Complex sentence: Though he learned piano and violin, he was discouraged from pursuing a musical career, and entered the military; however, a performance of Tchaikovsky's "Pathétique" Symphony conducted by Arthur Nikisch in 1896 made him decide to become a composer.
Split into simpler sentences: Though he learned piano and violin, he was discouraged from pursuing a musical career, and entered the military. However, a performance of Tchaikovsky's "Pathétique" Symphony conducted by Arthur Nikisch in 1896 made him decide to become a composer.