Frederic Chopin

[MaestroX]

Chopin is an excellent composer I love his Polynaise in A flat Major and some of his Nocturnes and Etudes are amazing.

I enjoy Chopin, not to mention he was challenging his contemporaries by some "atonal" approach in his latter works.

How far do you think he "pushed" the boundaries?

[Thorolf]

Chopin is probably one of the most important piano composers of all time. The combination of sweetness at times, virtuoso brilliance at times, all drenched in his knack for good melodic subjects, yet sometimes blazing trails to new levels of modernity, always with perfect form… it all points towards a dedicated composer with a high level of integrity, and great curiosity for novel ways for stretching the possibilities of music.

His ability to incorporate folk musical idea types as a natural part of his personal style, is rather rare in classical music, and not many but Grieg has done the same on a grand scale.

How far he pushed the boundaries? Very far in my opinion. As I said elsewhere on the board:

Originally Posted by Thorolf

heh, some of Chopin’s works are rather modern… Look no further than Prelude in a-minor from the 24 Preludes…

Could easily have been written by the contemporary jazz composer Chick Corea.

Regards

[Peter Bolton]

Chopin's sentimentality perhaps gave rise to some reservations amongst his more rigorous contemporaries. Here is an opinion from Fanny Hensel, speaking as a composer:
"I cannot deny that I find him too lacking in an important component - namely, power - to pass as a complete artist. His playing does not exhibit shades of grey, but shades of rose - if only it could bite a little! but he's a delightful man, and if you think his 'idylls' have given me no enjoyment, then either you're mistaken, or else I haven't expressed myself properly."
As Fanny knew and played Chopin's 'Etudes' her reference to 'idylls' seems a little strange!

[chckn8r]

I loved playing Chopin (when I used to practice 3+ hours a day). Now, I can hardly muddle through some of the things I used to be able to. My "finger memory" is still there, but the ability for the digits to reach the appropriate keys at the appropriate time is another matter all together.

I really enjoyed the challenges he baked into his pieces - complex and dense rhythmic accompaniments to flowing and delicate melodies. And then, he could exhibit some real power on the instrument - I was blown away when playing his second Ballade (F Major) - combination of delicate melody accompanied by block chordal harmony and then ... all hell breaks loose!

YouTube - Zimerman plays Chopin Ballade No. 2

[ttw]

Charles Rosen's "The Romantic Generaton" has a good discussion of Chopin's music.

[Peter Bolton]

I must say that I agree that there is power in Chopin's music, although it is not always evident (or necessary) in his mazurkas, which contain some of my favourites. I'm not so certain of the folk elements as the mazurka and the polonaise were essentially dances of the aristocracy.
Fanny Mendelssohn was of course a hard taskmaster whose music is grounded on the rock of Johann Sebastian. Potentially, she was the Bach of the Romantic age and her uncompromising aim was perfection of melodic line. Rosen ought to have discussed her contribution too but prejudice was still overwhelming musicianship in those days.

[jonesmusiclife]

hey if you like kristian zimmerman (chckn8r), you should search for 'sergio tiempo' on youtube. he plays Chopin more amazingly than anyone i've every seen... he's my hero, right after the 5 Browns.