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Frederic Chopin: His Life, Letters, and Works: Volume I
This collection of literature attempts to compile many of the classic, timeless works that have stood the test of time and offer them at a reduced, affordable price, in an attractive volume so that everyone can enjoy them.
- GenresHistory
72 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1938
19 people want to read
About the author
Maurycy Karasowski
29 booksMaurycy Karasowski was a Polish composer, cellist, and music critic.
He worked in the Warsaw theater orchestra. From 1864, he lived in Dresden. He published several books on musical topics and also wrote for the press. His wife, Aleksandra Józefa née Lind, daughter of Samuel, assisted him in his work on books about Chopin.
He worked in the Warsaw theater orchestra. From 1864, he lived in Dresden. He published several books on musical topics and also wrote for the press. His wife, Aleksandra Józefa née Lind, daughter of Samuel, assisted him in his work on books about Chopin.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 26, 2026
I love that this biography is so old, it really puts things in a different perspective to anything written in 21st, or even 20th century.
I wish the letters were quoted in full, they paint such an amazing picture of Chopin's personal life! I can't say how well the translation into English holds up, but it really struck me how little the Polish language has changed since the early 1820s and 1830s. Some phrases used by Frycek in his letters to his family are things I would say to my sisters in jest, those made me laugh the hardest.
Also, the letters to Tytus Woyciechowski? Holy shit, if I read them at the impressionable age of 16 when I was prepping for the local contest of knowledge about Chopin on the occasion of his 200th birthday, well. My life might've been slightly different now (and I came 2nd in that contest, I'll have you know). I could TELL there was something queer going on based on his relationships with Liszt and George Sand, but with those letters to Tytus at my disposal? I would've realised some things about myself much sooner, I think, and probably found my footing in the queer history field much earlier. Better late than never, though!
Excited to see what other interesting tidbits I'll find out in Volume II!
I wish the letters were quoted in full, they paint such an amazing picture of Chopin's personal life! I can't say how well the translation into English holds up, but it really struck me how little the Polish language has changed since the early 1820s and 1830s. Some phrases used by Frycek in his letters to his family are things I would say to my sisters in jest, those made me laugh the hardest.
Also, the letters to Tytus Woyciechowski? Holy shit, if I read them at the impressionable age of 16 when I was prepping for the local contest of knowledge about Chopin on the occasion of his 200th birthday, well. My life might've been slightly different now (and I came 2nd in that contest, I'll have you know). I could TELL there was something queer going on based on his relationships with Liszt and George Sand, but with those letters to Tytus at my disposal? I would've realised some things about myself much sooner, I think, and probably found my footing in the queer history field much earlier. Better late than never, though!
Excited to see what other interesting tidbits I'll find out in Volume II!
April 4, 2009
I've just read some snippets so far, but I love reading the translated letters and accounts from contemporaries.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews