10 Classical Music Composers You Need to Know
March 30, 2023
Classical music may not be the most popular genre of music today, but it's certainly still worth exploring. It’s one of those very things that you think is for the elderly, yet it’s still burgeoning with artists trying to break the status quo and redefine what was once so common.
From Bach to Beethoven and beyond, discovering classical composers can open up a whole new world of beautiful sounds. Composing geniuses have been creating beautiful masterpieces for centuries. Unfortunately, due to its complexity and age, classical music often falls second choice in today’s culture.
Even if you're not an avid fan, learning more about these timeless classics is sure to make anyone appreciate the complexity (yet beauty) of this genre! So without further ado, here are 10 famous classical music composers that you need to know!
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Among the many great classically acclaimed composers, Johannes Sebastian Bach, a German composer, stands out as a master of his craft. Not only did he compose timeless works for organ, keyboard, and choir but his inventions also served to inspire generations of artists after him. His sheer volume of work is staggering, with over 1,000 pieces written ranging from dizzyingly complicated fugues to mesmerizingly beautiful cantatas.
Bach's music has influenced countless composers throughout history. His skill and mastery of composition is renowned - volumes could be filled with the stories of how his work has resonated centuries after it was first performed. Devotees travel from around the globe to marvel at his compositions, and some have made it their life's work to promote and spread appreciation for his works far and wide. A few of his notable works include the Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations, the Art of Fugue, and the St. Matthew Passion.
Truly, it can be argued that music would not be nearly as evolved as it is today without Bach's indelible contributions to classical music.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was nothing short of a musical genius. A prodigious child with musical talent, he began composing classical music as early as the age of five.
Throughout his life, the Austrian composer Mozart composed some of the most timeless, memorable works in all of classical music, including symphonies, operas, and concertos. His music is known for its clarity, balance, and lyricism. His works have remained popular centuries later through a plethora of movies and various adaptations including "The Little Night Music," "Amadeus" and the animated production of "Rondo alla Turca.” A few of his notable works include The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Symphony No. 40 in G minor, and Requiem in D minor.
Much of his success can be accredited to his ambition and dedication; Joseph Haydn famously remarked "posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years". Now 254 years after his birth, we are still trying to keep up with the formidable legacy that Mozart left behind.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven is widely known as a legendary composer who forever changed the world of classical music. He is celebrated for his groundbreaking compositions and masterful manipulation of musical ideas. He’s a German composer who bridged the gap between two music eras, the Classical and Romantic.
Beethoven created some of the most easily recognizable melodies in musical history, such as Moonlight Sonata and Für Elise. But he was also more than just a hit maker; Beethoven challenged the traditional conventions of classical composition, inspiring fellow musicians to create more complex and progressive forms of music. His music was emotional and dramatic in power; he asked more from musicians, pushing them beyond what they thought possible. Beethoven was able to produce music that perfectly transcended the boundaries between ages and styles. His notable works include his nine symphonies, five piano concertos, piano sonatas, string quartets, and his one opera Fidelio.
His inventive spirit and love for experimentation continue to influence composers today, even after two centuries since in his death in 1827.
Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert may not be the most recognizable name but his influence in classical music is etched in the history books. His short but overlooked lifetime was overshadowed by his monumental influence on music.
With more than 600 compositions to his name, it's easy to see why he continues to be revered centuries later. An example of his great talent can be heard in the second movement of Death and the Maiden - an iconic string quartet piece with his own unique trademark style. One unique thing about Schubert’s work was his ability to squeeze an entire universe of emotions into just a few bars of music; though his life was often quite tragic, he somehow uses music to channel hope and joy into our lives even today. His notable works include his unfinished symphony, the song cycles of Winterreise and Die schöne Müllerin, the lied Erlkönig, and Death and the Maiden string quartet.
What makes Schubert's legacy so special is that he crafted many pieces quite early in life; his melodic genius truly emerged at an age when many were just starting out. For this reason, we can be forever grateful for the small glimpse into classical greatness that Franz Schubert has left behind.
Felix Mendelssohn
Few classical composers can match the appreciation and notoriety given to Felix Mendelssohn. His immense commitment to classical music made him one of the most iconic composers in history, and his works still entertain and amaze audiences across the world.
Felix is a German composer known for his prodigious talent and breathtaking melodies. Mendelssohn had an incredible gift for composition and conducting, often writing symphonies, operas, and string quartets that have enriched lives for almost two centuries. His works bridge old world charm with modern sophistication; he masterfully blended ancient styles with contemporary methods providing a cross-generational love affair between traditional harmonies and modern listening sensibilities. His instrumental compositions were renowned while he was alive, but years following his death in 1847 have seen countless performers take up his works with their own unique interpretations. His notable works include the overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the violin concerto in E minor, and his Symphony Scottish and Symphony Italian
To this day, Mendelssohn's music continues to inspire new generations of aspiring classical musicians, bringing joy and beauty through his melodies and harmonies.
