Composer of the Week: Frédéric/Fryderyk Chopin!

Chopin holds a very dear place in my heart.  

As a person, Chopin held Paris in his heart to the point that he re-spelled his name to look more Parisian (Frédéric) than his native Polish spelling (Fryderyk).  Instead of showing a picture of Chopin this week, I'll show you when I saw his grave at the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris:

Poland claims that, though Paris holds Chopin's body, they possess Chopin's heart.

(this may be folklore)

Miss Liz blowing a kiss to Chopin - Summer 2008

Chopin was a French-loving, Romantic Era, Polish composer.  He is often called the most pianistic composer & wrote so many works for the piano: Concerti, Preludes, Mazurkas, Nocturnes, Etudes, Polonaises, Sonatas, Impromptus, etc.  I wanted to share one of the first pieces I ever played by Chopin:

Prelude in D-flat Major (Raindrop Prelude) by Chopin

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Questions:

There seems to be a story in this piece with raindrops as the backdrop - what seems to happen in the middle of the piece?

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What do you think this performer is thinking while he plays?

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Does the main theme or beginning of the piece return at the end?

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Is there another country you'd like to visit or live in like Chopin?

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Have a lovely week!

Musically Yours,

Miss Liz & Henrietta the Cat