Frederic Franciszek Chopin was born at Zelazowa Wola, near Warsaw, on either 1st March 1810 or, as his certificate of baptism states, 22 February 1810. He was the 2nd of four children born to Nicolas Chopin and Justyna Krzyzanowska. Fryderyk's childhood, despite the recent political upheavals in Poland, was a safe and happy one. The family moved to Warsaw in October 1810, where they were allocated a large apartment which also housed a school.

The young Pole may rightly be called a child prodigy. As a young man he visited the Academy of Music in Warsaw and aa a pianist he made successful concert trips through the whole of Europe. At the moment the revolution broke out and Warsaw was occupied by the russians, the celebrated composer was in Vienna. He decided to go to Paris, where he was soon accepted in its fashionable circles.

    His career expanded enormously: in the 1830's he became a much sought-after musician in the chique Paris saloons and a well-paid teacher for high society ladies. With his pale, somewhat resigned appearance and his tragic history (the 'flight' from occupied Poland, his feelings of homesickness for his lost native country) he was a grateful object for the public. Because of his virtuoso piano playing and his passionate compositions he broke many hearts. Despite the public interest, Frèdèric Chopin did not like to perform on large stages. He preferred the privacy of a living room.

    In Paris Chopin was surrounded by a circle of admirers, including the much talked-about George Sand. Their friendship developed into a relationship. George and Frèdèric lived for a while together in Malloca, where she lovingly took care of him during his deteriorating illness: tuberculosis. As a result of this illness he could not make any more concert trips and this brought him on the verge of financial ruin. In the end the relationship with George Sand also soured.

    As well as being a keyboard virtuoso, Chopin also conjured up some of the most beautiful music for the instrument the world has ever heard.