Frederic Chopin in Warsaw (1810-1829)

Map of Poland

Frederic Chopin was born on March 1, 1810 in Zelazowa Wola, 35 miles outside Warsaw. He was the son of Justyna Krzyzanowska and Mikolaj Chopin. He was the older brother of Izabella Chopin and Emilia Chopin.

While in Zelazowa Wola, Chopin begins taking piano lessons with Wojciech Zywny in 1816. Chopin outgrows his teacher by 1822 when he begins taking composition lessons with Józef Elsner. By this time, Chopin has already made some early attempts at composition including: Polonaise in B flat major, Polonaise in G minor, Polonaise in A flat major and several other dances and variations.

In 1823 Chopin enters into the Warsaw Lyceum. Chopin writes the Polonaise in G sharp minor, Variations in E major and several other minor works. In 1826, Chopin composes the Funeral march in C minor for the funeral of Stanislaw Staszic a Polish scholar. It is in 1826 when Chopin first notices signs of his illness. By the end of the year, Chopin graduates from the Lyceum "cum laude" and enters into the Higher School of Music. Here Chopin studies under Józef Elsner and writes the Rondo a la Mazur.

In 1827, Chopin's younger sister Emilia dies of tuberculosis. Between 1827 and 1828, Chopin writes the Sonata op. 4 and the Variations, op. 2 which he dedicates to Józef Elsner. It is with these pieces that Chopin begins to get recognition from foreign publishing companies. Between 1828 and 1829, Chopin writes his Trio op. 8, Fantasie on Polish Airs and graduates from the Higher School of Music. In his reports, Józef Elsner wrote: "Chopin, Frederic, third year student, amazing capabilities, musical genius." After graduating from the Higher School of Music, Chopin leaves Warsaw for Vienna.

Adapted from the Official Chopin Website