One of the most well-known Romantic composers, Frederic Chopin, was born in the village of Żelazowa Wola, in what was then the Duchy of Warsaw, on the 1st of March in 1810.
Although his mother taught piano, Chopin was first instructed by his older sister, Ludwika. He began taking from his first professional tutor, Wojciech Żywny, at the age of 7 but quickly surpassed his teacher’s abilities. It was also at age 7 that Chopin wrote his first compositions: Polonaises in G minor and B-flat major. Throughout his life he composed 15 other Polonaises, one with orchestra accompaniment, and one for cello with accompanying piano.
Chopin moved to Paris in September 1831, and began lessons in an attempt to gain entrance and notice within the musical society. During his time in Paris Chopin taught many students as well as performing in various capacities.
For most of his life Chopin was ill and sickly, struggling with tuberculosis. He died at age 39 in Paris from the disease. Frederic Chopin wrote an astonishing number of songs, more than 50 mazurkas alone, considering the short time he lived.
