I.

Introduction

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849), Polish composer and pianist of the romantic school, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of piano music. Chopin is among the few composers to have written almost exclusively for the solo piano. He never wrote a symphony, an opera, or a choral piece; he did not produce a single string quartet. But dozens of his works, in a dozen or more forms—mazurkas, polonaises, ballades, nocturnes, etudes (exercises or studies), scherzos, waltzes, and others—are now standard compositions for keyboard. Chopin was an unconventional musician who frequently abandoned the classical rules and disciplines. He created new harmonies and pioneered new musical forms in which to present his musical ideas.