The classical music world rejoices today, as we celebrate the 200th
birthday of Poland’s Frederic Chopin (1810-1849). This afternoon,
we’ll have four distinct hours of Chopin’s music, each covering a
different aspect of his magnificent output.
In the 3 pm hour, we’ll listen to his two finest piano sonatas: Nos. 2 and 3, performed by Helene Grimaud and Murray Perahia.
At 4, we explore Chopin’s Polish roots through some of his early works for piano and orchestra.
From 5 to 6, we hear homage to Chopin given by other composers,
highlighted by Rachmaninoff’s set of variations on Chopin’s C Minor
Prelude.
Finally, at 6, we explore Chopin’s love of the cello, the only solo
instrument other than the human voice that he ever paired with the
piano.