Chopin was a Polish composer and pianist. He grew up in Warsaw and settled in Paris at age 21. In his short career, he composed over 230 works, mostly for solo piano. His works embrace many types of music: nocturne, mazurka, waltz, polonaise, étude, prelude, ballade, sonata etc. He exploited the piano’s potential and was said to have brought out the soul of the instrument. His works are often technically demanding but heart-achingly touching, conveying limitless and timeless human feelings. Some well-known works include: ‘Fantaisie-Impromptu’, ‘Sonatas No. 2 & 3’, and ‘Ballade No. 4’.

Liszt was a Hungarian composer and pianist. He was considered the greatest pianist of his time. During 1830-1848, he toured extensively in Europe, giving over 1,000 concerts. His virtuosity, handsome physicality and intense charisma casted such spells over his audiences that the term ‘Lisztomania’ was invented for him. Liszt stopped touring after 1848 to focus on composing. He was a prolific composer who composed over 700 works for the piano. His works are technically difficult and forward-looking. Some popular compositions include: ‘Hungarian Rhapsodies’, ‘La Campanella’, and ‘Transcendental Études’.

Schumann was a German composer, pianist and music critic. He showed talent and passion in music at young age, but complying with family wishes, went on to study law in college. Before long, he decided to pursue music and was resolved to become a pianist. However, he had to switch to composing after a hand injury. His compositions were exclusively for piano before 1840. In 1840, he married the gifted pianist and composer Clara Wieck and wrote many songs and piano music to convey his depths of love for her. Schumann’s music is often programmatic - telling a story with music. Some renowned works include: ‘Carnaval’, ‘Kinderszenen’, and ‘Symphonic Studies’.