Frédéric Chopin was a virtuoso pianist and composer who wrote almost exclusively for the piano. A key figure of the Romantic era, his music is celebrated for its poetic quality, melodic beauty, and technical innovation, particularly his use of 'rubato' (stolen time). Despite spending much of his life in Paris, Chopin remained fiercely patriotic toward his native Poland, as seen in his Polonaises and Mazurkas. He suffered from poor health throughout his life, likely tuberculosis, which contributed to his early death at age 39. His 'Nocturnes' and 'Etudes' remain essential repertoire for every serious pianist. Chopin's ability to coax a singing, 'bel canto' quality out of the percussive nature of the piano revolutionized the instrument's expressive capabilities.