Chopin

Biography

Frédéric Chopin is described by Dolge as 'that most poetic of all composers, and, in his day, boldest of all performers.' His admiration for the Pleyel piano, combined with his personal friendship with its maker, is said to have controlled his choices to such a degree that he would not play on any other instrument if a Pleyel was available to him. No further biographical detail—dates, other anecdotes, or specific pianos—is given about Chopin in this portion of the text. A portrait of Chopin accompanies this passage. Chopin, called "that poetic performer on the piano," is noted for having refused to play the Erard grand pianos containing the celebrated repetition action, because his fingers were used to the stiff percussion of the English action. The author points out the irony that English makers of concert grand pianos would go on to adopt the very Erard action that Chopin had disdained.

Highlights

• Refused to play Erard grand pianos fitted with the celebrated repetition action because his fingers were accustomed to the stiff percussion of the English action
• Described as the most poetic of composers and, in his day, the boldest performer
• Refused to play any piano other than a Pleyel if one was available, out of admiration and personal friendship with the maker

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), pp. 79, 80.

Public domain.