[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11548]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF FREDERIC CHOPIN

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                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 1999

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the occasion of the 150th 
anniversary of the death of one of the world's most enduring musicians. 
Frederic Chopin. Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola, a village six miles 
from Warsaw, Poland on March 1, 1810. He suffered from tuberculosis and 
died in Paris at the age of 39 on October 17, 1849. This year his life 
and work will be celebrated around the world, and it brings me and my 
Polish heritage great pride to recognize this event.
  Chopin's abilities were recognized at an early age. At 9, he played a 
concerto at a public concert. He published his first composition at 15. 
And at the age of 21, Chopin moved to Paris where he was well-received. 
He taught piano lessons and often played in private homes, preferring 
this to public concerts.
  One of the best-known and best-loved composers of the romantic 
period, Chopin was devoted to the piano, and his more than 200 
compositions demonstrate his grace and skill. And his admirers included 
fellow composer Franz List and Robert Schumann. Chopin reportedly fell 
deeply in love with the novelist George Sand (Aurore Dudevant), and he 
described her as his inspiration.
  His works include two sets of etudes, two sonatas, four ballads, many 
pieces he titled preludes, impromptus, or scherzos, and a great number 
of dances. Included among the latter are a number of waltzes, but also 
mazurkas and six polonaises, dances from his native Poland. Some of 
these dance pieces are among Chopin's best-known works, including the 
Polonaise in A-flat major and the Waltz in C-sharp minor.
  Among Chopin's most engaging works are the Preludes. Intended to 
serve as improvised beginnings to an intimate recital, these pieces 
range from gentle melancholy to the dramatic. Many of Chopin's most 
beautiful compositions come from the series of short, reflective pieces 
he called nocturnes. His nocturnes were usually gentle with a flowing 
bass and demonstrate Chopin's flair for elegant, song-like melodies.
  Indeed, Chopin composed some of the most beautiful piano music ever 
written, and I applaud those who will pay tribute to this remarkable 
composer and his Polish heritage in this important anniversary year.

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