Francois Chopin Accomplishments

Frederic Francois Chopin is among the top tier of well known pianists and composers during the Romanticism Period. This is a difficult feat, considering this period featured many renown people such as Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner, and Robert Schumann. Making a name for yourself meant everything, so only the top prodigies ever had a chance at becoming known. Chopin's music still has a far reaching effect on the world today. Without him and his accomplishments, classical music today would, no doubt, be different. Born on March 1, 1810, Chopin was considered a child prodigy and a brilliant genius. Growing up in Warsaw, Poland he certainly was in the right city to start a musical career. At the young age of 8, he studied piano under Wojciech Zywny

Many think he outgrew himself in the smaller city and honestly, they are probably correct. After traveling around, Chopin lived in Vienna for eight months. Here, he performed for the locals and introduced a few new pieces. After leaving Vienna, Chopin arrived in the grand city of Paris in 1831. In Paris, Chopin premiered his F minor Concerto Variations in 1832. This is notable because he only gave 30 public performances within 30 years of concertizing. NPR’s Ted Libbey wrote the following “No one before or since has contributed as many significant works to the piano’s repertoire, or come closer to capturing it’s soul” ( Libbey

His piano music remains the most frequently played in history. He truly was a master of his craft. The characteristics of Chopin’s playing style was seen as highly personal and tempo rubato. Chopin once stated, “the left hand is the conductor; it must not waver or lose ground; do with the right hand what you will and can” (Dubal 4). Chopin had his playing style and stuck with it. He became frustrated and upset when it differed from its usual course. Chopin was a professional and as such, expected himself to be perfect in all that included the piano. As Arthur Rubinstein said, “When the first notes of Chopin sound throughout the concert hall, there is a happy sign of recognition” (Dubal 4). People love his music and enjoy listening to it. Although written in the Romanticism period, his work does not necessarily include stories or tell of love. He did this on purpose, it is personal but yet still pure art. On some occasions, like Etude, his music changed to a much anger tone because of conflict in his home country of