Music composers biography

He wrote in many of the forms current in England at the time, including various types of sacred and secular polyphony. He helped the development of Anglican church music, and also secular vocal music with his use of Tudor consort and keyboard fantasia. Henry Purcell English composer of the Baroque period. Purcell wrote some early baroque classics such as Te Deum and Jubilate Deo.

Bach — German composer of the Baroque period. One of the most prolific composers of all time. Bach brought Baroque music to its pinnacle of musical maturity. George Frederick Handel — German-born composer who spent a lot of time in England. He wrote operas and oratorios. Joseph Haydn — Prolific Austrian composer of the classical period.

He helped develop chamber music such as the piano trio and string quartet. Also wrote amongst first extensive symphonies and contributed to the development of sonata. Mozart — Austrian classical composer. He composed over pieces, including symphonies, operas e. Piano Concerto no. Beethoven — German composer and pianist of the classical and romantic period.

Another prodigious genius. His greatest works include his Symphonies No. Gioachino Rossini — Italian composer. Rossini wrote 38 great operas, transforming the opera into its modern form. Franz Schubert — Austrian composer who bridged the classical and romantic periods. One of the few composers to evoke the spirit of Mozart, especially in his work — Symphony number 5.

Schubert composed seven symphonies sacred music, operas and piano music. He was also a great composer of secular vocal songs. Famous works include his immortal version of Ave Maria D. Hector Berlioz — French composer of the Romantic period. He made significant contributions to the romantic period and the development of the modern orchestra.

Pioneering the English oratorio style, he elevated choral music to new heights. His profound understanding of dramatic expression and melodic richness left an indelible mark on Western classical music. Franz Schubert Franz Schubert , the Austrian classical composer of the 19th century, left an enduring legacy through his profound contributions to the Romantic movement.

Renowned for his mastery of lieder and German art songs, Schubert composed over songs that explored the depths of human emotion. Despite a tragically short life, his impact on the evolution of classical music endures, solidifying Schubert as a pivotal figure whose artistry continues to captivate and inspire across the centuries. Igor Stravinsky Watch this video on YouTube.

Courtesy of YouTube Igor Stravinsky , the Russian composer, conductor, and ballet innovator, reshaped the landscape of 20th-century music. His enduring influence transcends genres, reflecting a creative spirit that continues to inspire generations of composers and redefine the boundaries of classical and contemporary music. Giuseppe Verdi Giuseppe Verdi the eminent Italian opera composer, profoundly shaped the world of classical music and was born in A towering figure in the development of Italian opera during the 19th century, he navigated themes of love, betrayal, and political intrigue with unparalleled skill.

As a professor at the National Conservatory of Music in America, his impact extended beyond his compositions, influencing generations of musicians. Sergei Rachmaninoff Sergei Rachmaninoff, the Russian composer and virtuoso pianist , left an indelible mark on the Romantic era with his lush and expressive compositions. Renowned for his emotive prowess, Rachmaninoff created timeless works that resonate with passion and grandeur.

His Piano Concerto No. His enduring legacy reflects an artistic brilliance that continues to inspire admiration and awe in the world of classical music. Richard Wagner Watch this video on YouTube. His legacy extends beyond the confines of traditional opera, solidifying Wagner as a seminal figure whose artistic vision continues to shape the trajectory of classical and theatrical arts.

Johannes Brahms Johannes Brahms, the German composer and pianist of the Romantic era, left an indelible mark on classical music. Renowned for his symphonies, chamber music, and choral compositions, Brahms skillfully blended emotional depth with classical form. Rejecting the more flamboyant trends of his time, he remained steadfast in his dedication to structural clarity and traditional craftsmanship.

His enduring contributions to the symphonic repertoire and commitment to classical principles have solidified Brahms as a central figure in the history of Western classical music. Aaron Copland Watch this video on YouTube. Courtesy of YouTube Aaron Copland, the American composer, played a pivotal role in shaping the identity of American classical music.

Gustav Mahler Gustav Mahler, the Austrian composer and conductor, left an indelible imprint on the transition from the Romantic to the modern era. His compositions, such as the monumental Symphony No. As a conductor, Mahler held prominent positions with leading orchestras, influencing interpretation and performance practice. His pioneering spirit and ambitious symphonic structures bridged the gap between epochs, leaving an enduring legacy that has solidified him as a crucial figure in the evolution of classical music.

Franz Liszt Watch this video on YouTube. Courtesy of YouTube Franz Liszt, the Hungarian composer and virtuoso pianist, stands as a transformative figure in the realm of classical music. His influence extended beyond the keyboard, shaping the Romantic era and laying the groundwork for future generations of musicians. Edward Elgar Edward Elgar, the English composer, left an indelible mark on the musical landscape, becoming a symbol of English nationalism.

His ability to capture the essence of English sentiment and tradition contributed to his status as a cultural icon. Stravinsky was a genius whose Rite, and works like The Firebird and Petrushka, sound as unexpected and spectacular today as they did at the turn of the century. Chopin was a great Romantic composer and keyboard virtuoso. His solo piano music remains some of the finest there is, his seminal works being his preludes, nocturnes and virtuosic waltzes.

He never liked the idea of asking them for money, though, so would look away while they left the fee on his mantelpiece. Read more: 10 of the best Romantic composers in classical music history. Ralph Vaughan Williams was one of the most important composers of the 20th century. The English composer drew on the influences of English folk song and Tudor polyphony, and he was at the centre of reviving British orchestral music over a career that spanned more than six decades.

His orchestral works The Lark Ascending and Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis , as well as his symphonies, remain incredibly popular with audiences today, often dominating top spots in the annual Classic FM Hall of Fame. Read more: Why does everyone love The Lark Ascending? Beach would start her composing career astonishingly early too. Read more: Amy Beach, the first American woman to publish a symphony.

By the time he was 12, German composer Mendelssohn already had four operas, 12 string symphonies and a large quantity of chamber and piano music under his belt. He was prodigiously talented, and he continued to produce stunning music as his career progressed. Mendelssohn is also responsible for reviving interest in the work of all-time-great, J.

Bach — right at the top of this list — so we owe him a lot. He wrote 15 symphonies, numerous operas and ballets, and instrumental and orchestral works, as well as soundtracks for early cinema. Read more: 10 of the best 20th-century composers. Going back a little to the Romantic era now, and Johannes Brahms undoubtedly defined the period.

Without the deep drama and fire-and-brimstone revolution of Beethoven , perhaps, and no flash and virtuosity of the likes of Liszt and Chopin , Brahms was a dignified symphonist, and a truly great composer of chamber music and piano pieces. American composer, Philip Glass , champions minimalism in music. Minimalism is a genre where composers take a simple musical idea — it can be a rhythm, or a set of notes — and repeat it again and again, with very slow variation or development taking place throughout a piece.

Glass studied composition with Darius Milhaud and Nadia Boulanger , among others, and found his distinctive voice with works like the opera Einstein on the Beach and his chamber music work Glassworks , as well as music for film including Koyaanisqatsi , The Hours and Notes on a Scandal. Yep, Williams was with us.

Music composers biography

Dinosaurs stomping through a misjudged theme park in Jurassic Park in the s? Williams again. Broomsticks swerving and snitches flitting around the wizard Harry Potter in the s? A true legend and perfecter of the craft of 20th and 21st-century film music.