Frederic Chopin had a perfect appreciation of every effect the piano can produce, and everything he wrote seemed to be inspired by the very nature of the instrument itself. His music conveys sometimes a pain that stabs the heart and other times a whimsical lightness that is almost boyish. His waltzes, preludes, etudes and nocturnes reveal his dreamy, romantic nature and his love for new and exquisite harmonies. Originally published in 1944 in the author's larger "Encyclopedia of Musical Masterpieces: Music for the Millions," this paperback edition explores and describes Chopin's best-known works. An Introduction chronicles his life and explains what makes his music different from that of other composers.