Chopin — Music that Inspires

There’s a story behind the piece below, Chopin’s “Heroic” Polonaise, performed by Vladimir Horowitz, the pianist most people deem Chopin’s pre-eminent interpreter.

Frederic Chopin was born in 1810 near Warsaw, Poland, and was known as a child prodigy as a pianist and composer when he was six years old.

By the time he was nine he had studied under every piano instructor in Warsaw.  It was common for these teachers to talk about young Frederic, some saying, “We need to break him of some of his terrible habits.”  Fortunately, one said, “Here’s an idea.  Since he plays far better than any of us, why don’t we just leave him alone?”

Russia had long ruled Poland, but in the 1820s, Russian rule grew more arbitrary, and secret societies were formed by Polish intellectuals in several cities to plot an insurrection. In November 1830, Polish troops in Warsaw rose in revolt.

Chopin had moved to Paris shortly after his 22nd birthday in 1832, where he would spend the rest of his life composing, teaching, and concertizing, but his love for his native land remained fierce.

But what could he do? Chopin was small and sickly, barely five feet tall, perhaps 90 pounds in weight. He certainly couldn’t be a physical part of an uprising, so he decided to inspire his native Poles with his compositions.

There are a few good examples of his works along these lines, but the Heroic polonaise stands by itself. When I hear it, especially performed by one of the greats, a single word comes to my mind: bravery.

Enjoy, and don’t be embarrassed if you have goosebumps on your arms and tears in your eyes.