Frédéric Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist who is considered one of the greatest Romantic composers. He began composing at age 7 and performing at age 8. Chopin came from a musically talented family, with both his father and mother playing instruments. By age 15, he had enthralled audiences in Warsaw with his skill at the piano. Later in life, Chopin moved to Paris and had a successful concert career, composing many mazurkas, études, preludes, waltzes, and sonatas during his time there. However, his career was cut short when he passed away in 1849 at the young age of 39.