Composer of the Week: Chopin

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Composer of the Week

Music: Classical

Composer of the Week - Brand

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.

Composer of the Week: Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849): High Society

High Society

Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849), High Society

Donald Macleod explores how Chopin was introduced into high society in London.

Donald Macleod explores how Chopin was introduced into high society through a series of appearances organised by his pupil and admirer Jane Stirling.

Donald Macleod explores the social whirl that propelled Chopin's visit to London.

Chopin made just two trips to Britain, both in later life. These visits are often portrayed as a disaster - a calamitous mistake of no worth to Chopin which hastened the composer’s death. Over the course of this week, Donald Macleod explores these two trips in depth, during which the virtuoso pianist gave six of the thirty public concerts he gave during the whole of his life, and also made many private appearances meeting the great and the good of British society. In Wednesday’s episode, Donald explores how Chopin was introduced into high society in London, through a series of appearances organised by his pupil and admirer Jane Stirling coming into contact with notable figures including Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens.

Prelude in C sharp minor, Op.45
Alexandre Tharaud (piano)

Fantasy on Polish Airs, Op.13
Nelson Goerner (piano)
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Kazimierz Kord (conductor)

Ballade no. 2 in F, Op.38
Krystian Zimerman (piano)

Piano Concerto no.1 – I. Allegro Maestoso
Martha Argerich (piano)
Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Charles Dutoit (conductor)


Producer: Sam Phillips

Composer of the Week: Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Donald Macleod explores the two concert tours of Britain that Chopin made in later life.

Donald Macleod explores the two trips Chopin made to Britain, during which the virtuoso pianist gave six of the 30 public concerts he gave during the whole of his life.

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