Frédéric Chopin

Frederic Chopin, 1849https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric_ChopinA child prodigy who composed piano pieces at the age of seven was destined to be one of the most famous composers of all time, whose pieces are still recognizable after hundreds of years.  This man is none other than Frederic Chopin, a Polish pianist who is still recognized today. Frederic Chopin was a 19th-century romantic composer who was born in Zelazowa Wola, Poland in 1810.  He is most known for his many compositions such as “Ballade No. 1 in G Minor”, “Polonaise Op. 53”, and “Nocturne in E Flat Major”, which people still play in concerts and competitions today. To be a hero, someone must be committed and hard-working.  Hard-working means that they can accomplish a great amount in a lifetime. Being committed means that there is nothing that can stop them from doing what their heart desires, which for Chopin, was the piano. Through his hardworking and committed personality, Frederic Chopin was able to compose a variety of musical masterpieces that changed the world of romanticism and classical music.

Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, page 1https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/348989/Product.aspxFrederic Chopin was a committed person for a variety of reasons.  According to Smolenska-Zeilinska, Chopin suffered from symptoms of tuberculosis throughout the last few years of his life, which was a big obstacle for him to continue with his passion. Even though he wasn't able to play against other virtuoso pianists, he was still able to make enough money by teaching, and therefore continuing his passion.  ¨Chopin recognized that he did not have the stamina to compete in public against such virtuosos as Liszt and Sigismund Thalberg. So long as he was able to earn enough by teaching, Chopin preferred to forgo concertizing for composition¨ (Frederic Francois Chopin). Chopin’s motivation for his passion was so important to him, his lack of ability to compete with other pianists didn't stop him from being able to play the piano.  Being a teacher is not the easiest thing to be, but since it fit his passion, he was willing to do it. This makes Chopin a hero because a hero is someone who is supposed to be committed, and that is exactly who Chopin was. Chopin was a committed person because of his will to teach in the conditions of his bad health, but he was also able to play publicly, which was one of his worst fears. ¨After the Sand episode, despite his failing health Chopin continued giving lessons, gave a public concert in 1848, and toured England and Scotland that same year as the guest of Jane Stirling, his benefactress through the final years” (Pniewski).  For someone with a fear of performing music in front of a large number of people, Chopin was still able to play at a public concert and continue lessons. This explains how he was so motivated because a normal non-motivated person would give up on their life after going through several relationships and health issues. Chopin is a hero because of his true commitment which is explained through his ability to perform and teach through the physical conditions he was in.

Portrait By P. Schick, 1873File:Frédéric Chopin d'après un portrait de P Schick, 1873.jpg

Chopin may be committed, but he is also hard-working.  Because of his diagnosed tuberculosis, Chopin only lived to be 39 years old. However, he was able to accomplish a great amount of work in his lifetime, and even become known throughout history.  “Chopin was not a conductor, or a writer on music, or a great teacher--[...] Indeed, he represents the curious phenomenon of a legendary pianist who gave approximately 30 public performances in his entire lifetime” (Frederic Francois Chopin).  Chopin can be considered a hero because of what he accomplished in his lifetime. According to this article, he gave 30 public performances in his entire lifetime, which was 39 years. To be able to accomplish what he did in a short life, one would have to be hard-working.  Not only did Chopin compose a large number of masterpieces in a short lifetime, but he also made a difference to the techniques and history of the piano, which would require a large amount of practice and hard working. “His innovations in fingering, his use of the pedals, and his general treatment of the keyboard form a milestone in the history of the piano, and his works set a standard for the instrument that is recognized as unsurpassable” (Hedley).  To be considered a hard-working person, you would have to of completed a lot in a lifetime, and in this case, Chopin made history by making a difference to the history of the piano. It is also said that his works are “unsurpassable”, which means he was able to change the piano forever in a short lifetime of 39 years. Chopin was a big historical figure in the history of the piano, and he deserves his title as a hero. A big trait a hero must acquire is to be hard-working, and through his accomplishments and changes to the piano, Chopin can be considered a hero.

Through both his committed and hard-working personality, Frederic Chopin was able to change the world of classical and romantic era music.  Chopin was both committed and hardworking throughout his life, which included how he was willing to play piano in his harsh physical conditions, he was able to be named among the world's greatest composers, and he was able to introduce a variety of techniques to the piano.  Frederic is an inspiration to me for many reasons. One reason is because he was able to accomplish so much in a lifetime so short, and that inspires me to believe that I can accomplish more. Another reason is that I play the piano and I favor his pieces. Knowing he was so young and was able to compose and play these pieces is what motivates me to practice, which is an important life skill anyone should learn.  Overall, Frederic Chopin, a Polish composer, is a hardworking and committed person who was able to still change the world of classical and romantic music, and he can inspire anyone to believe they can accomplish more.

Works Cited

"Frédéric François Chopin." Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. Biography In Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1631001359/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=3aabda9c. Accessed 14 Jan. 2019.

Hedley, Arthur. “Chopin, Frederic.” Chopin, Frederic: Biography Reference Center, EBSCO Industries, 3 Jan. 2012, web.b.ebscohost.com/brc/detail?vid=6&sid=2314cd87-c53b-400e-98f3-c420170597cd@pdc-v-sessmgr05&bdata=JnNpdGU9YnJjLWxpdmU=#jid=IX8&db=b6h.

Pniewski, Tom. "Chopin, Poland's Musical Voice." World and I, Oct. 1999, p. 102. Biography In Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A55851400/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=d8f8fc45. Accessed 15 Jan. 2019.

Smolenska-Zielinska, Barbara. “Chopin Biography.” Chopin : Complete Music Analysis - Preludes, www.ourchopin.com/biography.html.