Music Set #211 - Chopin DoB+200

200^th Anniversary of the Birth of Chopin

Fryderyk Chopin 

[1810 – 1849]

With a French father and a Polish mother, Chopin regarded Poland his motherland.

On 10/10/10, a concert in commemoration of the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Chopin (birthday on March 1) was held in the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. The selection of works was very unusual. The following are the same pieces available on YouTube, but by other performers.
       
              

Polish Songs / Chants Polonais [op.74]

Where 18 of the 19 Chopin’s Polish songs were nicely sung: soprano, tenor or baritone, solo.  Here are 3:

* No.1 - A Maiden’s Wish: "A maiden longing to be transformed into the sun and a bird, so that she could near her beloved’s window all day long." 

* No.11 - Two Deaths: "Separated from one and other, a maiden and her Cossack lover died prematurely.  While the maiden spent her last moment surrounded by grieving loved ones, the soldier’s body was accompanied by wolves and ravens in the field."  

* No.4 - A Drinking Song by 4 singers in turn.   

Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano in G minor [op.8]

Where niece Winty was on the violin, though not in the following:
Mvt.1 Allegro con fuoco
Mvt.2 Scherzo con motto
Mvt.3 Adagio sostenuto
Mvt.4 Finale: Allegretto 

Godowsky’s version of Chopin’s Etudes / 練習曲

* Op.10 no.6   Notice anything unusual?
* Op.10 no.11 

* Op.25 no.3 

* Op.25 no.2 

* Op.10 no.3   Notice anything unusual?   "Tristesse" (Sadness) – Chanson de L’Adieu (Farewell Song)