Throughout the history of Western music, there have lived a number of exceptional talents whose accomplishments forever forged an impact on the state of music today. Classical composers such as Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin are amongst the most noticeable. Throughout his life as an esteemed composer, Frédéric Chopin endured many obstacles and successes. Fans of classical music, including Tunde Folawiyo, may be fascinated by the life and legacy of Chopin and how his musical works have proved great influence over many instances of music the world knows today.

Born in Zelazowa Wola, Poland on March 1, 1810, Frédéric Chopin expressed great talent at an early age, publishing his first musical composition at a young age 7. He began performing one year later. By the age of 8, Chopin was performing in salons and creating his own compositions which included the Polonaise in G Minor. As he reached age 16, his parents insisted he enroll in Warsaw Conservatory of Music. There, he studied under Josef Elsner, a Polish composer, for three years before travelling to Vienna. Here, he made a debut performance in 1829. His expressive performances garnered much fanfare from audiences, skyrocketing his popularity which saw him perform in several other countries including Germany and Austria amongst others. In 1832 at the age of 22, Chopin moved to Paris where he began socialising with high society, becoming known as an exceptional piano teacher. During his time in the famed city, Chopin established relationships with several other composers including Vincenzo Bellina and Felix Mendelssohn. It was also here that he composed several famed pieces such as Scherzo in B-flat minor and the Sonata in B-flat minor.

During May 1839, Chopin settled in a country home south of Paris with his love, novelist George Sand. The following years proved amongst the most productive of Chopin’s life as an artist. It was during this time that he composed several masterpieces with B Minor Sonata and the Opus 55 Nocturnes amongst them, leading to an increased income and heightened lifestyle for the composer. During 1848, Chopin’s health had deteriorated, as did his relationship with Sand. The last years of his life were spent in illness, though his legacy as one of the greatest composers of all time still stands today. Tunde Folawiyo and millions of other fans of classical music may continue to regard Chopin as one of the genre’s most renowned talents.