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Frederic Chopin Research Paper

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Frederic Chopin was a Polish pianist and composer who integrated both the Romantic tradition and technical characteristics of the piano in an innovative and expressive way. (Oxford Music) “Chopin was the Romantic composer most closely identified with the piano” (Textbook) He combined beautiful melodies, inventive chords and harmonies, and virtuosic technique in a natural and eloquent way to create a tremendous collection of piano works throughout his lifetime. (Oxford Music) Of his many prominent works, Chopin’s collection of etudes has been one of the most revolutionary. This paper will delve into the historical and musical aspects of Chopin’s Etudes Op. 10.
Frederic Chopin was born on March 1, 1810 in Zelazowa Wola, Poland. Due to a registered …show more content…

The first group Chopin mixed with was a community of professional people, specifically within the realm of academics. The Chopin’s moved into the Kazimierzowski Palace when the Lyceum moved there in 1817. The palace was located near the newly established University of Warsaw and therefore, the Chopin’s were able to mingle with many university teachers during their time there. “It was through these contacts that young Chopin was able to visit Berlin in 1828, his first glimpse of the world beyond Poland.” (Oxford Music) The next class Chopin mixed with was the middle nobility. Many of the Lyceum students belonged to this group and several of them boarded with the Chopin family. Chopin got to know many of these boys and began to develop friendships that would prove to be lasting and important later in life. During the summers of 1824 and 1825, Chopin stayed with his friend, Dominik Dziewanowski, at his country home. “Much has been made of Chopin’s documented contacts with folk music during these youthful visits to Szafarnia.” (Oxford Music) The third group in which Chopin mixed was a handful of upper-class Aristocrats. Chopin’s connection with this group of people was formed due to his talent. He was invited by many of these wealthy people to put on both private and public performances as well as teach lessons. These …show more content…

4 in C Sharp Minor is a sharp contrast to the etude prior to it. It contains busy 16th note melody that switches between hands throughout the piece making this the first etude that offers an equal challenge for both hands. This piece is written in the same form as the first two etudes (ABA) and also suggests origins in Baroque procedure. (Samson 61) The A sections consist of a constant 16th note line that alternates between hands while the other hand plays staccato, quarter note chords. The B section differs because the two hands join together and both play the 16th note melody. In the coda section, there are many large leaps in the left hand while the right hand plays an agitated melody containing jumps spanning about an octave. Etude No. 5 in G Flat Major, often referred to as the “Black Key” etude, possesses a fresh and playful tone. This piece dates from 1830 and in a letter, Chopin describes it as his least interesting etude because it is written for only the black keys and it had little depth of emotion. (Jonson 101) However, it can be seen as interesting in the sense that Chopin still achieves a coherent melody while simply using a pentatonic scale on only the black keys. (hedley

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