Nearly 300 letters reveal Chopin as both man and artist and illuminate his fascinating world — Europe of the 1830s and 1840s. "Delightful gossip . . . merry rather than malicious . . . engagingly witty." — Books. Preface. Index.

An intricately plotted mystery and an engrossing story imbued with the foggy atmosphere of post-Communist Prague, the third book in the Walter Presents Library is a bewitching mystery about a woman who claims to transcribe music from the ghost of Chopin. Prague, 1995: Vera Foltynova, a widow in her late 50s, claims to receive visits from the ghost of great composer Frederic Chopin. What's more, she declares that Chopin has dictated dozens of compositions to her, to allow the world to hear the sublime music he was unable to create in his own short life. Many dismiss her story as a ridiculous hoax, while others swear that the music has the same beauty and refinement as the work of the dead master. Ludvik Slany, a secret police agent-turned-television journalist, is assigned to make a documentary debunking Vera's claims. He arrives in Prague ready to uncover a scam, but the more he subtly tries to trick her into giving herself away, the more he begins to think he may be witnessing a genuine miracle... The Ghost of Frederic Chopin is an engrossing story of music, faith and the ghosts of the past.

Reproduction of the original: Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician by Frederick Niecks

In his comprehensive work, 'Frederick Chopin, as a Man and Musician,' Frederick Niecks delves deep into the life and art of one of the most influential composers of the Romantic era. Niecks expertly combines biographical details with musical analysis to provide readers with a rich understanding of Chopin's legacy. The book showcases Niecks' meticulous research and deep appreciation for Chopin's works, making it a valuable resource for music enthusiasts and scholars alike. Niecks' elegant prose captures the essence of Chopin's music and his impact on the musical landscape of the 19th century.As a musicologist and historian, Frederick Niecks was well-equipped to undertake the task of exploring Chopin's life and music. His understanding of the cultural and artistic movements of the time enriches the narrative, offering readers a nuanced portrait of Chopin as both a man and a musician. Niecks' passion for his subject shines through in every chapter, making this book an engaging and enlightening read for anyone interested in classical music and Chopin's oeuvre.I highly recommend 'Frederick Chopin, as a Man and Musician' to music lovers, students of music history, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of one of the most revered composers in classical music. Niecks' thorough research and insightful commentary make this book a must-read for aficionados of Chopin's timeless compositions.

"The Frédéric Chopin Annik LaFarge presents here is not the melancholy, sickly, romantic figure so often portrayed. The artist she discovered is, instead, a purely independent spirit: an innovator who created a new musical language, an autodidact who became a spiritually generous, trailblazing teacher, a stalwart patriot during a time of revolution and exile. In Chasing Chopin she follows in his footsteps during the three years, 1837-1840, when he composed his iconic "Funeral March"-dum dum da dum-using its composition story to illuminate the key themes of his life: a deep attachment to his Polish homeland; his complex relationship with writer George Sand; their harrowing but consequential sojourn on Majorca; the rapidly developing technology of the piano, which enabled his unique tone and voice; social and political revolution in 1830s Paris; friendship with other artists, from the famous Eugène Delacroix to the lesser known, yet notorious in his time, Marquis de Custine. Each of these threads-musical, political, social, personal-is woven through the "Funeral March" in Chopin's Opus 35 sonata, a melody so famous it's known around the world even to people who know nothing about classical music. But it is not, as LaFarge discovered, the piece of music we think we know. As part of her research into Chopin's world, then and now, LaFarge visited piano makers, monuments, churches, and archives; she talked to scholars, jazz musicians, video game makers, software developers, music teachers, theater directors, and of course dozens of pianists. The result is extraordinary: an engrossing, page-turning work of musical discovery and an artful portrayal of a man whose work and life continue to inspire artists and cultural innovators in astonishing ways"--