Music. Learn, enjoy, appreciate.

Chopin’s music has delighted music lovers for nearly two centuries. Perhaps no other composer is so closely associated with the piano, newly finding its voice in Chopin’s time. His too-short life had its own drama and turmoil, with his exile from Poland, his battle with illness, and his relationship with French authoress George Sand.

This one-day music course explores the life and music of Chopin. We will explore what makes his music so special, so rich and so innovative. We will listen to some of his greatest works, and also some lesser-known and under-appreciated ones. We also delve into the story of his life, his background, his struggles and his triumphs.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• identify some aspects of Chopin’s musical style
• describe how Chopin's music is related to the Romantic period
• identify some of the genres of music composed by Chopin
• list some of Chopin's major works, and describe their place in his musical output
• list some significant events in the life of Chopin.

Content

Topics

• What do we think of when we think of Chopin?
• Chopin’s place in music history
• Chopin’s musical style: what makes Chopin sound like Chopin
• The Romantic period: Music in Chopin's time
• Major events in the life of Chopin
• Chopin’s early years in Poland
• Trips to Berlin and Vienna
• Early love