Q 01/05

In which village, 46 kilometres west of Warsaw, was Chopin born in 1810?

A) Kazimierz Dolny

B) Brochów Wielki

C) Żelazowa Wola

D) Szafarnia Dolna

Answer · why

C) Żelazowa Wola

The parish record says 22 February, but the family used 1 March, now generally accepted.

Q 02/05

From which region of France had Chopin's father Nicolas emigrated to Poland in 1787?

A) Provence

B) Brittany

C) Alsace

D) Lorraine

Answer · why

D) Lorraine

He was sixteen at the time and became so devoted to Poland that he insisted on Polish being spoken at home.

Q 03/05

How many public performances did Chopin give after settling in Paris?

A) About 3

B) About 30

C) About 100

D) About 300

Answer · why

B) About 30

He preferred salons and his own apartment, and supported himself by teaching and selling compositions.

Q 04/05

Who was Chopin's first professional music tutor, from 1816 to 1821?

A) Wojciech Żywny

B) Józef Elsner

C) Ignaz Moscheles

D) Wilhelm Würfel

Answer · why

A) Wojciech Żywny

The Czech-born pianist received the dedication of Chopin's earliest surviving manuscript, a polonaise of 1821.

Q 05/05

By what age had Chopin begun giving public concerts?

A) Four

B) Fourteen

C) Ten

D) Seven

Answer · why

D) Seven

He composed two polonaises the same year, 1817.