Frédéric Chopin quotes

Frédéric Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist, regarded as one of the great masters of Romantic music. His emotionally expressive works, especially for solo piano, profoundly influenced the development of classical music. He remains celebrated for his poetic style and unparalleled contributions to piano repertoire. Here are 42 of his quotes:

Time is still the best critic, and patience the best teacher.

Frédéric Chopin

Nothing is more odious than music without hidden meaning.

Frédéric Chopin

Sometimes I can only groan, and suffer, and pour out my despair at the piano.

Frédéric Chopin

I'm a revolutionary, money means nothing to me.

Frédéric Chopin

Every difficulty slurred over will be a ghost to disturb your repose later on.

Frédéric Chopin

Play Mozart in memory of me - and I will hear you.

Frédéric Chopin

I could express my feelings more easily if they could be put into the notes of music, but as the very best concert would not cover my affection for you, dear daddy, I must use the simple words of my heart, to lay before you my utmost gratitude and filial affection.

Frédéric Chopin

Concerts are never real music, you have to give up the idea of hearing in them all the most beautiful things of art.

Frédéric Chopin

My piano has not yet arrived. How did you send it? By Marseilles or by Perpignan? I dream music but I cannot make any because here there are not any pianos... in this respect this is a savage country.

Frédéric Chopin

You already know when I'm writing, so don't be surprised if it's short and dry, because I'm too hungry to write anything fat.

Frédéric Chopin

I am cross and depressed, and people bore me with their excessive attentions. I can't breathe, I can't work; I feel alone, alone, alone, although I am surrounded. There are a whole lot of ladies, 70 to 80 year-old lords, but no young folk: they are all out shooting. One can't get out of doors because it has been raining and blowing for several days.

Frédéric Chopin

I astonished Kalkbrenner, who at once asked me, was I not a pupil of Field, because I have Cramer's method and Field's touch.

Frédéric Chopin

Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties.

Frédéric Chopin

I tell my piano the things I used to tell you.

Frédéric Chopin

I wish I could throw off the thoughts which poison my happiness, but I take a kind of pleasure in indulging them.

Frédéric Chopin

It is dreadful when something weighs on your mind, not to have a soul to unburden yourself to. You know what I mean. I tell my piano the things I used to tell you.

Frédéric Chopin

Bach is an astronomer, discovering the most marvellous stars. Beethoven challenges the universe. I only try to express the soul and the heart of man.

Frédéric Chopin

When one does a thing, it appears good, otherwise one would not write it. Only later comes reflection, and one discards or accepts the thing. Time is the best censor, and patience a most excellent teacher.

Frédéric Chopin

Vienna is a handsome, lively city, and pleases me exceedingly.

Frédéric Chopin

Fingers of steel. Wrist of silk.

Frédéric Chopin

How great a joy I feel in my heart. That a day so pleasant, so dear and glorious begins, a day that I greet with the wish. That long years may pass in happiness. In health and vigour, peacefully, successfully. May the gift of heaven fall richly upon you.

Frédéric Chopin

I have met Rossini, Cherubini, Baillot, etc.-also Kalkbrenner. You would not believe how curious I was about Herz, Liszt, Hiller, etc. - They are all zero beside Kalkbrenner. I confess that I have played like Herz, but would wish to play like Kalkbrenner. If Paganini is perfection, Kalkbrenner is his equal, but in quite another style.

Frédéric Chopin