in 1817 with Zywny, and his theory tutoring had begun in 1822 by Joseph Elsner. By 1825, his first officially published work was his Rondo in C minor.

Landmarks in Chopin’s career include the writing and performing of his two piano concertos (1829-1830) and his arrival in Paris in 1831, where he met many important composers and individuals including Schumann and novelist George Sand, whom he lived with from 1838-1847.

Chopin was an amazing composer for the piano, deriving inspiration from many sources including Italian opera (seen in his use of ornamentation) and his Polish background (as seen in the flavor of his polonaises and mazurkas).

An Amazing Chopin Fact

With all of the romance surrounding the titles and circumstances of Chopin’s music, it may come as a surprise that Chopin himself thought of his compositions as absolute music (not programmatic or picturesque).

Piano Music | Chamber Classical Music | Inspirational Orchestral Music | Classical Composers | Name That Music | Free Composition and Piano Lessons | Piano Music Notes | Learn Music Theory | Finale Music Writing Software | Composing Music to Films | Writing Classical Score | List of Instruments | Music Sound Recording Studios | Multitrack Recording Process | Music Mixing Advice