Henry Purcell was an original English composer of the late 17th century known as England's finest native composer. He composed for the church, stage, and court, and wrote music for 43 plays. Some of his masterpieces include "Dido and Aeneas" and "The Indian Queen".

3. Henry Purcell was a famousHenry Purcell was a famous
original English composer oforiginal English composer of
the time. He has often beenthe time. He has often been
called England's finest nativecalled England's finest native
composercomposer.. He composedHe composed
for the church, stage andfor the church, stage and
court. He was born incourt. He was born in
Westminster, EnglandWestminster, England.. HeHe
composed music for 43 plays.composed music for 43 plays.
Masterpieces areMasterpieces are “Dido and“Dido and
Aeneas”Aeneas”,, “The Indian Queen”“The Indian Queen”..
(1659-1695)(1659-1695)

4. Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was aAntonio Lucio Vivaldi was a
Venetian priest and BaroqueVenetian priest and Baroque
music composer, as well as amusic composer, as well as a
famous virtuoso violinist.famous virtuoso violinist.
The FourSeasonsThe FourSeasons (1723), a(1723), a
series of fourviolin concerti,series of fourviolin concerti,
is his best-known workand ais his best-known workand a
highly popularBaroquehighly popularBaroque
music piece. Hismusic piece. His
compositions include: overcompositions include: over
500 concerti, 46 operas,500 concerti, 46 operas,
simonies, 73 sonatas,simonies, 73 sonatas,
chambermusic, sacredchambermusic, sacred
music.music.
(1678-1741)(1678-1741)

5. Johann Sebastian Bach was aJohann Sebastian Bach was a
prolificprolific German composerandGerman composerand
organistorganist whose sacred andwhose sacred and
secularworks forchoir,secularworks forchoir,
orchestra, and solo instrumentsorchestra, and solo instruments
drew togetherthe strands of thedrew togetherthe strands of the
Baroque period and brought itBaroque period and brought it
to its ultimate maturity.to its ultimate maturity.
Although he introduced no newAlthough he introduced no new
forms, he enriched theforms, he enriched the
prevailing German style with aprevailing German style with a
robust contrapuntal technique.robust contrapuntal technique.
He is now widely considered toHe is now widely considered to
be one of the greatestbe one of the greatest
composers in the Westerncomposers in the Western
(1685-1750)(1685-1750)

6. Franz Joseph Haydn was one ofFranz Joseph Haydn was one of
the most prominent composers ofthe most prominent composers of
the classical period, and is calledthe classical period, and is called
by some theby some the "Fatherof the"Fatherof the
Symphony"Symphony" and "Fatherof theand "Fatherof the
String Quartet". A life-longString Quartet". A life-long
resident of Austria, Haydn spentresident of Austria, Haydn spent
most of his careeras a courtmost of his careeras a court
musician forthe wealthymusician forthe wealthy
Hungarian Esterházy family onHungarian Esterházy family on
theirremote estate. Isolated fromtheirremote estate. Isolated from
othercomposers and trends inothercomposers and trends in
music until the laterpart of hismusic until the laterpart of his
long life, he was, as he put it,long life, he was, as he put it,
"forced to become original"."forced to become original".
(1732-1809)(1732-1809)

7. Antonio Salieri was an ItalianAntonio Salieri was an Italian
composerand conductor. Ascomposerand conductor. As
the Austrian imperialthe Austrian imperial
Kapellmeisterfrom1788 toKapellmeisterfrom1788 to
1824, he was one of the most1824, he was one of the most
important and famousimportant and famous
musicians of his time. The mostmusicians of his time. The most
successful of his more than 40successful of his more than 40
operas includedoperas included EuropaEuropa
riconosciutariconosciuta (1778),(1778), ArmidaArmida
(1771),(1771), La scuola de' gelosiLa scuola de' gelosi
(1778),(1778), DerRauchfangkehrerDerRauchfangkehrer
(1781),(1781), Les DanaïdesLes Danaïdes (1784),(1784),
which was first presented as awhich was first presented as a
workofworkof Gluck'sGluck's..
(1750-1825)(1750-1825)