Frederic Chopin
Polish composer Frederic Chopin has become known throughout the ages as one of the greatest masters of classical music.
His unique brand of piano-focused works is celebrated across the world and has transcended time - he was famed during his lifetime, and remains just as relevant today. Chopin's vast array of music included preludes, mazurkas, nocturnes, polonaises and waltzes - all infused with passion, complexity and emotion. His music is renowned for its romanticism, with complex rhythms and harmonic structures that really make it stand out.
He pioneered so many approaches to composition that are still seen today in classical works, inspiring budding composers left, right and centre. Despite passing away much too soon at just 39 years old, Frederic Chopin lives on through his legendary musical legacy - truly a great of classical music.
Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms, the great 19th century German composer and pianist, has made an indelible mark on the world of classical music. Coming from a musical family, he began his career in Vienna as a young man, with his works even praised by Franz Liszt, an influential contemporary composer and piano virtuoso.
Widely considered one of the "Three Bs" alongside Bach and Beethoven, his accomplishments are unparalleled in the history of composition. His works span multiple genres including symphonies, concertos, chamber music and piano pieces, leading to numerous awards and recognitions throughout his lifetime. His notable works include the Symphony No. 1, Symphony No. 4, the German Requiem, his Violin Concerto, and the Piano Concerto No. 2.
To this day, his compositions retain their popularity, as generations of classical lovers continue to enjoy and appreciate Brahms' artistry in its timelessness.
Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi was one of the preeminent figures of 19th century classical music, composing pieces still remembered and performed today. Born in 1813 into a rural Italian family, he received his first musical training from his local church organist.
A prolific composer from the 19th century, his contributions to music are showcased through over three dozen operas that still grace stages to this day. Through sheer hard work and dedication, Verdi rose to international acclaim and recognition for his works including La Traviata, Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, Don Carlo and Aida. His broad body of work encompasses an eclectic array of styles, from grandiose historic adaptations to contemporary romantic tales. His music has been enjoyed since by audiences around the world for its romantic melodies, thrilling arias and lush orchestration.
Verdi was heralded not just for his musical aptitude, but for his unwavering commitment to increasing the quality and recognition afforded by Italian operas as a viable source of art and entertainment. Even today more than two hundred years after his birth, Giuseppe Verdi is considered one of the most influential figures in classical music.
Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner is one of the most influential composers in classical music today. His exacting standards and innovative compositions have earned him a lasting place in musical history.
Wagner was born in Germany in 1813, and he composed everything from symphonies to operas to sonatas during his lifetime. He is particularly well known for composing the now-famous Ring Cycle tetralogy, which has been acclaimed for its beauty and innovation. Though his life was often tumultuous due to financial and legal difficulties, Richard Wagner's legacy lives on in the literature, theatre, and music of modern day classical composition.
His influence reaches beyond the usual boundaries of Classical music, as he also influenced countless contemporary figures, such as composer John Cage and filmmaker Stanley Kubrick. As one might expect from a man of his caliber, Wagner possessed tremendous skill and knowledge of composition techniques, orchestrations, and performance practices. His notable works include Der Ring des Nibelungen, Tristan und Isolde, the Flying Dutchman, and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.
From his earliest works to his final pieces, Richard Wagner can be said to have redefined what it means for music to be truly grand.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was one of the greatest composers of all time, writing some of the most iconic pieces of classical music ever produced.
An esteemed figure, Tchaikovsky's works span a huge variety of genres - from symphonies and ballets to chamber music and operas. His sweeping melodies and intricate harmonies have inspired generations of classical fans, as well as permeated popular culture through countless references in films and TV shows. Although many are familiar with the grandiose nature of his compositions, few know that he disliked performing at official concerts, or that he was terrified by his own works!
From arguably his most famous work, The Swan Lake ballet, to the ever-popular Nutcracker Suite performed during the Christmas season, Tchaikovsky's music has found lasting success centuries after its creation due to the intricate melodies, savvy instrumentation and vivid storytelling he incorporated into his pieces. Tchaikovsky is testament to the power music has to instill joy and emotion in us all, regardless of our individual capabilities as an artist.
Final Note
The masters of classical music have given us a vast amount of masterful pieces to enjoy for centuries! Many of the compositions created by these iconic composers remain just as timeless and beloved today, setting the tone for modern music. No doubt, their influence will continue to reverberate through time. From the elaborate and moving composition of Bach to the exotic melodies of Tchaikovsky, classical music remains an ever-loved genre. There are also many other greats that were not mentioned here; so once you’ve caught up on your “classics” give them some love too! Whether it’s at a concert or streaming on Spotify, show appreciation to these influential composers who remain alive in spirit through their timeless works. Now that you know the 10 classical music composers you should know about, why not take some time out of your day to listen to some of their beautiful compositions? We promise you won't regret it! And if you want to stay up to date on future blog posts or videos, please subscribe so that you don't miss out on any exciting content.
