ChopinA Biography, History, and Raindrop Prelude

By: Cameron Wilhelm

BiographyFrederic Chopin

(1810 – 1849) lived a shorter life, as did

Mozart and Schubert, living only 39 years.

Chopin was born March 1, near

Warsaw, Poland.

Frederic had a natural gift for the

keyboard, improvising readily

at the piano.

Biography While he was at school he took music lessons with the

head of the Warsaw Conservatory

Eventually in 1831, he settled in Paris where he was quickly recognized and taken

up by patrons

BiographyIn 1832 he became

paired with the famous Baroness

Dudevant, an outstanding writer of the time with more

than a hundred books to her credit.

Biography Dudevant inspired Chopin.

Much of his most deeply felt music dates from these

years with her. Once they had parted he wrote scarcely another

note.

Biography By the end of 1848 after returning to Paris he was weak and eventually died in October

of 1849.His funeral was held at the Church of the Madeleine in Paris. His graves resides at

Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Raindrop PreludeRaindrop

Prelude is the longest and most well-

known prelude of all of

Chopin’s Works.

It is easier and appears in almost

every intermediate piano book

in print as an introduction to

the music of Chopin.

Raindrop Prelude

Raindrop Prelude is one of 24 preludes

written by Chopin, who only wrote

for the piano.

In actual performance Chopin was known to

change, add or subtract these embellishments at will

Raindrop PreludeThe first

section carries a soft singing tone, imitating the idea of a

raindrop through a

repeated “A” flat.

Chopin adds embellishments that end the first phrase which are played

freely with expression.

Raindrop Prelude

The middle section of this piano short, is in a minor key

which creates a nice

contrast and mood change.

It is as if the pleasant

spring rain is now more of

a storm

Raindrop PreludeWhen the piece returns to the first section it feels like

a breath of fresh air, or a lighter

“rain”.

The piece eventually fades with a ritardando to slow it down suggesting the storm is now

ending...

“Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.”

-Chopin

Thank You