Chopin predicted great things for this young New Orleans-born pianist who came to Paris to study at the age of 13. Born May 8, 1829, he eventually became the first American virtuoso to travel extensively, first in Europe, then later in Latin America. He was apparently something of a roue, and he collapsed on stage during a performance in Rio, dying a few weeks later at the age of 40.
There is something quintessentially New World about his compositions (even when he's not quoting Stephen Foster). He was not terribly prolific, and he's not terribly well known anymore, but his his music is infectious. Try some.
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