Classical music is a form of art music that is deep-rooted within the traditions of Western culture that includes both religious and secular music and has roots from the 6th Century AD to the present day, however, the timeframe where most of the well-known composers have practiced is during 1550 to 1900, known as the common practice period and had been influenced through many eras such as medieval, renaissance, baroque, classical and romantic eras.
The works of classical composers will always exhibit complexity within their uses of counterpoint, form, harmonies, musical development, orchestration, phrasing, rhythm, and texture.
There are hundreds of classical composers all equally talented and awe-inspiring, however, this article will bring you the ten greatest composers of all time.
- Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Born in Eisenach in Germany Johann Bach were a major figure of the baroque era and one of the most musical geniuses to ever grace the world and its ears with his sublime musicality. He is a composer who is held in high esteem due to his technicality, the complexity that shines through his music, and the sheer beauty of it and it is this quality that has made him number one on our list. He is most famous for works such as the well-tempered clavier, Tocatta, and Fugue in D minor.
2. Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
Born in Oranienbaum on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, which is situated west of Saint Petersburg to a father who was an opera singer and a mother whose father was a high ranking official. He was of Polish-Russian descent and took to music at an early age which resulted in him having piano lessons from the age of 9. By the age of 15, Stravinsky had fully mastered Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and finished a piano reduction of a string quartet by Alexander Glazunov, who supposedly considered Stravinsky unmusical and thought very little of his skills.
He famously composed works spanning three musical periods, the Russian, the Neoclassical and the Serial and is most famous for works such as Funeral song, Feu D’artifice, Apollon Musagete, Persephone and Symphony of Psalms. He obtained a star on the Hollywood Hall of Fame and Died in New York City in 1971. After his death, he was posthumously inducted into the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame.
3. Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
Born in Bonn in Belgium he was the grandson of Ludwig Van Beethoven, also a musician. He had obvious musical talent as a child and at first, was taught by his father who was known for being harsh and doctorial before being taught by Christian Gottlob Neefe. At the age of 21, he moved to Vienna and studied composition under Haydn.
His work encompasses both classical and romantic period and his music is the most performed of the classical composers and he is also one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music, this is no mean feat considering he was deaf himself and couldn’t hear his work. His most famous work includes minuet in G Major, Symphony No 5 in E Flat, Symphony No 7 I, and Symphony No 8 In F Major.
4. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Born in Salzburg, Austria as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, he was one of the most prolific and influential composers during the classical periods. During his career, he composed over 600 songs in a catalogue that is rich, sonorous, compelling, and technically fantastic. Compared to the other composers on this list he lived a half-life as he died in his thirties, however, his music seems to be nothing short of pure magic and the understanding he had music and how to apply that is a skill that simply cannot be taught and that other composers simply do not have, even managing to put a comic element into some of his classical masterpieces. His most famous works include String Quartet No 19 in C, Piano Concerto No 21 in C, Solemn Vespers, and The Marriage of Figaro.
5. Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Born in Bohemia in the Austrian Empire to Jewish parents, Mahler was a romantic composer as well as being one of the leading conductors of his generation. He has been responsible for some of the greatest symphonies since Beethoven and had an exceptional command of compositional technique. His music took a more modern approach and is filled with the uncertainties and doubts that humankind face without ever falling into despair. His most famous works are Furst Symphony and Symphony No 5.
6. Richard Wagner (1813-1893)
Born in Leipzig Germany, he took his first lessons in harmony in 1828 with Christian Gottlieb Muller and received instruction in piano from his Latin teacher. The composer of epic operas, the scale of his imagination is simply stunning and he created spectacular imagery in his music that is both revolutionary and unsurpassed. His famous works include The Ring and Tristan and Isolde.
7. Maurice Ravel (1875- 1937)
Born in France, both him as an individual and his music are incredibly original. His music is lighthearted and written to enchant the listener. He is a composer that is loved by both adults and alike for his musical masterpieces. His most famous work is Le Tombeau de Couperin.
8. Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Born in England, he is a composer of choral works, opera, and song. His works are a marriage of excellent skill and emotion that allows listeners to be completely carried away on the journey. His most famous works include Les Illuminations and Tema “Sacher”.
9. Olivier Messiaeh (1908-1992)
Born in France his work took inspiration from birdsong, serialism, and gamelan. Filled with kaleidoscope harmonies and enchanting imagery, even more enchanting when it is learned that he suffered from synaesthesia, where he saw colors whenever he heard sounds. His music is nothing short of spiritual as he blends ethereal and majestic chords. His most famous work is Turongalila Symphonie.
10. Edward Elgar (1857 – 1934)
Born in England, Elgar shows wonderful combinations of both lyricism and evokes pure unadulterated emotion. His work is not only lyrically perfect but also profoundly optimistic. His most famous works include Nimrod and Symphony No1.
