In my opinion, Chopin was the most influential composer of the 19th century, of course
after Beethoven... As I see it, he propelled the emerging Romantic era to it's greatest heights. For
me, Chopin was the beginning, middle and end of the Romantic era. Of course, this might apply
more to piano music. But for me he slam-dunked the whole era, just like Beethoven did with the
Classical era. Both men left a massive wake behind them through which no one could navigate
with equal success. As I understand it, the Romantic era in music was about a more personal and
emotional expression of music. Beethoven shocked the world with his candid and emotionally
charged music and changed music forever. What came next was an era in which composers had
new tools and freedom to express a whole new sensibility in their music. Beethoven paved the
way for composers to express a far wider range of emotionality. And thus the Romantic era was born.
-------Earlier music, of course, had......
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