8. The greatest AustrianThe greatest Austrian
composerWolfgangcomposerWolfgang
Amadeus Mozart lived onlyAmadeus Mozart lived only
35 years, but everybody35 years, but everybody
admires his works andadmires his works and
enjoys listening to hisenjoys listening to his
magnificent symphonies,magnificent symphonies,
concerts and operas. Hisconcerts and operas. His
output of overoutput of over 600600
compositionscompositions..
(1756-1791)(1756-1791)

9. Ludwig van BeethovenLudwig van Beethoven
was a German composerwas a German composer
and virtuoso pianist. He isand virtuoso pianist. He is
the greatest composerthe greatest composer
who everlived. Wewho everlived. We
rememberhimformanyrememberhimformany
masterpieces such asmasterpieces such as TheThe
Moonlight SonataMoonlight Sonata andand
Ninth SymphonyNinth Symphony..
(1770-1827)(1770-1827)

10. Niccolò Paganini was anNiccolò Paganini was an
Italian violinist, violist,Italian violinist, violist,
guitarist, and composer.guitarist, and composer.
He was one of the mostHe was one of the most
celebrated violin virtuosicelebrated violin virtuosi
of his time, and left hisof his time, and left his
markas one of the pillarsmarkas one of the pillars
of modern violinof modern violin
technique. Histechnique. His caprice in Acaprice in A
minor, Op. 1 No. 24minor, Op. 1 No. 24 isis
among his best knownamong his best known
compositions, and servescompositions, and serves
as inspiration forotheras inspiration forother
prominent artists fromprominent artists from
Johannes Brahms to SergeiJohannes Brahms to Sergei
Rachmaninoff.Rachmaninoff.
(1782-1840)(1782-1840)

11. Gioachino Antonio Rossini wasGioachino Antonio Rossini was
a popularItalian composera popularItalian composer
who wrote 39 operas as wellwho wrote 39 operas as well
as sacred music andas sacred music and
chambermusic. His bestchambermusic. His best
known works includeknown works include TheThe
Barberof SevilleBarberof Seville,, LaLa
CenerentolaCenerentola andand GuillaumeGuillaume
TellTell (WilliamTell).(WilliamTell).
(1792-1868)(1792-1868)

12. Franz PeterSchubert was anFranz PeterSchubert was an
Austrian composer. He wroteAustrian composer. He wrote
some 600 lieder, ninesome 600 lieder, nine
symphonies (including thesymphonies (including the
famous "famous "UnfinishedUnfinished
SymphonySymphony"), liturgical music,"), liturgical music,
operas, and a large body ofoperas, and a large body of
chamberand solo pianochamberand solo piano
music. He is particularlymusic. He is particularly
noted forhis original melodicnoted forhis original melodic
and harmonic writing. Hisand harmonic writing. His
teacherwas Antonio Salieri.teacherwas Antonio Salieri.
(1797-1828)(1797-1828)

13. Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka wasMikhail Ivanovich Glinka was
the first Russian composertothe first Russian composerto
gain wide recognition insidegain wide recognition inside
his own country, and is oftenhis own country, and is often
regarded as the fatherofregarded as the fatherof
Russian classical music.Russian classical music.
Glinka's compositions were anGlinka's compositions were an
important influence on futureimportant influence on future
Russian composers, notablyRussian composers, notably
the members of The Five,the members of The Five,
who tookGlinka's lead andwho tookGlinka's lead and
produced a distinctivelyproduced a distinctively
Russian kind of classicalRussian kind of classical
music.music.
(1804-1857)(1804-1857)

14. Felix Mendelssohn was aFelix Mendelssohn was a
German composer, pianist andGerman composer, pianist and
conductorof the earlyconductorof the early
Romantic period. He was bornRomantic period. He was born
to a notable Jewish family, theto a notable Jewish family, the
grandson of the philosophergrandson of the philosopher
Moses Mendelssohn. His workMoses Mendelssohn. His work
includes symphonies, concerti,includes symphonies, concerti,
oratorios, piano and chamberoratorios, piano and chamber
music. His best-knownmusic. His best-known
masterpiece ismasterpiece is The WeddingThe Wedding
MarchMarch. He is now among the. He is now among the
more popularcomposers of themore popularcomposers of the
Romantic era.Romantic era.
(1809-1847)(1809-1847)

