The pianist, Byron Janis, has a moving article celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Chopin. Here is an excerpt:

Chopin’s own words perhaps best describe him: “Bach is like an astronomer who, with the help of ciphers, finds the most wonderful stars. Beethoven infuses the universe with the power of his spirit. I do not climb so high. A long time ago, I decided my universe would be the soul and heart of man.”Chopin knew that climbing higher was not the only way to reach heaven.