The Nocturnes by Frédéric Chopin are some of the most beautiful and beloved pieces in the entire piano repertoire. Written between 1827 and 1846, Chopin took the form popularised by the Irish composer John Field, and elevated the genre with

Frédéric Chopin, born on March 1st 1810, is one of the most popular composers in the history of classical music. Although he specialised in writing for piano, he composed in a variety of forms: ballades, impromptus, nocturnes, scherzos, and more.

A Mysterious Envelope Arrives. On 14 November 1849, Ludwika Jędrzejewicz opened an envelope. Ludwika Jędrzejewicz was having a bad month. Her marriage was in shambles because she had left Poland to be at her brother Frédéric Chopin’s deathbed. She had

Inspired by night, the Nocturne first came into our musical language in the 18th century, but the idea of a night-time work comes from the ancient church, where ‘nocturn’ was the last of the seven prayers of the day. Held

As we commemorate the passing of Frédéric Chopin on 17 October 1849, we are once again reminded that he was one of the greatest pianists the world has ever known. But what is more, Chopin also left the finest body

Frédéric Chopin was one of the most influential classical musicians of the nineteenth century. Many composers clamored to dedicate their own work to Chopin as a sign of their admiration and respect. Even after his death, composers still dedicated works

When we think about the great composers, it’s easy to imagine them as super-geniuses isolated in their own little rarefied world. But of course, the great composers were only human, living and working alongside other humans. Almost all of the

A very special documentary entitled Chopin: I am Not Afraid of Darkness illustrates the power of music to transform people of all cultures. The film received an award at the 59th Golden Prague International Festival and is being screened worldwide