Rating: 
Summary: The best of numerous Chopin biograpies that I have read.
Review: After reading most of the Chopin biographies, I wasn't sure that there was more I could learn. Tad Szulc offers a more personal and intimate view of this enigmatic master than any others. This is because he brings into play a great deal of material from Chopin's contempories. So much more of the relationship between George Sand is available with a much more sympathetic portrayal of Chopin's third and last great paramour. We also learn about Chopin's personal views on Beethoven, other musicians and artists, on piano pedagogy, based on discussions with his friend and the artist, Delacroix. Chopin's relationship with the Marquis de Custine, who above all others seemed able to understand the inner soul of Chopin and his music. The fact that the marquis was homosexual and perhaps adds to the empathy of one man for the expression of another does not go unnoticed though the author cautions against any inferences that Chopin may have had an intimate affair with another man. Chopin, the sensitive thinker amidst the rich turbulence of the times is portrayed through letters, correspondences and recalled conversations. Chopin is probably the most personal of all the great masters, yet he was aloof from the artistic excesses of his times, played Bach's well Tempered daily, meticulous in his composing habits and yet, a little appreciated fact emphasized by Tad Szulc that Chopin was an innovator and creator of new and important musical forms. Certainly all popular music and jazz harmonies of the 20th century are direcly derived and based on Chopin. If you love Chopin the musician, his music and fascinated with the rich artistic and political times of the early 19th century, you will treasure this book. Michael Tierra
Rating: 
Summary: Unremarkable
Review: As the ideal Chopin biography has yet to appear, I had high hopes for this book. But it looks as if Chopin fans are going to have to wait a while longer, because this one is unremarkable in every way. What appears to be a good idea in principle - a concise biography of Chopin's 18 years in Paris - breaks down due to Tad Szulc's complete inability to focus on any concept or topic. Szulc is an inept writer. His sentence structures are terrible. He seems to have nothing to say, and all day to say it. When the well really runs dry, he has a way of breaking off into obtuse generalities: "He must have been guided by destiny." I was unable to decipher so many of his ideas, sentences, and phrases that I wound up skimming the last 200 pages of the book. I read stacks of books -mostly about music- and this is the first book in years I've been unable to finish. Approach at your own risk. Me, I'll keep hoping for that elusive, comprehensive Chopin biography.
Rating:
Summary: Unremarkable
Review: As the ideal Chopin biography has yet to appear, I had high hopes for this book. But it looks as if Chopin fans are going to have to wait a while longer, because this one is unremarkable in every way. What appears to be a good idea in principle - a concise biography of Chopin's 18 years in Paris - breaks down due to Tad Szulc's complete inability to focus on any concept or topic. Szulc is an inept writer. His sentence structures are terrible. He seems to have nothing to say, and all day to say it. When the well really runs dry, he has a way of breaking off into obtuse generalities: "He must have been guided by destiny." I was unable to decipher so many of his ideas, sentences, and phrases that I wound up skimming the last 200 pages of the book. I read stacks of books -mostly about music- and this is the first book in years I've been unable to finish. Approach at your own risk. Me, I'll keep hoping for that elusive, comprehensive Chopin biography.
Rating:
Summary: An indispensable book for Chopin fans.
Review: Hesitated to get this book for a long time because of the negative feedback from previous one, two, and three star reviewers. After finally getting my hands on it, those negative comments turned out to be either untrue, or so trivial compared to the enormous amount of information provided about our great composer. It is very readable. Lots of details. Lots of quotes directly from Chopin, his friends, Sand, AND most importantly, the circumstances for their remarks. Controversial evidences and author's own opinions were usually pointed out clearly. I felt this is very necessary. If writers inject too many their imaginations, opinions, and guidance into their biography books, then 1520 years from now, nobody will know what truly happened. I hope not only Chopin's music will last for thousands of years, his life story will also be carefully preserved. In case I'm biased, you probably want to know that I'm
1. A big Chopin fan.
2. Haven't read other Chopin biographies yet (otherwise will claim to be the "biggest fan") so don't know how this one compared to others.
3. Did read "Chopin's Letter". I'll go back to read that again because this book helped me a lot understanding all the names and their roles, and the context when a letter was written.
4. English is my second language. Since this book is very readable and easy to follow for me, you might find it too plainly written but I really doubt that'll be the case.
You'll appreciate this book if you are close to my situation. Submitted on a special day -- October 17.
