Chopin’s Piano – A Journey Through Romanticism (New Book)

Chopin’s Piano – A Journey Through Romanticism is a new book that has been published by Paul Kildea (conductor, author and biographer).

Books about pianos often explore a particular facet of the instrument—its history, how it works, its effect on society, its contribution to the world of music. Kildea’s book takes a refreshingly different approach.

In November 1838 Frederic Chopin, novelist George Sand and her two children sailed to Majorca to escape the Parisian winter. During his stay at Valldemossa, in the mountains above Palma, Chopin completed one of his finest and revolutionary works of musical Romanticism – his 24 Preludes. And he composed his work on a small pianino (small upright piano, around four feet high, six and a half octave keyboard) built by a local craftsman Juan Bauza (due to lack of availability of a decent piano on the island).

Before leaving for Majorca, Chopin had ordered a pianino from French piano maker Pleyel, but it got delayed in transit, and that is why Chopin used a locally built instrument (manufactured by Juan Bauza).

Kildea says, “It possessed no technological pretensions: it was unable to support thicker or longer strings, greater tensions, or a larger compass, its wooden frame and iron bracing a hostage to the island’s fierce climate. Yet it had its own beauty, and in any case was a rare artefact : a pianino in Majorca in the 1830s.”

Though the book traces the history of Chopin’s 24 Preludes, the instruments on which they were played, the pianists who interpreted them and the traditions they came to represent, Kildea’s book essentially focuses on this one instrument, the Majorcan pianino. The surprise hero of the second part of the book is the great keyboard player Wanda Landowska, who rescued the Bauza pianino from Valldemossa in 1913.

The book is mix of cultural history and detective story, and makes for an entertaining and informative read (even if you’re not a great fan of Chopin).

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KeytarHQ Editorial Team

KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.