Let’s take you to a place in time where Chopin was at his last. He was writing some of the finest piano music during these last few years, but in another corner, he proved to be quite distant with friends and his live-in girlfriend or companion George Sand. By 1843, his output of piano work had diminished significantly due to poor health. His mouth and tonsils were swollen and hurting. Chopin’s works output started to decline in 1842. In 1841, he published more than a dozen pieces that were just spectacular. In 1842, his input shrunk to six works being done during his writing time. Add to the fact that the works were quite a bit shorter and less detailed. This probably was due to lack of concentration. In 1843, there were only six shorter works composed followed by much rest. In 1844, he only had the energy to compose one work. One of the most famous works composed during his decline was Sonata Op. 58. It has this interesting descending in seconds harmonically. It starts in B minor and rises up to E (a weird harmonic leap) and then goes down to D, C, and back to B minor. Then, in the second movement it moves to the parallel minor (B minor) and goes from there.It was definitely innovative for its time.
By 1846, he gave one of his last ever concerts as his popularity started to wane. His students started to drop off slowly too. This caused him to have some trouble financially. The combination of everything tumbling down, he wanted a family member with him as he died. 23 of the manuscripts that Chopin had written and not published made their way to a publisher’s desk in the years following his death including the last few sonatas Op. 66-73 and 17 Polish Dances. It is so amazing to see a composer who was so prolific for the piano or in composition alone. It makes me want to break my laziness and get more work done!
