Frederic Chopin

Frederic Chopin was a Polish composer born in 1810. He is one of the greatest piano composers ever. Almost all of his music was written just for the piano. His pieces are full of emotion, from gentle and dreamy to fast and fiery. Chopin moved to Paris, France, as a young man and became famous for his brilliant piano playing. His music sounds like the piano is singing, laughing, or crying.

The Poet of the Piano

Chopin was called the Poet of the Piano because his music was so expressive. He wrote many different types of piano pieces. His nocturnes are gentle, dreamy pieces meant for nighttime. His waltzes are elegant dances. His polonaises and mazurkas are based on Polish folk dances and show his love for Poland. His Minute Waltz is a fun, fast piece that whirls by in about two minutes despite its name.

A Short but Brilliant Life

Chopin was a child prodigy who played his first public concert at age seven. He moved to Paris when he was 21 and never went back to Poland. He became friends with other famous artists and writers. Chopin preferred small, private concerts over big public ones. Sadly, he was often sick with a lung disease. He died when he was only 39. But in his short life, he wrote some of the most beautiful piano music ever created.

Fun Facts

• Chopin gave his first public concert at age seven, and the audience loved him.
• Despite its name, Chopin's Minute Waltz actually takes about two minutes to play. The name comes from the word minute meaning small.
• Chopin loved Poland so much that when he died in Paris, his heart was sent back to Warsaw in a jar.

Did You Know?

Chopin's heart was preserved and brought to a church in Warsaw, Poland, where it remains today, more than 170 years after his death!