Chopin Flashcards
Where and when was Chopin born and where did he grow up?
He was born in Zelazowa Wola, Poland in 1810 and grew up in Warsaw
What was Chopin’s family background?
His father played the flute and violin while his mother played the piano. At a young age, Chopin was already a remarkable pianist, even composing
Who was Chopin’s first piano teacher?
Wojciech Zywny who taught him the works of previous composers, and during the years he taught him he had already began writing polonaises
What further musical training did Chopin get?
Chopin attended the Warsaw Lyceum from 1823 to 1826 and attended the Warsaw conservatory from 1826 to 1829
How did folklore influence Chopin?
It made him more aware of more folk songs and influenced him to write many polonaises and mazurkas
When and why did Chopin move to Paris?
After 2 brief stays in Vienna, the November 29th uprising sparked stricter Russian control on Poland and it became no place for musicians, so in 1831 he moved to Paris
What did Chopin do in Paris?
He taught and preformed piano to members of the aristocracy and met many other famous composers such as Franz Liszt and Hector Berlioz. He also met Aurore Dudevant, who Chopin was unimpressed at at first but got together in 1837 and a relationship began. That winter, they went to Majorca, hoping that the sunshine would aid Chopin’s health. Even worse, they were forced to move to an abandoned monastery and he wrote a Raindrop prelude while he was displaying early signs of tuberculosis. This prelude was one of the 24 he would write in every key that showed his admiration for J S Bach, but he assembled them based on the circle of fifths instead of in increasing chromatic order
Where did Chopin spend his summers for 8 years and what happened to Dudevant?
He spent the summers in Dudevant’s summer home in Novant, but their relationship ended with quarrels over her children and political ideologies
What did Chopin do after the summers in Novant?
He went on a series of performances in England and Scotland, organized by his student Jane Sterling, but came back to Paris ill
Where and when did Chopin die?
Chopin died in 1849 in Paris, with his body being buried in Paris but his heart in Poland
What was Chopin’s musical style?
He wrote almost exclusively for piano, using a new harmonic language but was inspired by Polish folk songs, Bach’s counterpoint and Mozart’s lyricism. His melodic lines also follow the bel canto style from Italian operas
What contributions did Chopin make to music?
He explored new capabilities with the piano such as more lyricism and expressiveness than ever before
