Frédéric Chopin

Start Over
Composition Types
Most Popular Works
See all

Biography

Born: 1810   Died: 1849   Period: Romantic
Frédéric Chopin has long been recognized as one of the most significant and individual composers of the Romantic age. The bulk of his reputation rests on small-scale works that in other hands would have been mere salon trifles: waltzes, nocturnes, preludes, mazurkas, and polonaises (the last-named two groups reflecting his fervent Polish nationalism). These works link poetically expressive melody and restless harmony to high technical demands. Read more Even his etudes survive as highly appealing concert pieces by emphasizing musical as well as technical values.

His birth date is a matter of controversy; the town registration of his birth specifies February 22, but Chopin always gave the date as March 1. His father was French, his mother Polish; he was raised in Warsaw by a family that mingled with intellectuals and members of the middle and upper classes, and as a teenager he spent two summers in the country, where he was exposed to Polish folk music. By the age of eight he was recognized as a child prodigy, performing in elegant salons and beginning to write his own pieces. Early on he studied composition with Josef Elsner, then took classes in various other music subjects as well as art and literature at the Warsaw Lyceum. In 1826 he enrolled at the University of Warsaw. He gave his first recital in Vienna in 1829, and over the next few years he performed at home and through much of German and Austria as well as in Paris. Feeling limited by Warsaw's cultural provincialism and uncomfortable with the publicity surrounding his performances there, he settled in Paris in 1832 and established himself as an exorbitantly paid piano teacher. In Paris he composed extensively, but limited his performances mainly to private salons.

In 1838 he began an affair with French novelist George Sand. The couple, along with Sand's children, spent a harsh winter in Majorca, where Chopin's health plummeted and he was diagnosed with consumption (tuberculosis). Chopin settled in with Sand in France, composing steadily although his increasing perfectionism slowed his output. By the mid-1840s, though, his health and romantic situation both had deteriorated. The affair ended in 1847 after, among other things, Sand had portrayed their relationship unflatteringly in her 1846 novel Lucrezia Floriani. Chopin then made an extended visit to the British Isles, but returned to Paris to die in 1849. Read less

Featured Frédéric Chopin CDs & DVDs:

Chopin Complete Edition [17-CD Set]
Chopin Complete Edition [17-CD Set]
Release Date: 01/26/2010   Label: Deutsche Grammophon  
Catalog: 001382602   Number of Discs: 17
On sale! $74.98
CD: $58.99
In Stock
BUY 
On sale!   $74.98   CD:  $58.99 Add CD to Cart

Chopin: Etudes / Nikolai Lugansky
Chopin: Etudes / Nikolai Lugansky
Release Date: 08/01/2000   Label: Erato  
Catalog: 80228   Number of Discs: 1
On sale! $16.99
CD: $11.99
In Stock
BUY 
On sale!   $16.99   CD:  $11.99 Add CD to Cart

Chopin: Etudes / Maurizio Pollini
Chopin: Etudes / Maurizio Pollini
Release Date: 10/25/1990   Label: Deutsche Grammophon  
Catalog: 413794   Number of Discs: 1
On sale! $16.98
CD: $14.99
In Stock
BUY 
On sale!   $16.98   CD:  $14.99 Add CD to Cart

Chopin: The Piano Works / Vladimir Ashkenazy
Chopin: The Piano Works / Vladimir Ashkenazy
Release Date: 06/24/1997   Label: Decca  
Catalog: 443738   Number of Discs: 13
On sale! $103.98
CD: $75.49
In Stock
BUY 
On sale!   $103.98   CD:  $75.49 Add CD to Cart

Chopin: Valses / Jean-Bernard Pommier
Chopin: Valses / Jean-Bernard Pommier
Release Date: 02/08/1994   Label: Erato  
Catalog: 92887   Number of Discs: 1
On sale! $17.98
ArkivCD $12.99
Special Order
BUY 
On sale!   $17.98   ArkivCD:  $12.99 Add to Cart

