Frederic Francois Chopin was born on February 22, 1810 in a small Polish village, not far from Warsaw. His French father played the violin and the flute and his Polish mother played the piano. When Chopin was only six years old he began to take music lessons. Everyone was amazed by his musical abilities at such a young age.

Chopin's older sister often helped him at the piano. Chopin could play beautiful pieces from Bach and Mozart. He also created his own wonderful compositions. He began to give recitals in private homes when he was only seven years old. When he was nine years old, he preformed a piano concerto for a public audience.

Chopin entered the Warsaw Conservatory a few years later and studied under a teacher named Josef Elsner. Chopin's skill and technique were obvious to his teacher and he encouraged Chopin's abilities.

After his first concert, he instructed a few students. He became well- known throughout the city of Paris. Chopin was a perfectionist and worked very slowly. He composed many nocturnes, ballads, etudes, waltzes, mazurkas and polonaises. He had the ability to move an audience to tears.

He devoted the last few years of his life, to raising money for Poland. Chopin died on October 17, 1890. He was surrounded by his close friends when he was in Paris dying. Many people loved Chopin, and were crushed for years and years about his death.