The Life of Chopin Paperback – January 10, 2010

A book full of flowery language. I always thought of Liszt as a composer not as an author!Chapter 5 has more detail about the character of Chopin, “The character of Chopin, in none of its numerous folds, concealed a single movement, a single impulse, which was not dictated by the nicest sense of honor, the most delicate appreciation of affection.”Interesting Vocabulary fauteuil - Buried in a fauteuil, with her arms resting upon a table, sat Madame Sand - (more about her in chapter 7) eclat - Shortly after his arrival in Paris, in 1832, a new school was formed both in literature and music, and youthful talent appeared, which shook off with eclat the yoke of ancient formulas. Fraxinella - the secret whispers which his delicate ear had caught from the reserved yet impassioned hearts, which indeed resemble the Fraxinella, that plant so full of burning and vivid life, that its flowers are always surrounded by a gas as subtle as inflammable.

Liszt, in his own melodramatic, extra way, recounts the music and life of Chopin in a rare, eyewitness biography.Valuable as a biography written by an actual friend of Chopin, who can accurately describe his personality, appearance, and conversations.So what if he shamelessly quotes “Lucrezia Floriani” descriptions of Prince Karol and pretends they are describing Chopin, or spends half the book explaining how attractive Polish women are? As a historical study this book shows much of Liszt as well: apparently he was convinced the Floriani portrayal was Chopin, and he was very much in love with his Polish girlfriend Princess Carolyne. Carolyne is assumed to have ghostwritten this book, but I can’t imagine her going on about the caresses of Polish women. I credit Liszt with writing this book, otherwise half of it wouldn’t be about hot women.This book also analyzes several Chopin pieces and describes the polonaise and mazurka dances to give excellent background information on the music.

Haven't read yet. This is a Free Kindle book. Thank You, Amazon and Kindle!

Dense. Very interesting but not compelling enough to complete it. Other reviewers take many other aspects of this to be a problem, but mine was just the density of the prose vs. the value of the content and meaning. It certainly gave interesting depictions of the royalty and elite of Poland and how their culture of throwing dance parties was the inspiration for some of the various forms Chopin wrote, however to plod through to get only that, and certainly nothing really compelling or biographical of the "Life" of Chopin; more of an opinion of the times surrounding him, with mentions of Chopin and his piano pieces.

Liszt knew Chopin, which makes this slim volume a treasure. However: as much as I appreciate the author's musical compositions and vision, this book is written in an insanely florid style with myriad digressions. The real discussion starts at about Chapter VI, page 58 of 91. Enjoy.

This biography was written by a friend, admirer, and fellow artist - Franz Liszt. he writes so well that you feel like you have known Chopin. Liszt doesn't spare the analysis, even the flaws or weaknesses, but places them in perspective of Chopin's life. It held my attention and I was unable to stop reading for any length of time. It is far superior to the other biographies or portrayals of Chopin's life,rather a sad one despite his brilliance.

My mother read this....she liked it but then we are of Polish Heritage so there you go.

Good book

This is a G-E-M!!! Imagine; it is written by a contemporary-(i wonder why it is not more well known...?) and by such a FAMOUS contemporary! It is a touching memento by Liszt who's style of writing is poignant- especially when descriping the final months of Chopins life.This book also reveals Liszt's wonderful character; since their relationship towards the end of Chopins life had become somewhat cooler(at least privately Chopin expressed some uncomplimentary views of Liszt, perhaps Liszt wasn't aware of that?) it reveals that he nevertheless admired him to the end and was willing to give Chopin all the credit. His writing reveals NO negative or envious undertones, in fact he even higlights some obscure facets of Chopins art (namely the songs).It is also interesting how such an important figure of the 19th century-a contemporary- saw Chopin. Liszt for example tends to emphasise Chopins "modernism", his "romanticism" and considers the classical-oriented works (concertos-sonatas) as less important. Nowadays the before-mentioned works have become very popular, but those at least for LISZT- a contemporary- did not represent the essential Chopin. And in the end, maybe he wasn't so wrong after all?I feel that this book has been belittled nowadays. Maybe there remains still some silly Chopin-Liszt-rivalry in the minds of some people? It is silly, becouse Chopin was- as far as timeline alone considered -an important EARLY romantic composer, a PREDECESSOR of- for example- Schumann who's chamber works particularly had yet to be composed. Chopins concertos and early chamber works were composed RIGHT AFTER the late works by Beethoven and Schubert undoubtedly making an impact, not only on Schumann but also even on Mendelssohn, as can be seen in the demanding piano texture of the d-minor trio.Chopin was, after all a precocius talent, who's style was well established before he was twenty. And he was- in addition of his solo works for piano- a composer of major works such as the two concertos, which were heard in symphony-concerts played by such eminent artists as Clara Wieck; his works were known in the musical-circles of central-Europe.As Liszt himself acknowlidges, this book is a literary monument erected by a contemporary of Chopin. And that is what makes it so invaluable!

Bought as a gift. Seemed very well received. Pleased with purchase.

its ok

The book is very enlightening on the actual music of Chopin. However for the general reader like myself a more biographical account was what I needed.

luv