There’s a story behind the piece below, Chopin’s “Heroic” Polonaise, performed by Vladimir Horowitz, the pianist most people deem to be the world’s top interpreter of Chopin.
Frederic Chopin was born in 1810 near Warsaw, Poland, and was known as a child prodigy as a pianist and composer by the time he was six or seven.
Russia had long ruled Poland, but in the 1820s, Russian rule grew more arbitrary, and secret societies were formed by Polish intellectuals in several cities to plot an insurrection. In November 1830, Polish troops in Warsaw rose in revolt.
Chopin moved to Paris shortly after his 22nd birthday, where he would spend the rest of his life composing, teaching, and concertizing, but his love for his native land remained fierce.
But what could he do? Chopin was a small and sickly person, barely five feet tall, perhaps 90 pounds in weight. He certainly couldn’t be a physical part of an uprising, but he could inspire his native Poles with his compositions.
There are a few good examples of his works along these lines, but the Heroic polonaise stands by itself. When I hear it, a single word comes to fore: bravery.
Enjoy, and don’t be embarrassed if you have goosebumps.
Some people may be, but, to a person, the foreigners I’ve met are deeply saddened, and terrified of the consequences of the Trump regime.
Their feeling is simply that America re-elected a convicted felon, rapist, and traitor who attempted to overthrow the U.S. federal government. If we’re willing to do that, we’re capable of anything, regardless of how depraved.
I’ve never understood why those who compose total bullshit like this don’t go for the gusto. Why 95% and not 99% or 100%?
Trump’s actual approval rating among Republicans is somewhere between 75% and 80%, as can be easily verified by anyone on Earth with a cell phone or computer. That number continues to dwindle, as he faces more pressure regarding the war, gas prices, child rape, etc.
Obviously, the president’s supporters are suckers for his lies, but isn’t this a bit over the top?
I get a call every week or so from someone working for a start-up in oil exploration, hoping that I’ll invest. I guess my name and cell number got collected somehow from various online searches I’ve made.
I’m always quick to explain, “Oh, sorry, I don’t support wrecking the planet, even if I can profit from it. Neither should you. Bye now.”
-
Greenhouse Gases2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Climate Change1 year ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Greenhouse Gases1 year ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Climate Change2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Renewable Energy11 months agoSending Progressive Philanthropist George Soros to Prison?
-
Climate Change2 years ago
Bill Discounting Climate Change in Florida’s Energy Policy Awaits DeSantis’ Approval
-
Greenhouse Gases1 year ago
嘉宾来稿：探究火山喷发如何影响气候预测
-
Carbon Footprint2 years agoUS SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rules Spur Renewed Interest in Carbon Credits