Work: Grande valse brillante, Op. 18

Browse 26-50 of 188 Available Recordings
1 2 3 ... 7 8
  • 26.
    Mordecai Shehori Plays Chopin, Vol. 1: 19 Waltzes
    Mordecai Shehori Plays Chopin, Vol. 1: 19 Waltzes
    Label: Cembal D'amour   Catalog: 156 Release Date: 01/25/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Mordecai Shehori
    Recommendation
    On sale! $18.98
    CD: $16.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $18.98   CD:  $16.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 27.
    Samson Francois - L'edition Integrale [36-CD Set]
    Samson Francois - L'edition Integrale [36-CD Set]
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 46106 Release Date: 01/25/2011   Number of Discs: 36
    Composer:  Franz Liszt,  Robert Schumann,  Sergei Prokofiev,  Frédéric Chopin  ... 
    Performer:  Samson François,  Pierre Barbizet
    Conductor:  Constantin Silvestri,  Paul Kletzki,  Witold Rowicki,  André Cluytens
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Orchestra,  French National Radio Symphony Orchestra,  Orchestre de la Société du Conservatoire Paris
    On sale! $106.98
    CD: $74.99
    Back Order
    BUY 
    On sale!   $106.98   CD:  $74.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 28.
    Chopin: Complete Piano Works
    Chopin: Complete Piano Works
    Label: Brilliant Classics   Catalog: 94089 Release Date: 12/14/2010   Number of Discs: 15
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Bella Davidovich,  Louis Lortie,  Adam Harasiewicz,  Alwin Bär  ... 
    Conductor:  Dimiter Manolov,  Sir Neville Marriner,  Dmitri Kitayenko
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra,  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
    Import CD
    $46.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $46.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 29.
    Last Recital At Besancon (Sept. 16, 1950)
    Last Recital At Besancon (Sept. 16, 1950)
    Label: Opus Kura   Catalog: 7056 Release Date: 12/14/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Franz Schubert,  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Dinu Lipatti
    On sale! $18.98
    CD: $16.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $18.98   CD:  $16.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 30.
    The Complete Raoul Von Koczalski Vol 1 - Polydor Recordings 1924-1928
    The Complete Raoul Von Koczalski Vol 1 - Polydor Recordings 1924-1928
    Label: Marston   Catalog: 52063 Release Date: 12/01/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin,  Franz Liszt,  Robert Schumann,  Raoul Koczalski  ... 
    Performer:  Raoul von Koczalski
    CD: $36.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $36.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 31.
    Chopin: Piano Concertos, Waltzes / Marek Drewnowski
    Chopin: Piano Concertos, Waltzes / Marek Drewnowski
    Label: Apex   Catalog: 2564682606 Release Date: 11/30/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Marek Drewnowski
    Conductor:  Antoni Wit
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
    On sale! $7.99
    CD: $5.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $7.99   CD:  $5.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 32.
    Chopin: Walce; Polonezy
    Chopin: Walce; Polonezy
    Label: Fryderyk Chopin Society   Catalog: 19 Release Date: 11/09/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Marek Drewnowski
    On sale! $18.98
    CD: $16.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $18.98   CD:  $16.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 33.
    Best Of Classics - Bach, Beethoven, Strauss, Vivaldi, Dvorak, Chopin, Mozart
    Best Of Classics - Bach, Beethoven, Strauss, Vivaldi, Dvorak, Chopin, Mozart
    Label: Supraphon   Catalog: 4013 Release Date: 10/26/2010   Number of Discs: 10
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Antonín Dvorák,  Leos Janácek  ... 
    Performer:  Jiri Reinberger,  Jan Kalfus,  Miroslav Kejmar,  Zuzana Ruzicková  ... 
    Conductor:  Bohumil Kulínsky,  Jaroslav Krcek,  Milan Munclinger,  Josef Vlach  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Prague Children's Chorus,  Musica Bohemica,  Ars Rediviva  ... 
    On sale! $77.98
    CD: $59.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $77.98   CD:  $59.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 34.
    Best Chopin 50
    Best Chopin 50
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 31666 Release Date: 10/12/2010   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Stephen Kovacevich,  Ingrid Fliter,  Dmitri Alexeev,  Dinu Lipatti  ... 
    Conductor:  Stanislaw Skrowaczewski,  Paul Kletzki,  Charles Dutoit,  Jerzy Maksymiuk
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Society of the Conservatory Concerts Orchestra,  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Montreal Symphony Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $11.99
    In Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    CD:  $11.99 Add CD to Cart

    MP3:  $9.99 Add MP3 to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 35.
    Ultimate Classical Masterpieces Collection: Piano Masterpieces
    Label: Time/Life Music   Catalog: 374728 Release Date: 09/28/2010   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Franz Schubert,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Frédéric Chopin  ... 
    Performer:  Daniel Blumenthal,  Christian Steiner,  John Browning,  Jodie De Salvo  ... 
    Conductor:  Eric Hammerstein,  Rudolf Kempe,  Anatole Fistoulari,  Sir Malcolm Sargent  ... 
    CD: $26.99
    Back Order
    BUY 
    CD:  $26.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 36.
    Essential Piano
    Essential Piano
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 27925 Release Date: 08/24/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Franz Liszt  ... 
    Performer:  Stephen Kovacevich,  Moura Lympany,  Daniel Adni,  Maria Tipo  ... 
    CD: $12.99
    Low Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    CD:  $12.99 Add CD to Cart

