Chopin in Warsaw

Frédéric Chopin was born near Warsaw in 1810 of a Polish mother and a French father. He spend the first half of his life in Poland and the second half in France, but Poland definitely considers him a native son. The vast majority of Chopin's works are for solo piano, though he also wrote two piano concertos, a few chamber pieces and some songs to Polish texts. His piano works are often technically demanding, with an emphasis on nuance and expressive depth. In 2010, for the 200th Anniversary of Fryderyk Chopin’s birth, Warsaw opened a new walking route that takes you to the 15 benches throughout the city that play a Chopin piece when you push a button. By following the route you discover the areas of the capital connected with Fryderyk’s younger days. Each Chopin Bench has a description of the particular spot and information on its historic links to the composer.

Bench locations: 1. Krasiński Square – This square used to house the National Theatre building, where in March 1830 Fryderyk Chopin presented his famous Concerto in F minor. This was also where in October 1830 he played his last farewell concert before leaving the country. 2. Miodowa Street – The entire social life of the capital used to be concentrated here. The local cafes, such as Pod Kopciuszkiem, Dziurka and Honoratka - the venues of meetings for artists and young people - were visited by Chopin almost on a daily basis. 3. Kozia Street – This narrow street used to be an important transport route in Chopin’s times. The U Brzezińskiej cafe was his favourite place to visit. 4. The Music Conservatory – The place which now features a square over the East-West Underpass used to house the Music Conservatory where Fryderyk Chopin studied musical composition. 5. Wessel Palace – This was where on November 2nd 1830 Fryderyk Chopin got on a stagecoach and set out on his trip to fame – to Vienna and further to Paris. 6. Radziwiłł Palace – This was where on February 24th 1818 Fryderyk Chopin, aged 8, gave his first public performance. 7. Saski Palace – The Chopin family moved here in 1810, after Fryderyk’s father had accepted a job at the famous Warsaw Lyceum, which used to occupy part of the palace’s rooms. 8. Saski Garden – This was where the young Chopin entertained while he and his family resided at the Saski Palace (the former seat of the Warsaw Lyceum). 9. The Visitants’ Church– In Chopin’s times Sunday masses for students of the Warsaw Lyceum used to take place here, during which Fryderyk Chopin, aged 15, used to play the organ, performing the function of the Lyceum organist. 10. Kazimierzowski Palace – In 1817 the Warsaw Lyceum, and the newly-established Warsaw University, were located here. The Chopin family came to reside in the right-hand annexe (the Deputy Rector’s Building). 11. Czapski Palace – The Chopin family moved here in 1827 and Fryderyk got a room in a small garret, equipped with a piano. The former residence of the Chopin family, located on the second floor, now features the Chopin Parlour – the museum of souvenirs of the great composer. 12. Holy Cross Church – the place where Chopin’s heart rests (there is nothing to see, gruesome as it sounds). 13. Zamoyski Palace – Chopin’s sister, who gathered the souvenirs of her brother, used to live here. In 1863 an attempt on the life of a Tsar’s governor was made through the palace windows, in retaliation for which all the tenants were removed from their flats and their entire property was destroyed. Among the objects thrown through the windows and burned was Chopin’s piano. 14. Gniński - Ostrogski Palace – The seat of the Fryderyk Chopin Museum, next to which the Chopin Centre is located. 15. The Fryderyk Chopin Monument– The most famous monument of the composer in the world is located in the Łazienkowski Park, opposite the gate in Aleje Ujazdowskie, near Belvedere. Music at particular spots: Krasiński Square – MAZUREK in A minor, Op. 17 No. 4; 39” Miodowa Street - MAZUREK in A minor, Op.68; 34” Kozia Street – “HULANKA” song; 29” Music Conservatory – WALTZ in E-flat major, Op. 18; 39” Wessel Palace – GRAND POLONAISE in E-flat major, Op. 22; 35” Radziwiłł Palace - RONDO in C minor, Op.1; 32” Saski Palace - MAZUREK in B major, Op. 7 No. 1; 36” Saski Garden – NOCTURNE in H major, Op. 9 No. 3; 47” The Visitants’ Church - LARGO in E-flat major (Op. posth.); 46” Kazimierzowski Palace - WALTZ in E minor (Op. posth.); 45” Czapski Palace – WALTZ in D-flat major, Op. 64 No 1; 42” Holy Cross Church – MEMORIAL MARCH from SONATA in B minor, Op.35; 45” Zamoyski Palace – ETUDE in C minor, Op. 10 No. 12; 42” Gniński – Ostrogski Palace – BALLAD in F minor, Op. 52; 42” The Fryderyk Chopin Monument – POLONAISE in A major, Op. 40 No. 1; 39”