Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist who profoundly influenced music in the romantic era. He is one of the most beloved composers of piano music ever. His works are favorites of audiences and critics, and pianists beginner through professional level.
Vladimir Horowitz: Introduction and Rondo by Chopin:
He was born in Warsaw, and in 1831 moved to Paris, where he lived the rest of his life, except for travels. He never married, but had a long-term, often troubled relationship with the writer George Sand.
Lang Lang: Scherzo No. 2, Op. 31 by Chopin:
He was a renowned performer and a sought-after teacher. He maintained friendships with some of the top musicians of his day, including Franz Liszt and Robert Schumann.
Yundi Li: “Fantasie” Impromptu Op. 66 by Chopin:
Sickly for most of his life, he passed away at age 39.
Valentina Lisitsa: Etude Op. 10 No. 12 (Revolutionary) by Chopin:
His output, mostly for solo piano, was prodigious: 4 ballades, 27 études, 4 impromptus, 59 mazurkas, 22 nocturnes, 16 polonaises, 28 preludes, 4 rondos, 4 scherzos, 3 sonatas, 9 variations, 19 waltzes, 2 concertos, 19 songs, and many miscellaneous pieces.
Umi Garrett: Grande Valse Brilliante Op. 18 No. 1 by Chopin:
ARHtistic License 
I have learned to like Chopin over the years, and hope to learn to love him eventually! As a teen, I preferred Bach inventions…I have always wondered if that preference was brain led or experience led.
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You can hardly go wrong with the Bach inventions. So much for your brain to process while your fingers learn to do their thing. They are so satisfying.
In my youth I preferred baroque music. Still love it. Romantic seemed so schmaltzy. Senior year in college I took a vocal repertoire class and discovered lieder–Schumann and Brahms. They opened a new world for me.
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