Frederic Chopin
Chopin's music in performance and perspective.
"No one before or since Chopin has contributed as many significant works for the piano's repertoire, or come closer to capturing its soul..."(read more on Chopin's life and music)
Concerts
July 13, 2011 Hear an outstanding Russian pianist play Chopin and rarely heard Rachmaninov in recital.
June 7, 2009 Hear the Gold Medalists at the Cliburn Competition, held every four years in Fort Worth, Texas.
October 18, 2006 Rafal Blechacz was in Warsaw playing Chopin's Barcarolle, Op. 60, and the Etude Op. 10, No. 8.
November 2, 2005 Rafal Blechacz became the first Pole in 30 years to win the prestigious piano competition.
August 19, 2004 Pianist Andre-Michel Schub plays music by Chopin and Ravel at SummerFest 2004 in La Jolla, Calif.
Studio Sessions
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February 6, 2013 After winning two major competitions, the 21-year-old Russian is reaching for piano perfection.
Partner Content from APM
June 4, 2012 A rising Venezuelan pianist explains how she overcame her mother's fears to pursue her destiny.
May 27, 2012 A new star out of El Sistema says that her goal in playing Chopin is honesty over prettiness.
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March 26, 2010 Hear the celebrated pianist play Chopin and Bach, and discuss their music in the NPR studio.
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March 23, 2010 Hear the young, award-winning Polish pianist play Chopin and Mozart in the NPR studio.
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March 15, 2010 Hear pianist Adam Neiman tear into the ferocious and tender music of Chopin, and a piece of his own.
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February 25, 2010 The American pianist won the Chopin Prize in 1970, and never stopped playing the composer's music.
November 5, 2008 Pianists aged 12 to 16 perform at the International Institute for Young Musicians in Lawrence, Kan.
May 13, 2005 Award-winning pianist Yundi Li performs Chopin's Scherzo No. 2 in NPR's Studio 4A.
Interviews & Profiles
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March 2, 2010 Commentator Rob Kapilow explains Chopin's condensed expression in a three-minute Mazurka.
February 28, 2010 NPR's Tom Huizenga and Guy Raz spin recordings by Polish pianists honoring their countryman.
November 22, 2009 NPR Music's Tom Huizenga and host Guy Raz spin a wide assortment of new classical CDs.
May 5, 2009 After a self-imposed 12-year exile, Horowitz triumphed at Carnegie Hall on May 9, 1965.
March 10, 2009 The late Polish pianist was an expert at revealing the heart and soul of Chopin's music.
October 23, 2008 Politicians aren't the only ones to use their influence to alter public opinion about their rivals.
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September 26, 2008 Sara Fishko explores the 5/4 time signature found in music by Tchaikovsky, Dave Brubeck and more.
January 12, 2008 The pianist talks about playing at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, and his subsequent career.
March 10, 2005 The youngest winner of a major Chopin piano competition discusses his enthusiasm for the composer.
Discover Songs
March 2, 2010 No one before or since Chopin has contributed as many significant works to the piano's repertoire.
March 1, 2010 We celebrate Chopin's 200th with an impromptu, plus music from Owen Pallett, Pantha du Prince, more.
Partner Content from WGBH
February 14, 2010 Hear the young Polish pianist play Chopin's Piano Concertos with the Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Partner Content from WGUC
December 4, 2009 This year's crop was strong for Russians, as well as a young generation of masterful musicians.
November 22, 2009 NPR Music's Tom Huizenga and host Guy Raz spin a wide assortment of new classical CDs.
May 5, 2009 After a self-imposed 12-year exile, Horowitz triumphed at Carnegie Hall on May 9, 1965.
March 10, 2009 The late Polish pianist was an expert at revealing the heart and soul of Chopin's music.
News
March 2, 2010 No one before or since Chopin has contributed as many significant works to the piano's repertoire.
March 1, 2010 No one made funeral music quite like Frederic Chopin, the Polish composer born 200 years ago Monday.
January 27, 2010 The acclaimed American pianist and composer died Saturday after an eight-decade career. He was 94.
June 7, 2009 Hear the Gold Medalists at the Cliburn Competition, held every four years in Fort Worth, Texas.
March 19, 2007 The piano was sold — and then lost — after the Polish composer died more than 150 years ago.
November 2, 2005 Rafal Blechacz became the first Pole in 30 years to win the prestigious piano competition.
Reviews
February 28, 2010 NPR's Tom Huizenga and Guy Raz spin recordings by Polish pianists honoring their countryman.
More Stories
March 4, 2013 Van Cliburn competition winners remember the great pianist, who died last month at age 78.
June 27, 2011 An idle query on Twitter ignites a fun debate.
Partner Content from WVXU
December 22, 2010 It was a good year for birthday boys Chopin and Schumann. WGUC picks some great CDs of their music.
February 28, 2010 Hear NPR contributors' favorite Chopin performances on the 200th anniversary of his birth.
