Only known Photograph of Chopin

Chopin was born on 1 March, 1810 in Zelazowa Wola, a small village in Warsaw. He is known for his numerous romantic piano pieces and his piano etudes. He was regarded as a piano virtuoso at a young age, and when he later moved to Paris, he was a well-known piano teacher and composer.

Early Live

Chopin wouldn't take professional piano lessons until 1816, by Wojciech Zywny. Chopin as a young boy showed high potential, as he was able to absorb all things around him. He would get painted his first portrait when he was 19 years old. His beautiful music was adored by everyone, as he was known as a master.

In Paris

Chopin went to Paris in 1831. He very rarely gave public performances, and in his later years he gave maybe one per year. He usually performed at his estate with a close circle of friends, rather than a concert hall full of people. Chopin was always in poor health, being one major reason why he would never go on grande tours across Europe.

Chopin attended a party hosted by Franz Listz's mistress in 1836. This is where Chopin would meet the woman who would later steal his heart, George Sand. Chopin did not at first find her attractive and stated that "something about her repels [him]". It would be Sand who would pursue a further relationship.

Last Years

In 1845, Chopin's health further weakened, as well as the relationship between Sand and Chopin; and in 1847, the relationship that lasted 10 years would be over.

Chopin would give his last concert in 1858, Paris. He would flee to London to escape the French Revolution of 1848. He would give one last performance in London at a Polish Ball, Guildhall, he would return to Paris for his final months. In 1849, Jenny Lind, whom Chopin met a while before, wanted to marry him. It failed, however, and Lind left from the cholera epidemic in Paris. His final months in Paris were frail, as he was unable to perform anymore. On 17October, Chopin died of tuberculosis. Chopin's heart would be removed, as his fear of being buried alive.

Chopin's Hand

Chopin

Chopin lived a very short life. Always in frail health, he did not experience life's beauty to its full potential, though his music is viewed by many as some of the most beautiful. Several memorials and statues of this famed composer are found around the world, including Japan, China, France, and Poland.

His Music

Chopin is known worldwide for his fantastic etudes and polonaises. He never named his musical compositions past the genre and number, leaving the listener to be spellbound with the beautiful sound. Some of Chopin's most well-known pieces include: Fantaisie-Impromptu, Revolutionary Étude, his Minute Waltz, and his Raindrop Prelude. Chopin's style of music was adored by all, influenced many more well-known composers: Franz Listz, Robert Schumann and many more. He gave few public performances, leaving most of them for his private audiance. While in later in life, at his weakest, he performed publicly not at all.


Facts

Chopin's Grave Chopin's Deathmask Only known Photograph of Chopin
Chopin was buried at Paris' Père Lachaise Cemetery. His own Funeral March which he had composed was played at his funeral ceremony. When Chopin died, a mold of his head, as well as casts of his hands were created. This is the Only known photograph of the famed composer.