15. Frédéric Chopin was a PolishFrédéric Chopin was a Polish
virtuoso pianist and pianovirtuoso pianist and piano
composerof the Romanticcomposerof the Romantic
period. Chopin invented newperiod. Chopin invented new
musical forms such as themusical forms such as the
ballade, and made majorballade, and made major
innovations to existing formsinnovations to existing forms
such as the piano sonata,such as the piano sonata,
waltz, nocturne, étude,waltz, nocturne, étude,
impromptu, and prelude. Hisimpromptu, and prelude. His
works are mainstays ofworks are mainstays of
Romanticism in 19th-centuryRomanticism in 19th-century
classical music. Hisclassical music. His mazurkasmazurkas
andand polonaisespolonaises remain theremain the
cornerstone of Polish nationalcornerstone of Polish national
classical music.classical music.
(1810-1849)(1810-1849)

16. Robert Schumann was aRobert Schumann was a
German composer, aestheteGerman composer, aesthete
and influential music critic.and influential music critic.
He is one of the most famousHe is one of the most famous
Romantic composers of theRomantic composers of the
19th century. Schumann's19th century. Schumann's
published compositions were,published compositions were,
until 1840, all forthe piano;until 1840, all forthe piano;
he latercomposed works forhe latercomposed works for
piano and orchestra, manypiano and orchestra, many
liederlieder (songs forvoice and(songs forvoice and
piano), foursymphonies, anpiano), foursymphonies, an
opera, and otherorchestral,opera, and otherorchestral,
choral and chamberworks.choral and chamberworks.
(1810-1856)(1810-1856)

17. Franz Liszt was a HungarianFranz Liszt was a Hungarian
composerand virtuoso pianistcomposerand virtuoso pianist
of the 19th century. He was aof the 19th century. He was a
renowned performerthroughoutrenowned performerthroughout
Europe, noted especially forhisEurope, noted especially forhis
showmanship and great skillshowmanship and great skill
with the piano. To this day, he iswith the piano. To this day, he is
considered by some to haveconsidered by some to have
been the greatest pianist inbeen the greatest pianist in
history. As a composer, Liszthistory. As a composer, Liszt
was one of the most prominentwas one of the most prominent
representatives of the "Newrepresentatives of the "New
German School". He left behindGerman School". He left behind
a huge oeuvre, including worksa huge oeuvre, including works
from nearly all musical genres.from nearly all musical genres.
(1811-1886)(1811-1886)

18. WilhelmRichard Wagnerwas aWilhelmRichard Wagnerwas a
German composer, conductor,German composer, conductor,
music theorist, and essayist,music theorist, and essayist,
primarily known forhis operas.primarily known forhis operas.
He transformed musical thoughtHe transformed musical thought
through his idea ofthrough his idea of
Gesamtkunstwerk("totalGesamtkunstwerk("total
artwork"), the synthesis of allartwork"), the synthesis of all
the poetic, visual, musical andthe poetic, visual, musical and
dramatic arts, epitomized by hisdramatic arts, epitomized by his
monumental four-opera cyclemonumental four-opera cycle
DerRing des NibelungenDerRing des Nibelungen (1876).(1876).
To try to stage these works as heTo try to stage these works as he
imagined them, Wagnerbuilt hisimagined them, Wagnerbuilt his
ownown opera houseopera house..
(1813-1883)(1813-1883)

19. Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco VerdiGiuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi
was an Italian Romantic composer,was an Italian Romantic composer,
mainly of opera. His works aremainly of opera. His works are
frequently performed in operafrequently performed in opera
houses throughout the world and,houses throughout the world and,
transcending the boundaries of thetranscending the boundaries of the
genre, some of his themes have longgenre, some of his themes have long
since taken root in popularculture -since taken root in popularculture -
such assuch as "La donna è mobile""La donna è mobile" fromfrom
Rigoletto,Rigoletto, "Va, pensiero""Va, pensiero" (The(The
Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) fromChorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from
Nabucco, andNabucco, and "Libiamo ne' lieti"Libiamo ne' lieti
calici"calici" (The Drinking Song) fromLa(The Drinking Song) fromLa
traviata.traviata.
(1813-1901)(1813-1901)

