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Frederic Chopin is one of the better known composers of the classical era, with compositions such as his “Minute Waltz” and the “Funeral March” making him world famous. We all know a Chopin piece when we hear it ? even if some of us do not recognise the composer!

Here are a few things that you might not know about Chopin:

1. What Did He Look Like?

There is only one known photograph of Chopin. It was taken in 1849 in Bisson in the same year that he died. You can view that photograph here: http://www.er.uqam.ca/merlin/ga991424/images/compositeurs/Chopin.jpg

2. Chopin The Inventor

Chopin invented popular musical forms such as the ballade and was also a leader in innovations in the forms of the piano sonata, mazurka, waltz, noctume, etude, impromptu and prelude.

3. A Polish Birth

Chopin was born in 1810 in the village of Zelazowa Wola near Warsaw, Poland to a French father and Polish mother. He left Poland in 1830 during the “Great Immigration” following the suppression of the Polish in the November Uprising.

4. Polish Origins But a French Name

Chopin is reported to have remained a Polish patriot, however in order to rely on using Russian documentation, he performed under a French name. Later in life, he even adopted French nationality.

5. A Child Prodigy

Chopin received his first piano tuition at the age of 6, although he had already been playing piano and had previously received help from his older sister Ludwika. He received tuition from the respected Wojciech Zywny. He soon out-grew his tutor, and started public performances which drew comments and comparisons with Beethoven, and particularly with Mozart as a child.

6. Royal Fans

At around the age of 11, Chopin performed for Tzar Alexander I of Russia during an opening of the Polish parliament. He was later invited to the Belweder Palace as a “playmate” of the Russian Polish ruler Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich of Russia. He was also a summer guest of Prince Antoni Radziwill.

7. Chopin’s Works

Chopin wrote many pieces, with the manuscripts of over 230 surviving. These works include such popular pieces as:
Chopin wrote many pieces, with the manuscripts of over 230 surviving. These works include such popular pieces as:
•2 concertos for piano and orchestra, Opp. 11 and 21
•27 études (twelve in the Op. 10 cycle, twelve in the Op. 25 cycle, and three in 58 mazurkas
•a collection without an opus number)
•26 preludes
•20 waltzes
•17 polonaises (orchestral accompaniment)
•17 polonaises (cello with accompanying piano)
•21 nocturnes
•5 rondos
•4 ballades
•4 impromptus
•4 scherzos
•4 sets of variations
•3 piano sonatas, Opp. 4, 35, and 58
•3 écossaises

8. Chopin’s Death

Chopin passed away in 1849 at the age of 39 in Paris by the side of his sister Ludwika and a number of other distinguished attendants. It is unclear to this day whether he died as a result of Tuberculosis or Cystic Fibrosis. Either way he passed away at a young age, even for the time.

9. Memorials to Chopin

According to Chopin’s wishes, his heart was removed and preserved in alcohol, before being encased in a pillar in the Holy Cross Church in Poland.

The funeral was held a few weeks later in Paris and was attended by somewhere in the order of three thousand people, and then buried at Pere Lachaise Cemetery.

Author Bio: This article was written by Gary Tallon to celebrate Chappell of Bond Street’s collection of sheet music by Frederic Chopin amongst their collection of 50,000 titles of sheet music.