CHOPIN, FREDERIC FRANVOIS, a Polish composer and pianist, born near Warsaw in 1810. His musical education began when he was still a mere boy and before he was 9 years of age he played in public. In August, 1829, he gave two concerts in Vienna and his playing was widely praised by many musical celebrities who were present. This was followed by concerts in Warsaw, Munich, and other cities. As a result of the Russian occupation of Warsaw in 1831 he removed to Paris, which was his home for the next 18 years. During this period he was surrounded by many men and women of genius and talent and he was one of the most conspicuous figures of this circle. During his resi dence in Paris he wrote and published many important musical compositions. He made also frequent appearances as a pianist. In 1835 he visited Germany, Leipsic, and other cities, and in the same year made a trip to England, which, while it lasted only 11 days, was sufficient to develop the germs of con sumption. In 1837 he met George Sand
who was then living separately from her husband. Chopin was at the time ill and she undertook to nurse him, and, in the years following, they lived in Paris, where they were both conspicuous in social and musical circles. A break in their relations came in 1847 as the result of a quarrel. Chopin continued to give concerts in spite of the fact that he continually grew weaker physically. He visited London again in 1848. He died in Chopin is considered to be the creator 'of a new style of writing for the piano, and his achievements as a com poser entitle him to a foremost place among the masters of music.