Frederic Chopin (1810 – 1849) was a famous composer and pianist born in Poland but of French origin, one of the most studied as a representative of musical Romanticism.
The figure of Chopin appears, according to many music scholars, as one of the most refined and virtuoso pianists of all time.
11. Because I have too much respect for my audience and I do not want pieces unworthy of my audience to be distributed under my name under my responsibility.
Reflecting on the distribution of your pieces.
12. I am satisfied with what I have found, I have the best musicians in the world and the best opera in the world.
At that point in his career, Chopin had all the means to make his music sound exceptionally good.
13. Time is the best way to check who is the wisest and most patient instructor.
Time knows everything and shows all cards.
14. And here I am, condemned to inaction! It happens to me sometimes that I cannot help but sigh and, filled with pain, I pour my despair onto the piano.
About his passionate way of understanding life and music.
15. Generally, the greater the health, the less patience there is in people’s sufferings.
A Chopin thought that has a certain logic.
16. I am a revolutionary, money means nothing to me.
His vision on money, blunt and brilliant.
17. I am not made to give concerts; The public intimidates me, I feel suffocated by their hasty impatience, paralyzed by their curious glances, speechless before those unknown physiognomies.
Curious reflection from one of the most acclaimed virtuosos in the history of music.
18. Paris responds to everything the heart desires. You can have fun, get bored, laugh, cry or do whatever you want without attracting attention, since thousands of people do the same…and each one as they want.
19. According to general opinion, my interpretation has been characterized by a sonority that is too weak or, rather, too delicate for the taste of Viennese listeners, accustomed to hearing artists destroying their instruments (…) It doesn’t matter; It is impossible that there are not some buts, and I prefer this to hearing people say that I play too loud.
Chopin’s phrase about the musical tastes of the people of his time.
20. Chopin is so weak and timid that he can be hurt even by the fold of a rose petal. (George Sand)
Phrase by the French writer Amantine Aurore Lucile Dupin (who used the pseudonym George Sand), about the extreme fragility of Frederic Chopin.
21. Not even a corpse has a loved one. A corpse is also pale, like me. A corpse is cold, like I am cold and indifferent to everything.
Death and illness were constant elements throughout his life.
22. I have been accused of saying that I am the best architect in the world, and if I said that, I don’t think I was too arrogant.
Chopin demonstrates a great sense of humor in many of his ironic quotes.
23. Play Mozart in my memory, and I will listen to you.
As a great piano virtuoso that he was, he also admired the great masters of the history of music.
24. Sad but kind tears! What a strange emotion! Sad but blessed.
Sadness accompanied him for much of his life.
25. I wish I could get rid of the thoughts that poison my happiness.
In his writings we can read a person who is often tormented and saddened for different reasons.
26. One only needs to study a certain position of the hand in relation to the keys to easily obtain the most beautiful sounds, know how to play long notes and short notes, and (achieve) a certain unlimited dexterity.
Without a doubt, Chopin was one of the most virtuoso pianists of our era.
27. Too many of us think “Peace” is impossible. Too many of us think it’s unreal. But this is a dangerous and defeatist opinion. It leads us to think that war is inevitable…
A plea in favor of achieving a better world.
28. Time is still the best critic and patience the best teacher.
An approach shared by some of the greatest artists in history.
29. A well-trained technique, I find it to be one that can control and vary a beautiful sound quality.
Good advice for anyone who wants to become a successful pianist.
30. When you do something, it seems good, otherwise you wouldn’t write it. Only later does reflection come, and one discards or accepts the thing.
Keeping a journal in which we write down our thoughts is a good way to get to know ourselves.
31. There are many women, gentlemen between 70 and 80 years old, but not young people: everyone is shooting. You can’t go outside because it has been raining and blowing for several days.
A pessimistic reflection about old age.
32. I tell my piano the things I used to tell you.
Great musicians have a friendly relationship with their instruments and some can go further.
33. How strange! This bed in which I will lie down has been slept on by more than one dying man, But today it does not disgust me! Who knows what corpses have been on him and for how long? But is he a worse corpse than me? A corpse also knows nothing about his or Tito’s father, mother or sisters.
A truly gloomy passage from his memoirs.
34. The enemy has entered the house. Oh God, do you exist? You do and you still don’t get revenge. Didn’t you have enough of the Moscow crimes? Or… Or maybe you are a Muscovite!
Some of his reflections on God and religion are very interesting.
35. Sometimes I can only moan, suffer and pour out my despair on the piano!
Another passage in which he recounts his discomfort, anguish and unease.
36. Playing the piano is like singing with your fingers.
A nice metaphor for one of the best pianists in history.
37. It’s terrible when something weighs on your mind, not having a soul to vent to.
An example that tells us the suffering that this great romantic musician felt.
38. If Paganini is perfection, Kalkbrenner is his equal, but in a completely different style.
Chopin had no problem admiring some of the great composers of his time.
39. I could express my feelings more easily if I could put them in the notes of music, but since the best concert would not cover my affection for you, dear dad, I must use the simple words of my heart, to expose myself to you, my greatest gratitude and filial affection.
Music has always been a great way to express one’s feelings.
40. I love to please him, even if everything is wrong.
In his writings we can occasionally find a glimpse of positivity.
41. Therefore, I am right to be angry for being born into this world!
Nonconformity and positivity were constant throughout his life.
42. After one has played with a large number of notes, it is simplicity that emerges as a reward of the art.
One of the secrets of his genius.
43. And here I am, condemned to inaction! It happens to me sometimes that I cannot help but sigh and, filled with pain, I pour my despair onto the piano.
As the greatest representative of romanticism, his life was a great example of the explosion of feelings typical of the genre.
44. Here, no doubt, you will notice my tendency to do wrong against my will.
Some of his approaches swing between irony and surrealism.
45. But why should one be ashamed of writing badly despite knowing better? It is the results that show errors.
An argument in favor of making mistakes in our lives.
46. Concerts are never real music, we must give up the idea of listening to all the most beautiful things in art in them.
Advice that we can treasure from the hand of one of the greatest composers in history.
47. I am angry and depressed, and people bore me with their excessive attention.
He was always a nonconformist and someone who never followed the social conventions of the time.
48. I’m leaving Poland to die surrounded by strangers.
Another of his funeral reflections that shows the type of person Chopin was.
49. He was a member of the Warsaw family by nationality, a Pole by heart and a citizen of the world by his talent, which today has left the earth.
Press release published on the day of his death.
50. I do not wish to be a copy of Kalkbrenner.
He never compared himself to any of the contemporary composers of his time.
