In 2010 the world celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Polish composer of genius Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849). This romantic composer was a genuine poet of grand piano. He composed neither symphonies nor operas – his whole creative life was dedicated to piano works. Chopin considered this instrument ideal for expressing feelings and ideas; his nocturnes, waltzes, ballads, mazurkas, polonaises, etudes and scherzos are the recognized masterpieces of piano art.
“To understand Chopin one must know that the composer was a pupil of Bach and Mozart, a pupil of accuracy and harmony. This is a noble genius. Chopin’s Rubato originates from Italian singing: the composer regularly visited the Italian opera studying the singers’ art. Take into account the singer’s breath, expressiveness of the arias and recitatives, singing for the good of the soul – and there appears the proper degree of freedom, not imposed one but following from the sense of melody…” – said one of the best interpreters of Chopin’s music, legendary Polish pianist Arthur Rubinstein. It was performance of Chopin’s works that brought him fame and is still considered to be a world standard.
