200 years on for Chopin

from w
Two hundred years ago a little boy was born in Poland to a Polish mother and a French father, to grow up to be a wonderful composer of piano music, the kind of music every child who learns classical music, will know well as it is in the accepted repertoire. Frederick Chopin's compositions were written primarily for the piano as solo instrument. Though technically demanding, they emphasize emotion rather than sheer virtuosity. Chopin invented the instrumental ballade and made innovations in the piano sonata, mazurka, waltz, nocturne, polonaise, étude, impromptu and prélude. I probably have played more Chopin than any other classical composer, and even with old fingers the music is still manageable.