Frederic chopin

Question 1

dates

Answer 1

1810-1849

Question 2

family background

Answer 2

father was born in France and emigrated to polio, worked as a French tutor. mother was polish.

Question 3

where was he born?

Answer 3

zelazowa wola, poland, family later moved to Warsaw.

Question 4

early musical talents

Answer 4

child prodigy, gave first concert at age six, published first work at age seven. began lessons with Jozef elsner in early teens.

Question 5

in Warsaw, he played in salons of ___ aristocrats

Answer 5

polish

Question 6

plagued by frail ____ and delicate constitution throughout childhood and youth

Answer 6

health

Question 7

where was he when Warsaw was invaded by Russian forces?

Answer 7

Vienna while he was on an extended concert tour. settled in Paris and did not return to Poland because of political unrest.

Question 8

important people he met in Paris

Answer 8

franz Liszt, hector Berlioz, Eugene Delacroix, victor Hugo, Heinrich Heine

Question 9

what was his primary form of income in Paris?

Answer 9

teaching members of aristocracy and published piano compositions, performed few public recitals.

Question 10

romantic interests

Answer 10

a brief engagement to Maria Wodzinska, parents considered him unsuitable because of his health, had a ten year love affair with Aurore Dudevant, a novelist under the name George Sand.

Question 11

death

Answer 11

died October 17,1849 at 39 surrounded by friends and admirers. buried at pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, his heart was returned to Poland.

Question 12

wrote almost exclusively for

Answer 12

piano or piano with voice or instruments

Question 13

melodic lines have vocal qualities inspired by the ___ style in opera

Answer 13

bel canto

Question 14

explored a new harmonic language…

Answer 14

chromaticism, unexpected modulations, unusual juxtapositions, modal inflections

Question 15

was he original and innovative or basic?

Answer 15

innovative, ex. unusual spacing of chords, sweeping arpeggiation, expanded range

Question 16

how did he exploit the capabilities of the piano?

Answer 16

employed greater virtuosity in response to technological advances, for example, the cast iron frame that allowed for thicker strings to produce a fuller tone.

Question 17

musical ____ expressed through polish dances including polonaises, mazurkas and krakowiaks

Answer 17

nationalism

Question 18

influenced by

Answer 18

Bach’s counterpoint, Mozart’s lyricism, Bellini and Donizetti’s bel canto style.

Question 19

genres

Answer 19

piano, orchestral with piano, chamber, songs