20. Modest PetrovichModest Petrovich
Mussorgsky was one of theMussorgsky was one of the
Russian composers knownRussian composers known
as the Five, was anas the Five, was an
innovatorof Russianinnovatorof Russian
music. Many of his majormusic. Many of his major
works were inspired byworks were inspired by
Russian history, RussianRussian history, Russian
folklore, and otherfolklore, and other
nationalist themes,nationalist themes,
including the operaincluding the opera BorisBoris
GodunovGodunov, the orchestral, the orchestral
tone poemtone poem Night on BaldNight on Bald
MountainMountain, and the piano, and the piano
suitesuite Pictures at anPictures at an
ExhibitionExhibition..
(1839-1881)(1839-1881)

21. Pyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
was a Russian composerwas a Russian composer
of the Romantic era. Heof the Romantic era. He
wrote music which waswrote music which was
distinctly Russian:distinctly Russian:
plangent, introspective,plangent, introspective,
with modally-inflectedwith modally-inflected
melody and harmony.melody and harmony.
His name is linked withHis name is linked with
an entire epoch in thean entire epoch in the
development of music.development of music.
(1840-1893)(1840-1893)

22. • The NutcrackerThe Nutcracker
•Eugene OneginEugene Onegin
•Swan LakeSwan Lake
•The Sleeping BeautyThe Sleeping Beauty
•The Romeo and JulietThe Romeo and Juliet
OvertureOverture
•The seasonsThe seasons

23. Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-
Korsakov was a RussianKorsakov was a Russian
composer, one of five Russiancomposer, one of five Russian
composers known as The Five,composers known as The Five,
and was latera teacherofand was latera teacherof
harmony and orchestration. Heharmony and orchestration. He
is particularly noted forais particularly noted fora
predilection forfolkand fairy-predilection forfolkand fairy-
tale subjects, and forhistale subjects, and forhis
extraordinary skill inextraordinary skill in
orchestration, which may haveorchestration, which may have
been influenced by hisbeen influenced by his
synesthesia. The first part of hissynesthesia. The first part of his
surname, Rimsky, is due to thesurname, Rimsky, is due to the
fact that some of his forefathersfact that some of his forefathers
undertooka pilgrimage toundertooka pilgrimage to
Rome.Rome.
(1844-1908)(1844-1908)

24. AlexanderNikolayevich ScriabinAlexanderNikolayevich Scriabin
was a Russian composerandwas a Russian composerand
pianist who developed a highlypianist who developed a highly
lyrical and idiosyncratic tonallyrical and idiosyncratic tonal
language. Driven by a poetic,language. Driven by a poetic,
philosophical and aestheticphilosophical and aesthetic
vision that bordered on thevision that bordered on the
mystical, he can be consideredmystical, he can be considered
thethe primary figure of Russianprimary figure of Russian
SymbolismSymbolism in music. The Greatin music. The Great
Soviet Encyclopedia said ofSoviet Encyclopedia said of
Scriabin that, "No composerScriabin that, "No composer
has had more scorn heaped orhas had more scorn heaped or
greaterlove bestowed..."greaterlove bestowed..."
(1872-1915)(1872-1915)

25. Sergei VasilievichSergei Vasilievich
Rachmaninoff was aRachmaninoff was a
Russian composer, pianist,Russian composer, pianist,
and conductor, one of theand conductor, one of the
last great champions of thelast great champions of the
Romantic style of EuropeanRomantic style of European
classical music.Hisclassical music.His
compositions include,compositions include,
among numerous others:among numerous others:
fourpiano concerti; thefourpiano concerti; the
Rhapsody on a Theme ofRhapsody on a Theme of
PaganiniPaganini; symphonies;; symphonies;
piano sonatas; operas; apiano sonatas; operas; a
choral symphony; manychoral symphony; many
songs, of which the mostsongs, of which the most
famous are "In the silencefamous are "In the silence
of night".of night".
(1873-1943)(1873-1943)