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Frédéric Chopin was born near Warsaw, Poland, in 1810. His father was from France but moved to Poland to be a tutor for the son of a countess. Chopin’s mother was a housekeeper and companion for the same countess. Frédéric had an older sister and two younger sisters. At age six, Chopin began taking piano lessons. By age seven, he was writing piano music and playing recitals at the homes of rich people. By age twelve, Chopin had learned everything his piano teacher could show him. He then went to the High School of Music, where he studied composition. In 1830, after he graduated from high school, Chopin took a trip to Vienna, Austria, but soon after he got there, war broke out back in Poland. Chopin missed his home, but he decided it would be better if he did not go back. To help his homesickness he composed piano pieces based on Polish dances: the Mazurka and the Polonaise. Chopin kept traveling until he reached Paris, France. Paris seemed like a good place for him, so he stayed. He made friends with other composers and musicians and soon became very popular. So many people wanted to study piano with Chopin that he was able to charge a high fee for lessons. Besides teaching, Chopin kept busy composing music for piano and playing piano recitals. He did not like playing in big concert halls. He enjoyed playing concerts for small groups in the homes of his friends. In 1838, Chopin fell in love with an extraordinary person, Aurore Dudevant. She was a famous French author, who wrote over sixty major works, including novels and plays. She would not have been taken seriously as a woman author by most people of her time, however, so she used the name George Sand. Sand also wore pants, which was unheard-of for women, and smoked cigars. Although Chopin and Sand were never married, they traveled together and lived near each other for nine years. Chopin’s health was never very good. He had breathing problems due to tuberculosis. After he and Sand broke up in 1847, his health soon failed. Chopin died in Paris in 1849. He was never able to return to Poland.
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Frédéric Chopin |
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George Sand |
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Waltz in D-flat major, Op. 64, No.1 ("Minute Waltz")The waltz is a dance that became very popular in Europe in the 1800's. Chopin wrote this waltz in 1846. George Sand said that seeing her little dog chasing its tail inspired Chopin to write this piece. Chopin himelf never mentioned any dog. He just said the music "should unroll like a ball of yarn". This waltz is nicknamed the "Minute Waltz", although it is closer to two minutes long. Chopin himself was often asked to play it, the London society ladies repeatedly exclaiming that it sounded "like water"-a phrase that annoyed the composer. |
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