Orin Grossman, PhD - Europe: The Poet of the Piano: The Music of Frederic Chopin - Friday, February 5 at 4:00 PM

The modern piano became a major solo concert instrument in the 1830’s because of advances in piano construction and the extraordinary invention of the modern piano technique by two friends and occasional rivals—Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin. Liszt was the extrovert, who enjoyed publicity and became the most famous touring virtuoso pianist of his day. Chopin, the introvert, concentrated on his compositions and performed them often in private recitals. This presentation will concentrate on Chopin’s early years, his musical gifts, and the nature of the pianistic revolution he created. The presentation will conclude with a performance of Chopin’s Ballade #1, one of his greatest compositions.