Fryderyk Chopin

Birth of Chopin's elder sister Ludwika. Chopin's parents — Mikołaj (Nicolas) Chopin, who had emigrated from Lorraine to Poland in 1787, and his Polish wife Justyna, née Krzyżanowska — had met in 1802 while both in service on the Skłodowski estate at Żelazowa Wola, and married in 1806.

⚑ Following the Third Partition of Poland in 1795, the invasion of French troops leads Napoleon I to establish the Duchy of Warsaw.

♪ Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral). Spohr: Clarinet Concerto No. 1

♪ Haydn dies. Mendelssohn born. Beethoven: Piano Sonata “Les Adieux”.

Fryderyk (Frédéric) Chopin, the family's second child, is born on 1 March at Żelazowa Wola. In the autumn the family moves to Warsaw.

♪ Schumann born.

Birth of the third child, Izabela.

♪ Liszt born.

Birth of the fourth child, Emilia.

♪ Beethoven: Symphonies Nos 7 and 8

⚑ Polish troops take part in Napoleon's campaign against Russia.

Mikołaj Chopin is appointed professor. Fryderyk receives his first piano lessons from his mother.

♪ Wagner and Verdi born.

⚑ Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Leipzig.

Piano lessons with Wojciech Żywny. First compositions: Polonaises in G minor and B flat major.

First public appearance at the Radziwiłł Palace in Warsaw.

♪ Beethoven: Hammerklavier Sonata

Princess Catalani presents Chopin with a gold pocket-watch in recognition of his exceptional gift.

Piano lessons with Józef Elsner. Attends the Royal Prussian Lyceum in Warsaw.

♪ César Franck born. Schubert: Unfinished Symphony, Wanderer Fantasy

Summer holidays at Szafarnia, where Chopin comes into contact with Polish folk music.

♪ Bruckner and Smetana born. Beethoven: Symphony No. 9

Chopin improvises before the Russian Tsar on the aeolomelodicon. The Tsar presents him with a diamond ring. Rondo in C minor Op. 1

August journey to take the cure at Bad Reinerz, where he gives two benefit concerts. Begins his studies at the Warsaw Conservatory.

♪ Mendelssohn: Overture to “A Midsummer Night's Dream”

Death of his youngest sister Emilia from tuberculosis. Begins composing the Variations on Mozart's “La ci darem la mano” Op. 2.

♪ Beethoven dies. Schubert: Winterreise

Educational journey to Berlin. Piano Sonata No. 1 Op. 4. Rondo à la Krakowiak Op. 14.

♪ Schubert: last 3 piano sonatas, Great C major Symphony. Schubert dies.

Completes his studies. Elsner writes: “Chopin F., extraordinary talent, musical genius.” Public concerts in Vienna.

♪ Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words (Book 1)

Piano Concertos No. 2 in F minor and No. 1 in E minor. In November he leaves Poland, shortly before the Polish uprising.

♪ Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

⚑ Polish November Uprising against Russia.

Leaves Vienna via Munich and Stuttgart for Paris, arriving in October. First meeting with Liszt. Etudes Op. 10, Scherzo No. 1

♪ Bellini: Norma. Schumann: Papillons

⚑ The Warsaw Uprising is crushed. Beginning of the great wave of Polish intellectuals emigrating to Paris.

First concert in Paris. Introduced to the most important Parisian salons. Chopin becomes one of the most sought-after piano teachers.

♪ Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture

Reunion with his parents in Carlsbad. In Dresden he falls in love with Maria Wodzińska. First meeting with Robert Schumann and Clara Wieck. Ballade No. 1.

♪ Saint-Saëns born. Schumann: Carnaval

Secret “trial” engagement to Maria Wodzińska. First meeting with George Sand. Etudes Op. 25.

Begins his relationship with George Sand. They travel together to Majorca. 2 Polonaises Op. 40.

♪ Schumann: Kinderszenen, Kreisleriana

His tuberculosis worsens, cutting short the stay on Majorca. Preludes Op. 28. Piano Sonata No. 2. Ballade No. 2. Scherzo No. 3.

30th birthday. Decides largely to give up public concert-giving.

♪ Schumann marries Clara Wieck. Tchaikovsky born.

Much-acclaimed concert at the Salle Pleyel. Ballade No. 3, Fantaisie Op. 49, Polonaise Op. 44.

♪ Dvořák born. Schumann: Symphony No. 1

Another concert at the Salle Pleyel, a triumphant success. Polonaise Op. 53. Ballade No. 4. Scherzo No. 4.

♪ Verdi: Nabucco

His father dies in Warsaw. His own health deteriorates. Berceuse. Piano Sonata No. 3.

♪ Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto

Final stay at Nohant. Barcarolle. Polonaise-Fantaisie.

⚑ Kraków Uprising

Final break with George Sand. Cello Sonata. Waltzes Op. 64.

♪ Mendelssohn dies. Verdi: Macbeth

Last public concert at the Salle Pleyel. Journey to Britain. Concerts in Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and London.

⚑ February Revolution in France. Uprisings in Prussia and Austria.

Dies on 17 October in Paris. Funeral service at the Madeleine with Mozart's Requiem. Buried at Père-Lachaise cemetery. His heart is taken to Warsaw. Last work: Mazurka in F minor Op. 68 No. 4.

♪ Liszt: Totentanz, Piano Concerto No. 1

The monument at the Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris is erected.