Address: Okolnik St., 1
Phone: 48-22-827-54-71
The Chopin Museum is situated within the Ostrogski castle built in the 17th century. The exposition of the museum is wholly dedicated to the most famous Polish composer Frederick Chopin.
Frederick Chopin was born in 1810 in the village of Zelazowa Wola, which is in 50 kilometers from Warsaw. A son of a piano tutor and lecturer, he started to take the piano lessons at the age of four. By the age of eight Chopin was already performed on the noble parties and balls. Educated in Warsaw’s lyceum, and then the Warsaw Music Conservatory, he made his official debut in 1829. He was recognized as an amazing talent. Chopin was invited to give a piano concert for the Russian Emperor Alexander I. The Emperor was very impressed by Chopin’s playing and presented him a diamond ring.
One of the features of Chopin s work is that he was creating music only for the piano. He never had a goal to write an opera or symphony, but his piano plays, waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, polonaises, ballades and other works are recognized to be just brilliant.
Chopin was a keen traveler. In 1830 he left Poland for good. While in Stuttgart, he found out that Poland had rose in rebellion against Russian rule. Dissuaded from joining the uprising himself, Chopin was inspired to write his masterpiece “Revolution”. Chopin settled in Paris, where he got acquainted with the noble society. In 1837 he met controversial author George Sand and fell in love with her. Their relationships lasted 9 years and inspired Chopin to create many romantic piano plays and nocturnes.
Chopin started to show the signs of illness in his childhood. During all his life he had poor health and was suffering from a cough. At the end of his life his tuberculosis became severe, and the composer died in 1849 at the age of only 39. His last days were darkened by the breakup with George Sand. During all his life Chopin was terrified of being buried alive. That’s why according to his will his body was cut open before burial ceremony.
Chopin was living in different countries, but he always remembered that he had only one native land, which was Poland. He loved his country, and his heart and soul always belonged to the Poland lands. According to the legend, until his dying day Chopin carried with him a lock of Sand’s hair and an urn with Polish soil. It s very symbolic that Chopin’s heart was buried in the Holy Cross Church of Warsaw, not in Paris, where is the grave of the great composer.
The Chopin museum exposition contains the composer’s music scores, correspondence, paintings, exercise books, golden watch, private possessions and other objects related to Chopin and his life. Among the most interesting exhibits of the museum are the award that 14 years old Chopin received for good behavior at school and the last piano composer ever played.