At a young age, he started performing at private soirées and writing his own music. Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin was a Polish composer and pianist during the Romantic period. He was born on March 1, 1810 in Poland and died on October 17, 1849 in Paris, France. He went on to become one of music’s “greatest tone poets.”
An excerpt from Chopin’s Letters
“Nothing is more odious than music without hidden meaning. Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties…
Sometimes I can only groan, and suffer, and pour out my despair at the piano.
When one does a thing, it appears good, otherwise one would not write it. Only later comes reflection, and one discards or accepts the thing. Time is the best censor, and patience a most excellent teacher.
I wish I could throw off the thoughts which poison my happiness, but I take a kind of pleasure in indulging them.
Time is the best of critics; and patience the best of teachers.
Simplicity is the final achievement. After having gone through all the difficulties, having played an endless number of notes, it is simplicity that matters, with all its charm. It is the final seal on Art. Anyone who strives for this to begin with will be disappointed. You cannot begin at the end.”