Rating: 
Summary: good down-to-earth account of chopin's life and personality
Review: I have read many reviews of Chopin's music and listened to as much of his music as I could get a hold of, and so I was happy to find this book which concentrates on what Chopin was like as a person. Unlike several other Chopin biographies I have read, this one was very readable and easy to follow. Through the many accounts of his comtemporaries and selections from his own letters, we have no doubt that Chopin was a very complex person. He seems petty,insecure,and prone to speaking negatively about most of the people he knew. But he also had many friends who would do anything for him. If the author can be accused of being repetitive, it is because much of Chopin's life was repetitive-living with illness with short breaks of good health,giving lessons to survive,travelling back and forth between Paris and Nohant, and composing masterpiece after masterpiece. I particulary enjoyed anecdotes such as the story of how his friend Dr. Aleksander Hoffman suggested a slow introduction to the "Winter Wind" Etude. Imagine having your little suggestion used by one of the ultimate geniuses in music in one of the greatest bravura pieces for the piano! I wonder if Chopin had Dr. Hoffman's slow intro idea in mind when he was working on the first movement of his 2nd Sonata, Op. 35-one of the greatest intros in all of music? As a musician, I could also identify with the sad account of his last public appearance, which was at a Polish benefit concert and ball in England. Chopin gave a concert after the audience had enjoyed lively dancing, and no one was in the mood to listen. Even the great Chopin was booked in a bad "gig"-a fate which any musician, who has played for the public, is bound to experience. The book is a treat for anyone who loves Chopin's music. It leaves us to wonder how music so noble,eloquent, and simply "out-of-this-world", could come from someone who had many flaws and eccentricities, and who suffered greatly throughout his adult life.
Rating:
Summary: Flawed but STILL Fascinating
Review: I'm glad I gave this book a chance because I enjoyed it quite a lot. Why only 4 stars? A good editor would have cut out some repetitious details. It's annoying, but don't let it stop you from reading it. The tragedy of Chopin's short life was consumption (tuberculosis of the lungs). You'll marvel that he could give lessons and even perform in public when he seemed to be perpetually short of breath. In this sense, it's a story of triumphing over the odds. In another sense, it's a love story, i.e., his 8 year affair with George Sand (aka Aurore Dudevant). These were years of extraordinary creativity for Chopin. Their breakup was like many another - faults on both sides, misplaced pride, lack of communication, friends taking sides, etc. Your heart will break for Chopin in this final tragedy, particularly since we all know (with the benefit of hindsight) that his time was running short and his strength was failing. And he couldn't quite forget her, pathetically asking about her through her grown children. Was she at his bedside when he breathed his last? You'll have to read the book. One test of a good book (for me) is whether it inspires and opens the door onto other books. This book easily passes that test. Not only does it make me want to read more about Chopin and his friends, but when I listen to his music, I am more moved than ever.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for any library!
Review: Mr. Szulc does a wonderful job of bringing Chopin to life in this vividly rendered biography. One relives the romatic era while reading this book. If you are not a fan of Chopin before reading this book, you will be afterwards!
Rating:
Summary: Poorly crafted.
Review: Poorly crafted book. Did not capture the true essence of the man
Rating:
Summary: Lovely Account of Great Composer
Review: Prior to reading this book I had no knowledge of this great composer or his music. If it were not for the previous good reviews of this book I would not have bothered buying a copy. I am so glad that I did, I just fell in love with this story, it was a captivating account! During the time I read this book I purchased about five CD's of Chopin's music. This is more a book of the man and his time in Paris than an in-depth account of his music, his style and his compositions. Regardless of that, you still come away after reading the book with a deeper understanding of Chopin's music and a great feeling towards the sound of his Nocturnes, Polonaises and Etudes. The author also provides a fascinating look at the society that surrounded Chopin while in Paris, so many great names come alive during this story that you come away amazed with the amount of talent that was moving in the same society and producing great books, music, art and events. This is a great story, the narrative moved you along with Chopin, during his periods of depression and illness to his highs and accounts of his compositions. My favourite is the story of Prelude No. 15 in D flat major, Opus 28, No.15 "Raindrop". I really don't think that anyone who has a love for music or Chopin would be disappointed in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: What a Disappointment!
Review: Reading this book, I couldn't help thinking that Tad Szulc had merely stapled together his notes. I persisted in reading the entire book only because of my keen interest in the subject. However, reading the book was a chore. First, it is poorly written. Whether one looks at inidividual sentences, paragraphs, chapters, or the overall plan of the book, the writing is careless. Consider the following: "[George Sand] needed not worry about money." What a clunker! Szulc seems compelled to include digressions in parentheses in every other sentence. Topic sentences typically occur at the end of paragraphs. The same material gets repeated again and again in different chapters and in virtually the same language. The chronology both within and between chapters jumps around confusingly. Second, the book is clotted with irrelevant detail. Did you know , for instance, that Delecroix, after visiting Chopin and Sand, wrote them a letter asking that they send him a pair of underwear that he had left behind? Or how about: "Leo (his friends called him Leon)..." Third and most damning, the author lacks insight and thus fails to help the reader gain insight into Chopin's character. By the end of the book, one knows bits and pieces about who Chopin was, but there is no coherent vision, no sense of knowing the man. By comparison, the recent biography of Johannes Brahms by Jan Swafford does a superb job of illuminating the character of what would seem a far more complex psyche.
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