It is 175 years since the grand master of piano music, Frédéric Chopin, died in Paris on October 17, 1849. Though he was only 39 years old when he died, he revolutionized piano music and piano playing in Europe. The Polish composer and virtuoso is famous for his finger technique of particular lightness and ease, and he emphasized the need for the pianist to have a knowledge of singing in order to play.

Every five years for the last 100 years, the National Chopin Institute of Poland has organized the International Chopin Piano Competition, the most important musical event in the country. It has become one of the key places for the discovery of new pianistic talents and rising careers. 2025 will see the next great event.

For Music of the Week, we have chosen both Chopin and one of the most promising rising stars of piano playing. Thirteen-year-old wunderkind Elisey Mysin masterfully plays Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto at the 2024 music festival in Ufa, Russia.

Related:

Frédéric Chopin (Wikipedia)

The Frédéric Chopin Institute

Piano Concerto in F minor, Op. 21

Elisey Mysin (homepage)

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