Frederic Chopin

Composer

Frederic Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist, known for his emotive piano works that express profound feelings of love and longing.

Born
March 1, 1810
Died
October 17, 1849
Quotes
66
Rank
#809

About Frederic Chopin

Frederic Chopin — Life and Legacy

Frederic Chopin, a Polish composer and pianist of the Romantic era, is renowned for his innovative contributions to piano music, particularly through his nocturnes, études, and waltzes. His works are characterized by their emotional depth and technical brilliance, often reflecting his own tumultuous experiences with love and identity. Chopin's philosophy of music is encapsulated in his belief that 'Simplicity is the final achievement.' This perspective underscores his approach to composition, where he sought to convey complex emotions through elegant and accessible melodies. His music often serves as a mirror to his inner struggles, as seen in his poignant statement, 'I wish I could throw off the thoughts which poison my happiness,' which reveals the tension between his artistic genius and personal turmoil. The impact of Chopin's work continues to resonate today, as his quotes and compositions invite listeners to explore the intricacies of human emotion. His ability to articulate feelings of love, loss, and longing through music has established him as a timeless figure in the world of classical music, influencing countless musicians and composers who seek to express the depths of the human experience.

Quote collection

Frederic Chopin quotes (page 1 of 4)

66 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Frederic Chopin Composer
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"Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, except, possibly two."

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Frederic Chopin Composer
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"Bach is like an astronomer who, with the help of ciphers, finds the most wonderful stars . . . Beethoven embraced the universe with the power of his spirit . . . I do not climb so high. A long time ago I decided that my universe will be the soul and heart of man."

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Frederic Chopin Composer
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"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties."

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Frederic Chopin Composer
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"I tell my piano the things I used to tell you"

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"Nothing is more odious than music without hidden meaning."

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Frederic Chopin Composer
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"Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art."

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"The last thing is simplicity. After having gone through all the difficulties, having played an endless number of notes, it is simplicity that matters, with all its charm. It is the final seal on Art. Anyone who strives for this to begin with will be disappointed. You cannot begin at the end."

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"Sometimes I can only groan, and suffer, and pour out my despair at the piano."

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Frederic Chopin Composer
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"I am gay on the outside, especially among my own folk (I count Poles my own); but inside something gnaws at me; some presentiment, anxiety, dreams - or sleeplessness - melancholy, indifference - desire for life, and the next instant, desire for death; some kind of sweet peace, some kind of numbness, absent-mindedness."

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"Oh, how miserable it is to have no one to share your sorrows and joys, and, when your heart is heavy, to have no soul to whom you can pour out your woes."

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"Time is the best of critics; and patience the best of teachers."

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Frederic Chopin Composer
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"It is dreadful when something weighs on your mind, not to have a soul to unburden yourself to. You know what I mean. I tell my piano the things I used to tell you."

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Frederic Chopin Composer
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"I wish I could throw off the thoughts which poison my happiness, but I take a kind of pleasure in indulging them."

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Frederic Chopin Composer
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"After a rest in Edinburgh, where, passing a music-shop, I heard some blind man playing a mazurka of mine."

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Frederic Chopin Composer
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"A long time ago I decided that my universe will be the soul and heart of man."

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Frederic Chopin Composer
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"The Official Bulletin declared that the Poles should be as proud of me as the Germans are of Mozart; obvious nonsense."

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Frederic Chopin Composer
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"The earth is suffocating... Swear to make them cut me open, so that I won't be buried alive."

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