Frédéric Chopin

Chopin only gave about thirty public performances in his entire lifetime. From all reports, his playing was extraordinary: quiet, controlled, exquisitely shaded, varying from pianissimo to mezzo forte with only a very occasional forte.

At age six, Chopin was already composing music and writing poetry.

As a child, Chopin preferred to play in the dark; sitting down at the piano, he would put out the candles. He carried this habit with him throughout his life.

Most of Chopin's works were written for solo piano.

Chopin's last words were "Mother, my poor mother."