Hey Kids, Meet Frederic Chopin | Composer Biography

from the Hey Kid's Meet the Composer Index

Frederic Chopin was born on March 1, 1810 in Poland. His father was French and his mother was Polish. In his future the music of both of these nations would influence his compositions. Some of his works for piano are called mazurkas and polonaises, which are polish dances.

As a child he showed a level of intelligence that allowed him to absorb everything. As he grew older, so did his abilities of observation, drawing, and his uncommon ability to imitate what he observed.

Frederic's first professional piano teacher was the respected Wojciech Zywny. He was devoted to the piano and his skills soon surpassed those of his teacher. At the age of seven, his public performances began to be compared to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as a child, and to his contemporary, Ludwig van Beethoven.

No other composer could play the piano like Chopin. His performances showed exceptional tenderness, happiness, and boldness.

Chopin's love of Poland is captured in a small silver box filled with Polish earth which he carried with him when he left Poland at the age of 21. The silver box was buried with him when he died in Paris on October 17, 1849, at the age of 38.

Watch a Video

Watch a performance of Chopin's Polonaise Op. 53 (Heroic) for piano solo.

Print Related Resources for Frederic Chopin

Beginner and Easy Piano Sheet Music

Tristesse (Etude Op.10 No.8) Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 3
Funeral March (Sonata No.2, 3rd Mvt.) Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 3
Winter Wind (Etude Op.25 No.11) Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 4
Prelude in E Minor (Op. 28, No. 4) Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 5
Nocture in E Flat (Op.9, No.2) Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 5
Polonaise (Op. 53, Heroic) Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 5
Waltz in A Minor (B. 150) Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 5

Hey Kids, Meet the Composer Worksheets (Famous Composers)

Frederic Chopin | Word Search Worksheet
Meet the Composer Job Application Worksheet

Free Homeschool Music Lesson Plans

Frederic Chopin | Famous Composer Homeschool Music Lesson Plans