Chopin: Musician Who Had Effect Romanticism Music Report

Introduction

At the beginning of the musical period known as Romanticism Frederic Chopin was born in Poland. Chopin would grow to be a major player in the musical world in Poland, France, and beyond. Success for a musician of that period was measured by whether or not your music was played after you died…and Chopin’s was.

Early Life

Frederic Chopin, born in 1810 near Warsaw Poland, was a musical child who began to study piano at age four. By the time he was 8 he had performed before an audience. His home life must have been a wonderfully interesting place as his father was French and his mother Polish. Although his songs were written in Polish, Chopin grew up speaking both French and Polish. He had a better command of Polish though because that was the primary language at home and in his early schooling. He also learned the universal language called music. He studied harmony and counterpoint at the Warsaw Conservatory (Funk&Wagnall, 2007). And, Chopin published his first composition at age seven.

Chopin’s parents were considered upper-class. His French speaking father was of distant Polish ancestry. When his father was young he chose Poland as his home. The older Chopin taught French. Chopin learned to play the piano from his sister. His mother also instructed him.

Chopin was known as the “Second Mozart” and “little Chopin” (World Encyclopedia, 2007). He was considered a child prodigy while he was young.

Romanticism

The period of time between 1810 and 1910 is commonly referred to as the period of Romanticism. Chopin grew up during this period and was influenced by other musicians of this period. The period of romanticism is described below:

“Extending the bounds of music beyond the restrictive formality of Classicism was the prime function of the musical period known as Romanticism. Formal concern, intellectuality and concise expression have now been augmented by sentiment, imagination and effect.” (Classical Net, 2007)

Other musicians of this period include Ludwig Von Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Joseph Haydn. Musicians that influenced Chopin included Italian Opera composer Vincenzo Bellini, Hector Berlioz, Felix Mendelssohn, and Charles-Valentine Alkan.

The Musician and Composer

Most of Chopin’s compositions were written for the piano. The piano was his chosen instrument and one that he mastered at a very young age. Chopin’s compositions were influenced by Polish folk music. Although he left Poland in 1831 he was a very loyal expatriate (Classical Net, 2007). In addition to frequenting Salons in Paris to play the piano Chopin spent his time penning compositions.

Chopin’s most famous works were written while he lived in Paris, France. He was famous for writing short, intense, pieces that lasted about a minute to minute and a half (Minute Walz). Other famous pieces include:

• Polonaise
• Funeral March
• Nocturne Op9. No. 2
• Revelutionary Etude (Op.10 No. 12)

Many of Chopin’s works were called Mazurkas. As stated earlier, Chopin was a loyal expatriate. His music reflects his love for Poland and Polish musical form. Mazurkas are music written for dance such as polka. Chopin’s Mazurkas were also used for ballet. Mazurkas are typically written in ¾ time or 3/8 time and have a heavily accented beat.

Chopin is considered the first person who wrote for the piano only and popularized performances where the piano was the center piece and only instrument played. Although he wrote mostly for the piano he also wrote for other instruments such as the Cello. Many of his works have been performed by the Seattle Philharmonic.

Conclusion

Chopin, and his music, are world famous. Many of his compositions are used by movie makers as connector music from one scene to the next. This composer who grew up in a musical world mastered his environment with piano and pen.

Chopin died at a young age (39) from tuberculosis. In his time there were no cures for tuberculosis except moving to a warmer environment. He often had trouble breathing and once was even declared dead by a French paper because he had been so sick.

Chopin is often written about as the companion to George Sand. Sand was the pen name of Parisian Amadine Aurore-Lucile Dupin. Sand was married by moved away from her husband. In Paris, at that time, divorce was illegal. So, when she and Chopin became a couple marriage was not an option. Chopin and Sand were a couple for about ten years. They broke up two years before his death from Tuberculosis. In the end it was his sister, who had been his first piano teacher, who took care of him up until his death.

Chopin had made a couple of requests before his death. He asked that his heart be removed because he was afraid of being buried alive. His sister took his heart in an urn back to Poland and it is currently sealed in a pillar at Holy Cross Church (World Encyclopedia, 2007). He also requested that Mozart’s Requiem be played at his funeral. The church would not initially allow it because female singers were required to sing parts. In the end the church gave in and the women were allowed to sing.

Chopin had a considerable affect on music during the romanticism period. One can only wonder how much more he would have contributed if he had lived a little bit longer. His music lives on in the form of a festival held in Warsaw, Poland once every five years. The last festival was held in August of 2006 and was titled “Chopin and His Europe”.

Works Cited

1. “Chopin, Frédéric (François) (Polish name Fryderyk Franciszek Szopen)” The New Zealand Oxford Dictionary. Tony Deverson. Oxford University Press 2004. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Boston Public Library. Web.
2. “Chopin, Fryderyk Frantizek” The Oxford Dictionary of Dance. Debra Craine and Judith Mackrell. Oxford University Press, 2000. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. OPLIN WebFeat. Web.
3. “Chopin, Frédéric François” World Encyclopedia. Philip’s, 2005. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. OPLIN WebFeat. 12 December 2007
4. “ Chopin, Fryderyk Franciszek ” The Oxford Companion to English Literature. Ed. Margaret Drabble. Oxford University Press, 2000. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. OPLIN WebFeat. Web.
5. “CHOPIN, Frédéric François.” (n.d.). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. 2007.
6. Classical Net. (1996-2007). Romanticism. Web.