The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-02-26

MNI w hoia -
80 place in the world of mu-
49, 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,
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 large quantity
of work, but that left is of rare quQl-
ity. 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; E Flat Polenaise;
| and Fantasia on Polish airs. He is
author of three works for piano and
cello, piano trio and rondo for
two pianos.
In his day he met. with much appre-
citation, many honors; valued by his
fellow artists, petted and feted blythe
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
I other never relinquishing his artistic
ideals. And always a pathetic per-
sonality, in physique so frail, SO ap,
4 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 a teacher OF
French, his father French, his mother
Polish. The boy seems" to- have re
ceived but superficial general edu
cation, but in .susic was well taught
and early showed remarkable prom
Use, made a public appearance at thu
, tender age of eight years. He became
a great favorite, was adored by the ia
dies, musicians spoke of him as sec
ond Mozart. Before he was II he at
tempted composition, wrote marcl
dedicated to the Russian Grand Duk
i Constantine, piece of music tn
duke had scored for military banc
:. AT IL he. entered the Lyceum, an
about this time began the study o
: harmony and counterpoint at the Wal
saw conservatory; during the years Q
school work carried on his musica
studies, on leaving the Lyceum adop
ed music as profession. In 1880 h
set forth as a travelling virtuoso, al
reared in Breslau, Dresden, Prague
e Vienna, Munich and Stuttgart, and o
r reaching Paris tarried there. 1t wa
d lust prior to his arrival in Paris tn
= Russians had seized Warsaw. an
" French sympathy for downtrodden p
land may have added to the warmth
welcome held out to the young Polls
musician. Artistic circles admitted MI
a with acclaim, the doors of wealth an
n fashion opened wide for him. He W;
~ sought as teacher he found encou
ID agement, sympathy, understandln
Id new incentive for writing. Present
he appeared less and less
public pianist, devoting his time
composition. Over in Germany Robe
ID Schumann, always generous in app
a citation. was the first to give to b
Of music full recognition. and in an artie
ly oft-quoted wrote in regard to Chopi
Hats off, gentlemen genius"