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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Fryderyk Franciszek (Frédéric Francois) Chopin was born in 1810, in Zelazowa Wola, Poland. His father was French and his mother Polish. He quickly showed great promise as a pianist.

When Frederic was 7 he studied the piano under Zywny, and played Gyrowetz's Piano Concerto in Warsaw when he was 8. At 12 he studied harmony and counterpoint with Joseph Elsner, Director of Warsaw Conservatoire.

Frederic's Rondo in C minor was published as Opus 1, when he was 15, although it wasn't his first composition. At 16 he entered the Warsaw Conservatoire as a full-time music student for three years. Whilst a student he wrote his Krakowiak Rondo, and quickly went on to larger works.

He then toured widely in Europe, playing his highly acclaimed piano compositions. In Stuttgart he heard that the Russians had captured Warsaw. He then went to Paris where he became a piano teacher to aristocracy. His brilliance was widely recognised. Robert Schumann said of him - 'Hats off, gentlemen. A new genius'.

In 1837 Frederic met the French novelist George Sand, and lived with her for 9 years. At this point he contracted tuberculosis, a life-threatening illness which was to gradually worsen. After the revolution in 1848, he left for London and gave concerts in Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. He returned to Paris to die in October 1849, aged 39.

This musical genius has given immense pleasure to countless millions over the years, and he was tremendously influential on his musical peers. Here is a MusicSmiles arrangement of one of his most enduring compositions: Prelude - Opus 28, No 7. What a dry sounding title for such a delightful piece. He composed 25 preludes - all with formal numbered titles,  but this one is the public's favourite and is generally known simply as Chopin's Prelude.

We hope you enjoy our MusicSmiles arrangement of this memorable tune, with the piano solo accompanied by our string section. (Don't tell our piano teacher!) Perhaps you would like to compose your own arrangement; go on, have a go . . .

Now let's take a look at Arthur's  Evening Hymn . . .

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