Józef Elsner
Józef Elsner (
June 1,
1769 -
April 18,
1854), was a
Polish composer and professor of music remembered today primarily as the teacher of composer
Frédéric Chopin. From
1799 until
1824 Elsner was the principal conductor at the
National Theatre in
Warsaw. He composed several operas that had their premieres at this theatre. Elsner was also a teacher at the
Warsaw Lyceum.
From
1823 to
1829 he taught Chopin
music theory and composition. He wrote of Chopin in his diary at the time: "Chopin, Frederic, third year student, amazing capabilities, musical genius." Chopin dedicated his first
sonata, the Sonata in C Minor Op. 4, and his Variations Op. 2 to Józef Elsner.
