Chopin - Prince Of The Romantics

Episode

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

20100315

20100316 (R4)

Adam Zamoyski's biography of the brief but eventful life of the great Romantic composer Frederic Chopin, from Polish child prodigy to Paris dandy, his turbulent relationship with George Sand and his early death, penniless in Paris.

Chopin's prodigious talent as a pianist is recognised early on. But despite being lauded as the great nationalist hope in his native Poland, where his polonaises and mazurkas are inspired by the harmonies of Polish folk songs, the teenage Chopin soon becomes stifled by the provincialism of Warsaw. At 19, he leaves Poland for the temptations of bohemian Paris, never to live in his homeland again.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

20100316

20100317 (R4)

The young Chopin arrives in bohemian Paris, capital of the artistic world and home of the Romantic movement. Before long he becomes one of the most celebrated figures in Parisian society, and something of a dandy. But he longs for Poland, realising that it is unlikely he will return to his homeland again.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

The young Chopin becomes one of the most celebrated figures in Parisian society.

20100317

20100318 (R4)

Chopin meets the most notorious woman of the day, the cigar-toting, cross-dressing writer George Sand. Not long after, the two raise eyebrows in Parisian society when they become lovers. The unlikely couple set out for Majorca where ill health and the suspicions of the locals almost result in Chopin's early demise.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

Chopin and the notorious writer George Sand become lovers.

20100318

20100319 (R4)

Though Chopin is at the height of his musical powers, he is constantly plagued by ill health. And when his relationship with the notorious George Sand breaks down, he begins to lose his inspiration.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

Chopin is plagued by ill health and his relationship with George Sand breaks down.

05 LAST

20100319

20100320 (R4)

As Paris is shaken by revolution, Chopin seeks refuge in Scotland, where he is forced to fend off the attentions of several well-meaning 'Scottish Ladies'. Returning to Paris, his health deteriorates rapidly and, relying on the benevolence and support of his friends, he retreats to his apartment, where he begins to make plans for his own sumptuous funeral.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

As Paris is shaken by revolution, Chopin seeks refuge in Scotland.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	20100315	20100316 (R4)	Adam Zamoyski's biography of the brief but eventful life of the great Romantic composer Frederic Chopin, from Polish child prodigy to Paris dandy, his turbulent relationship with George Sand and his early death, penniless in Paris. Chopin's prodigious talent as a pianist is recognised early on. But despite being lauded as the great nationalist hope in his native Poland, where his polonaises and mazurkas are inspired by the harmonies of Polish folk songs, the teenage Chopin soon becomes stifled by the provincialism of Warsaw. At 19, he leaves Poland for the temptations of bohemian Paris, never to live in his homeland again. Abridged by Doreen Estall.
02	20100316	20100317 (R4)	Adam Zamoyski's biography of the brief but eventful life of the great Romantic composer Frederic Chopin, from Polish child prodigy to Paris dandy, his turbulent relationship with George Sand and his early death, penniless in Paris. The young Chopin arrives in bohemian Paris, capital of the artistic world and home of the Romantic movement. Before long he becomes one of the most celebrated figures in Parisian society, and something of a dandy. But he longs for Poland, realising that it is unlikely he will return to his homeland again. Abridged by Doreen Estall. The young Chopin becomes one of the most celebrated figures in Parisian society.
03	20100317	20100318 (R4)	Adam Zamoyski's biography of the brief but eventful life of the great Romantic composer Frederic Chopin, from Polish child prodigy to Paris dandy, his turbulent relationship with George Sand and his early death, penniless in Paris. Chopin meets the most notorious woman of the day, the cigar-toting, cross-dressing writer George Sand. Not long after, the two raise eyebrows in Parisian society when they become lovers. The unlikely couple set out for Majorca where ill health and the suspicions of the locals almost result in Chopin's early demise. Abridged by Doreen Estall. Chopin and the notorious writer George Sand become lovers.
04	20100318	20100319 (R4)	Adam Zamoyski's biography of the brief but eventful life of the great Romantic composer Frederic Chopin, from Polish child prodigy to Paris dandy, his turbulent relationship with George Sand and his early death, penniless in Paris. Though Chopin is at the height of his musical powers, he is constantly plagued by ill health. And when his relationship with the notorious George Sand breaks down, he begins to lose his inspiration. Abridged by Doreen Estall. Chopin is plagued by ill health and his relationship with George Sand breaks down.
05 LAST	20100319	20100320 (R4)	Adam Zamoyski's biography of the brief but eventful life of the great Romantic composer Frederic Chopin, from Polish child prodigy to Paris dandy, his turbulent relationship with George Sand and his early death, penniless in Paris. As Paris is shaken by revolution, Chopin seeks refuge in Scotland, where he is forced to fend off the attentions of several well-meaning 'Scottish Ladies'. Returning to Paris, his health deteriorates rapidly and, relying on the benevolence and support of his friends, he retreats to his apartment, where he begins to make plans for his own sumptuous funeral. Abridged by Doreen Estall. As Paris is shaken by revolution, Chopin seeks refuge in Scotland.