Frederic Chopin.

The musical talent of Fryderyk became apparent extremely early on, and it was compared with the childhood genius of Mozart. Already at the age of 7, Fryderyk was the author of two polonaises (in G minor and B flat major), the first being published in the engraving workshop of Father Cybulski. The prodigy was featured in the Warsaw newspapers, and "little Chopin" became the attraction and ornament of receptions given in the aristocratic salons of the capital. He also began giving public charity concerts. His first professional piano lessons, given to him by Wojciech Zywny (b. 1756 in Bohemia), lasted from 1816 to 1822, when the teacher was no longer able to give any more help to the pupil whose skills surpassed his own. The further development of Fryderyk's talent was supervised by Wilhelm Würfel (b.1791 in Bohemia), the renowned pianist and professor at the Warsaw Conservatory who was to offer valuable, although irregular, advice as regards playing the piano and organ. By the late 1820s, Chopin had won a great reputation as a piano virtuoso and composer of piano pieces. He toured Europe, giving concert performances acclaimed by audiences and critics. In 1831 he arrived in Paris where he became well known as a pianist, teacher and composer. In 1838 Chopin began to suffer from tuberculosis. He died in Paris in 1849 at the age of just 39. Chopin's music has many references to his Polish origin. His mazurkas reflect the rhythms and melodies of Polish folk music, and his polonaises convey the heroic spirit of Poland occupied by other countries during his life. He composed ballades, scherzos, waltzes and etudes. His music is lyrical and romantic, very original with harmony, subtlety and poetic beauty.