(ˈfrɛd ə rɪk ˈʃoʊ pæn)
Born Thursday, March 1, 1810
Died Wednesday, October 17, 1849
Frédéric François Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era who wrote primarily for solo piano. He has maintained worldwide renown as a leading musician of his era, one whose "poetic genius was based on a professional technique that was without equal in his generation."