Frederic Chopin - A Short Biographical Sketch

Frederic Chopin was a Polish composer. He was born on 3rd January 1810 and died young at the age of thirty nine on 17th October 1849. He sifted to Paris in his early years and had the opportunity to mingle in the artistic circles of early nineteenth century France. Chopin, in fact, went on to become the model of a musician in the Romantic Period. From his childhood days in Poland, he managed to retain the image of a bravura pianist when he frequented the salons in Warsaw. He improvised and played his initial compositions that were inspired by national rhythms and melodies. He was only eight years of age when he composed his first Mazurkas and Polonaises.He left Poland on account of the revolution. He gave proof of his genius to the world when he composed his first piano concerto and his Opus 10 Etudes, whom he dedicated to Franz Liszt, his ardent interpreter in later years. After gaining recognition in Austria and Germany, Chopin was given a warm welcome in France. He spent most of his remaining life in Paris. He died young, at thirty nine years age as a result of tuberculosis. Though he received great acclaim in Paris, Chopin always remained nostalgic about his days in Poland. He became a good friend of George Sand, Victor Hugo and Hector Berlioz. He is one of the pioneers of the Romantic movement and some of his compositions are iconic of this age. Some of his preludes, nocturnes, polonaises and scherzi are revolutionary. Chopin spent the last years of his life at the Chateau de Nohant. He wrote most of his mazurkas here and in Majorca. He died in the autumn of 1849. Schumann had once said about Chopin, "Hats off, gentlemen; a genius!"