    MP3:  $9.99 Add MP3 to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 37.
    A Century Of Romantic Chopin
    A Century Of Romantic Chopin
    Label: Marston   Catalog: 54001 Release Date: 08/19/2010   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Moritz Rosenthal,  Alfred Cortot,  Rosita Renard,  Sydney Foster  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir John Barbirolli
    Recommendation
    CD: $55.49
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $55.49 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 38.
    Rubinstein Plays Chopin
    Rubinstein Plays Chopin
    Label: Rca   Catalog: 7687122 Release Date: 07/27/2010   Number of Discs: 10
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Artur Rubinstein
    Conductor:  Stanislaw Skrowaczewski,  Alfred Wallenstein
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  New Symphony Orchestra of London,  Symphony of the Air
    On sale! $28.98
    Import CD
    $24.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $28.98   CD:  $24.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 39.
    50 Best Piano
    50 Best Piano
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 57540 Release Date: 06/29/2010   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin,  Franz Liszt,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  ... 
    Performer:  Mikhail Pletnev,  André Watts,  Stanislav Bunin,  Moura Lympany  ... 
    Conductor:  David Zinman,  Wayne Marshall,  Leonard Bernstein,  Bryden Thomson  ... 
    CD: $11.99
    Special Order
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    CD:  $11.99 Add CD to Cart

    MP3:  $9.99 Add MP3 to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 40.
    Icon - Samson Francois - The Chopin Recordings
    Icon - Samson Francois - The Chopin Recordings
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 55357 Release Date: 06/08/2010   Number of Discs: 10
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Samson François
    On sale! $66.98
    CD: $56.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $66.98   CD:  $56.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 41.
    Valentina Igoshina Plays Chopin
    Valentina Igoshina Plays Chopin
    Label: Tony Palmer Films   Catalog: 1662 Release Date: 06/01/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Valentina Igoshina
    CD: $18.99
    Back Order
    BUY 
    CD:  $18.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 42.
    Great Chopin Performers - The Warsaw Recordings
    Great Chopin Performers - The Warsaw Recordings
    Label: Capriccio Records   Catalog: 7039 Release Date: 05/25/2010   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Martha Argerich,  Ivo Pogorelich,  Adam Harasiewicz,  Stanislav Bunin  ... 
    Conductor:  Witold Rowicki,  Kazimierz Kord
    On sale! $39.98
    CD: $34.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $39.98   CD:  $34.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 43.
    Chopin Highlights
    Chopin Highlights
    Label: Berlin Classics   Catalog: 300020 Release Date: 05/11/2010   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Andreas Pistorius,  Elfrun Gabriel,  Annerose Schmidt
    Conductor:  Kurt Masur
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
    On sale! $18.98
    CD: $15.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $18.98   CD:  $15.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 44.
    Valentina Igoshina Plays Chopin
    Valentina Igoshina Plays Chopin
    Label: Tony Palmer Films   Catalog: 1655 Release Date: 05/04/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Valentina Igoshina
    DVD: $18.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    DVD:  $18.99 Add to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 45.
    Brana Records Collection, Vol. 3
    Brana Records Collection, Vol. 3
    Label: Brana Records   Catalog: 33 Release Date: 04/27/2010   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Felicja Blumental
    Conductor:  Robert Wagner
    On sale! $52.98
    CD: $44.49
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $52.98   CD:  $44.49 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 46.
    Chopin: The Piano Works / Vladimir Ashkenazy [13-CD Collector's Edition]
    Chopin: The Piano Works / Vladimir Ashkenazy [13-CD Collector's Edition]
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001406702 Release Date: 03/30/2010   Number of Discs: 13
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Vovka Ashkenazy,  Vladimir Ashkenazy
    Recommendation
    On sale! $69.98
    CD: $55.49
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $69.98   CD:  $55.49 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 47.
    Chopin: Waltzes; Barcarolle; Nocturne; Mazurka
    Chopin: Waltzes; Barcarolle; Nocturne; Mazurka
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 65930 Release Date: 03/30/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Unspecified,  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Dinu Lipatti
    CD not available
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    MP3:  $7.99 Add MP3 to Cart

  • 48.
    Chopin Lounge / Gazarov, Klazz Brothers
    Chopin Lounge / Gazarov, Klazz Brothers
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 7646382 Release Date: 03/09/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  David Gazarov
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Klazz Brothers
    CD: $11.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $11.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 49.
    Chopin Gold
    Chopin Gold
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001397602 Release Date: 02/23/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Vladimir Ashkenazy,  Martha Argerich,  Friedrich Gulda,  Rafal Blechacz  ... 
    CD: $16.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $16.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 50.
    Chopin: Over 2 Hours Of Chopin's Greatest Masterpieces
    Chopin: Over 2 Hours Of Chopin's Greatest Masterpieces
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 88587 Release Date: 02/23/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Alexis Weissenberg,  Agustin Anievas,  Ronald Smith,  Garrick Ohlsson  ... 
    Conductor:  Stanislaw Skrowaczewski,  Paul Kletzki
    CD: $13.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $13.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

1 2 3 ... 7 8