FREDERIC CHOPIN
Musical Genius

"A world-renowned composer, great pianist, and a romantic marked by the stigma of disease - this Chopin as we know him. Here the author, the eminent critic and theorist of music, Boguslaw Kaczynski, presents Chopin in a different light. The unique characteristics of his style spin the warm and colourful tale of Chopin's family life, his creative path and the authority figures that played an important role in the life of the composer. It shows both Chopin in the company of his closest friends and that of other great artists of the era; in the comfort of his home and in the salons of the European cultural elite. He sketches the portrait of a sensitive man with alternating moods, experiencing stormy passions, and yet completely devoted to his creative work and teaching."
The book contains over 400 illustrations, reproductions of musical works and paintings, reprints of letters, press clippings and copies of many other documents. An additiona CD contains nine works of Frederic Chopin performed by the famous pianist Arthur Rubinstein, accompanied by The London Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Sir John Barbiroli. These recordings include Piano Concerto in F minor, op. 21.