Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-01

Schumann the boldest and proudest
poetic spirit of his times; and Grove
says Schumann might with equal truth
have named him composer for the
pianoforte pre-eminent beyond COM
parison.
A musician of exceptional training,
a pianist of wonderful skill and power.
1t is as composer for the piano he holds
chief claim to 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
of work, but that left is of rare quail
fly. The solo pieces include etudes,
preludes. mazurkas, polonaises, , bal
ladies', scherzi, nocturnes, waltzes and
other works. The compositions for
piano with orchestra include two con-
certos; Don Giovanni Fantasia; Kra-
koviak, a rondo: f Fiat Polonaise;
and a Fantasia on Polish airs. He is
author of three works for piano and
cello, a piano trio and a rondo for
two pianos. 1888,
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 his artistic
ideals. And always a pathetic per-
sonality, in physique so frail, so ap-
pealing, Of temperament so highly ar
tistic the owner was ill-fitted for the
tempest of living. He was of refined,
high-bred appearance.
Chopin was born in the village of
Zelazowa VIOLA, son of teacher of
French, his father French, his mother
| Polish. The boy seems to have re-
-, ceived but superficial general edu-
| cation, but in music was well taught,
and early showed remarkable prom
1 Use. made a public appearance at the
tender age of eight years. He became
! a great favorite, was adored by the la
/ dies, musicians spoke of him as a sec
! ond Mozart. Before he was II 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 Lyceum, 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, ap-
| peared in Breslau, Dresden, Prague,
Vienna, Munich and Stuttgart and on
reaching Paris tarried there. 1t was
Just prior to his arrival In Paris the
! Russians had seized Warsaw, and
French sympathy for .downtrodden Po-
land may have added to the warmth of
welcome held ont to the young Polish
musician. Artistic circles admitted him
with acclaim, the doors of wealth and
fashion opened wide for him. He was
sought as teacher. he found enconr-
agement, sympathy, understanding
new incentive for writing. Presently
hei appeared less and less as
public pianist, devoting his time tc
composition Overzin Germany Robert
Schumann, always genero:s IN appre
citation, was the first to give to his
music full recognition, and in an article
4 oft-quoted wrote in regard to Chopin:
= Hats on, gentlemen! geRius." g