The Chopin Companion is illustrated with a photograph of the composer, fourteen manuscript facsimiles, and 350 music examples. It also contains a biographical summary chart and a chronological table of the compositions. For over a hundred years the artistic reputation of Frédéric Chopin has suffered not only from the sentimental and romantic legends which surround his name but also from the distortions and misinterpretations of his works by performers. In this book, Alan Walker and ten leading composers, performers, and scholars offer detailed analyses of the works and present an honest historical portrait of their composer. The result is a comprehensive book giving a fresh view of Chopin as man and artist.