The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-03-11

IN to hold a very important
place in the world OF mu-
sic. Francois Frederick Cho
pin Chopin was called by
Schumann the boldest and proudest
poetic spirit OF his times: and Grove
says Schumann might with equal truth
have named him a composer for the
pianoforte pre-eminent beyond com.
parison.
A musician Of exceptional training.
q pianist OF wonderful skin and power.
u Is as composer for the piano he holds
chief claim 10 attention. He was the
FIRST OF all the composers TO under.
stand the limitations and possibilities
Of the piano. his compositions are all
works for the piano or with the piano.
Compared with other composers he
did not leave behind a large quantity
81 work. but that left 10 OF rare quail
lty The solo pieces include etudes.
preludes. mazurkas. polonalses. bal
ladies'. scherzi. nocturnes. waltzes and
other works The compositions for
plano with orchestra include two con
certos; Don Giovanni Fantasia; Kra-
koviak. a rondo; r Flat Polonaise:
and Fantasia on Polish airs lie Is
author OF three works for piano and
cello. a plano trio and a rondo for
two pianos.
In his day he met with much appre-
citation. many honors: valued by his
fellow artists. petted and feted by the
world OF fashion. He was an odd mix.
ture. this Polish genius. his a most
contradictory nature; on the one side
trucking to the aristocracy. on the
other never relinquishing bis artistic
ideals. And always a pathetic per
sonality. in physique so frail. so ap
pealing. OF temperament so highly ar.
tlstic the owner was ill-fitted for the
tempest OF living. lie was OF refined.
high-bred appearance.
Chopin was born in the village OF
Zelazowa Viola. son OF a teacher OF
French. his father French, his mother
Polish. The boy seems TO have re-
ceived but a superficial general edu
cation. but in music was well taught
and early showed remarkable prom.
Use. made a public appearance at the
tender age OF eight years. lie became
a great fayorite. was adored by the la
dies. musicians spoke OF him as a sec
ond Mozart. Before he was n he at
tempted composition. wrote a march
dedicated to the Russian Grand Duke
Constantine. piece OF music the
duke had scored for a military band.
At IL he entered the Lyeeum, and
about this time began the study OF
harmony and counterpart at the War
saw conservatory: during the years OF
school work carried on his musical
studies. on leaving the Lyceum adopt.
ed music as a profession. In 1880 he
set forth as a travelling virtuoso, sp-
peared In Breslau. DresSen, Prague,
Vienna. Munich and Stur art. and on
reaching Paris tarried there. II was
just prior 10 his arrival In Paris the
Russians had seized Warsaw. and
French sympathy for downrodden Pc
land may have added TO the warmth OF
welcome held out TO the young Polish
musician. Artistic circles admitted him
with acclaim. the doors Of wealth and
fashion opened wide for him. lie was
sought as a teacher. he found encour-
agement. sympathy, understanding.
new incentive for writing. Presently
he appeared less and less as
public pianist. devoting his time to
composition. over In Germany Robert
schumann. always generous In appre-
citation. was the first 10 give TO his
music full recognition. ana In an article
oft-quoted wrote In regard to Chopin:
Hats On, gsntlsmsnl a geniusl"