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- 1810-1849. Polish composer and pianist. He
- made his debut as a pianist at the age of
- eight. As a performer, Chopin revolutionized
- the technique of pianoforte-playing, turning
- the hands outward and favoring a light,
- responsive touch. His compositions for piano,
- which include two concertos and other works
- with orchestra, are characterized by great
- volatility of mood, and rhythmic fluidity.
- From 1831 he lived in Paris, where he became
- known in the fashionable salons, although he
- rarely performed in public. In 1836 the
- composer Liszt introduced him to Madame
- Dudevant (George Sand), with whom he had a
- close relationship 1838-46. During this time
- she nursed him in Majorca for tuberculosis,
- while he composed intensively and for a time
- regained his health. His music was used as
- the basis of the ballet Les Sylphides by
- Fokine 1909 and orchestrated by Alexander
- Gretchaninov (1864-1956), a pupil of
- Rimsky-Korsakov.
- He died 17 Oct 1849, and was buried in Père
- Lachaise cemetery in Paris.
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