Chopin had one formal teacher in piano, Wojciech (Adalbert) Zywny, and quickly passing that teacher's abilities to instruct. Chopin was then consulted every so often by others in piano, but mainly focused on independent study in piano. Chopin did have a formal education in music, however, at the local university and it's music conservatory. The head of the school, a Polish composer named Joseph Elsner, gave Chopin private instruction in Music Theory. Chopin received instruction in areas of harmony and composition while at the conservatory.
Having never left Poland for an extended period of time, Chopin finally left to see Berlin and Vienna in 1828 and 1829. Chopin found public success in Vienna and decided to relocate there after a brief return to Warsaw. The relocation to Vienna was short, however, as military interest in Austria grew and it became clear Chopin was near a future war zone. Chopin decided to relocate a second time to Paris, where he spent the rest of his life.
Chopin was not the only Pole in Paris. Several exiles from the Russian takeover of Poland had also relocated to France, which gave Chopin some contacts there. It was his Viennesse contacts, however, which allowed Chopin to befriend Franz Liszt, Hector Berlioz and Robert Schumann, among others. The friendships in Paris became important when Chopin exercised principle over convenience and decided to defy the Czar of Russia's edict that passports be extended in the Russian embassy. This refusal to comply made Chopin a political refugee and prohibited Chopin from ever returning to his home, where his parents still resided.
Many people have questioned Chopin's sexuality, although many ignorant people assume his relationship with George Sand is conclusive proof. Chopin actually had three serious relationships in his life. After a relationship with Constantia Gladkowska in Warsaw, Chopin became engaged to Maria Wodzijska while in Dresden. The two didn't marry, however, and close to the end of the relationship, Chopin met a writer who had a pseudonym since females were unable to effectively publish works in the day. George Sand was the pseudonym for Amandine-aurore-lucile (lucie) Dudevant, née Dupin. Aurore (George) was a mother of two children who had divorced her husband after commencing love affairs with her neighbor and a friend. Chopin was one of her many lovers and influences on her life.
During a trip in the winter of 1838, Chopin contracted tubercolosis. Despite being ill, Chopin continued to work and produce many works, several of which are among his most famous. Still weak from his illness, Chopin moved into Sand's home in Nohant. Chopin would spend his winters in Paris, but all other seasons in Sand's manor until 1847, when one of Sand's children, Solange, caused a problem between the lovers and they split for good.
Chopin did not take the break-up well and stopped composing for the most part, although he did compose some small works. His health deteriorated after a trip to England and Scotland and he died in October of the following year, 1849.
Most of Chopin's works are written for solo piano. They include 55 mazurkas; 27 études; 26 preludes; 21 nocturnes; 20 waltzes; 17 Polish songs; 16 polonaises; 3 sonatas; 4 ballades; 4 scherzos; 4 impromptus; and many individual pieces.
