Frédéric Chopin

Frédéric Chopin (born Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin) was a Polish composer and pianist. He was born in Żelazowa Wola and grew up in Warsaw, where he took piano lessons from Wojciech Żywny and later studied music theory and composition with Józef Elsner. His reported birth date is 1 March 1810, based on statements by Chopin and his family; his baptismal certificate gives 22 February. The Fryderyk Chopin Institute’s biography records both dates.

Chopin left Poland in November 1830 and arrived in Paris on 5 October 1831. He remained abroad for the rest of his life, working in Paris as a pianist, teacher and composer. He gave his Paris debut at the Salle Pleyel in 1832; teaching became a principal source of income, and he performed most often in salons. He remained closely connected to the Polish émigré community. The Institute’s biography and account of his years in France document these parts of his life.

The site’s Poland route, chapter II follows Chopin’s Warsaw formation and Polish dance forms. Its Paris chapter follows his later career in France.