Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Poland

Birth

:

September 25, 1765 in Guzow, Poland

Death

:

October 15, 1833 in Florence, Italy

Period

:

Classical

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Michal Kleofas Oginski was a prominent composer and pianist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was born on October 25, 1765, in Guzów, Poland, to a noble family. His father, Janusz Oginski, was a renowned diplomat and military commander, while his mother, Konstancja Czartoryska, was a member of one of the most influential families in Poland. Oginski showed an early interest in music and began his musical education at a young age. He received his first piano lessons from his mother and later studied with the famous Italian composer and pianist, Giuseppe Sarti. He also received training in composition from the renowned Polish composer, Józef Elsner. In 1785, Oginski made his debut as a pianist in Warsaw, performing his own compositions. He quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso pianist and composer, and his music was well-received by audiences and critics alike. He went on to perform throughout Europe, including in Vienna, Paris, and London. Oginski's music was heavily influenced by the classical style of Mozart and Haydn, but he also incorporated elements of Polish folk music into his compositions. His most famous work is the Polonaise in A-flat major, also known as the "Farewell to the Homeland." The piece was written in 1794, after Oginski had to flee Poland due to the Russian invasion. The Polonaise is a poignant and emotional tribute to his homeland, and it has become an iconic piece of Polish music. In addition to his piano compositions, Oginski also wrote operas, ballets, and chamber music. His opera, "Zelis et Valcour," was premiered in Paris in 1798 and was well-received by audiences. He also wrote several ballets, including "La Fête de Vénus," which was performed at the Paris Opera in 1801. Oginski was a prolific composer, and his works were widely published and performed during his lifetime. However, his career was cut short by a tragic event in 1814. While traveling in Italy, he was attacked and robbed by bandits, and he suffered a severe head injury. He never fully recovered from the injury and was forced to retire from music. Despite his premature retirement, Oginski's music continued to be popular in Poland and throughout Europe. His legacy as a composer and pianist has endured, and his music remains an important part of the classical repertoire. In recognition of his contributions to Polish culture, he was posthumously awarded the Order of the White Eagle, the highest honor in Poland. Michal Kleofas Oginski died on October 15, 1833, in Florence, Italy.

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