Frédéric Chopin

Question 1

Information About Him (13)

Answer 1

• (1810-1849)
• father was French, mother was Polish
• born in Zélazowa Wola, Poland
• spent his younger years in Warsaw
• child prodigy
• studied at the Warsaw Conservatory
• Polish aristocrats became his patrons
• worked as a composer and pianist in Warsaw but settled in Paris in 1830
• went on concert tours
• his primary sources of income were teaching members of the aristocracy and publishing piano works
• struggled with poor health
• his main relationship was with Aurore Dudevant (pen name: George Sand), with her for 11 years
• buried in a Paris cemetery but heart was taken to Warsaw

Question 2

His Style and Contributions (6)

Answer 2

• wrote extensively for the piano
• used new piano figurations and virtuosity
• etudes were very demanding
• had chromaticism and modulations
• musical nationalism in Mazurka and Polonaise
• piano works: Berceuse, Barcarolle, Fantaisie in F Minor
• piano and orchestra: Krakowiak

Question 3

Important Work: Polonaise in A-flat Major (9)

Answer 3

• written in 1842
• has an introduction, then ABA, then coda
• in 3/4 time
• marked maestoso
• introduction: uses chromatic, first-inversion chords and sequences
• section A: uses polonaise rhythms, LH plays octaves, RH has thirds and ornaments
• B: in E major, LH has staccato octaves, RH has dotted rhythms and chords, dramatic shift to D-sharp major
• A: shortened
• coda: based on section A, ends with unusual progression (I → maj 3 chord → V7 → I)