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Composer Profiles

Image by Maria Lupan
Here you will find quick-glance profiles for a range of composers from different eras! This page is under development; more composers will be added! Each profile gives the composer's name, years of birth and death, country of birth, what they are famous for, three facts about them, and three of their works.

Note: The countries of birth given are based on modern geographical borders. In some cases, borders/country names/etc. were different during the composers' lives.
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Bach, Johann Sebastian

1685-1750
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Country of birth:

Germany

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Famous for:

His intricate and profound compositions that enriched Baroque music with unparalleled complexity and emotional depth.

Three facts:

  1. Known for his exceptional skill in various musical forms.

  2. He came from a family of musicians and held prestigious positions as a composer and musician in Germany.

  3. His works spanned sacred and secular music and are still influential today.

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Three compositions:

  1. Goldberg Variations

  2. Mass in B Minor

  3. Well-Tempered Clavier

Bach

Beach, Amy

1867-1944
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Country of birth:

USA​

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Famous for:

Being the first successful American female composer of large-scale art music.

Three facts:

  1. Pioneering composer and pianist of the late 19th/early 20th centuries.

  2. She became the first American woman to compose a symphony performed by a major orchestra: "Gaelic Symphony"

  3. Despite societal norms of her time, her compositions encompassed a wide range of genres.

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Three compositions:

  1. Gaelic Symphony

  2. Piano Concerto in C-sharp minor

  3. "Ah, Love, but a Day" (song)

Beach

van Beethoven, Ludwig

1770-1827
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Country of birth:

Germany​

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Famous for:

Revolutionising classical music with his innovative compositions and breaking traditional musical boundaries.

Three facts:

  1. German composer and pianist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

  2. He composed nine symphonies, each a groundbreaking masterpiece.

  3. He continued to compose even after becoming deaf, leaving an enduring legacy of musical genius.

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Three compositions:

  1. Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 (Choral Symphony)

  2. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2 (Moonlight Sonata)

  3. String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135

Beethoven

von Bingen, Hildegard

c. 1098-1179
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Country of birth:

Germany​

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Famous for:

Her significant contributions to medieval music as a composer, writer, and visionary abbess.

Three facts:

  1. Medieval German composer, theologian, and polymath.

  2. Composed a vast collection of liturgical music, including chants and hymns.

  3. Hildegard's visionary writings and holistic views on healing continue to influence diverse fields to this day.

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Three compositions:

  1. Ordo Virtutum (Play of the Virtues)

  2. O vis aeternitatis (O power of eternity)

  3. Columba aspexit (The dove glanced)

Hildegard

Debussy, Claude

1862-1918
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Country of birth:

France​

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Famous for:

His innovative and evocative style of classical music.

Three facts:

  1. He experimented with non-traditional scales and harmonies, expanding the possibilities of tonal language.

  2. His approach to music ushered in the era of modern classical composition.

  3. His artistic philosophy emphasised capturing emotions and atmospheres, as seen in his  influential body of work.

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Three compositions:

  1. Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune

  2. Arabesque No. 1

  3. Children's Corner

Debussy

Dvořák, Antonín

1841-1904
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Country of birth:

Czech Republic​

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Famous for:

Incorporating Czech folk music influences into his classical compositions, creating a distinct nationalistic musical style.

Three facts:

  1. His music played a crucial role in promoting Czech national identity during a period of political change.

  2. He was deeply influenced by both traditional Czech folk music and the broader European Romantic style.

  3. He considered music to be universal, and incorporated elements from various cultures in order to "bridge" local and international musical trends.

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Three compositions:

  1. Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World")

  2. Slavonic Dances

  3. Cello Concerto in B minor

Dvorak

Handel, George Frideric

1685-1759
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Country of birth:

Germany​

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Famous for:

His enduring contributions to Baroque music, particularly his masterful oratorios and operas.

Three facts:

  1. A German-English composer, Handel is celebrated for his prolific output across various Baroque musical forms.

  2. His mastery of blending intricate melodies with dramatic contrasts is evident in his compositions.

  3. He was pivotal in shaping the operatic and oratorio traditions of his time.

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Three compositions:

  1. Water Music

  2. Music for the Royal Fireworks

  3. Rinaldo

Handel

de Machaut, Guillaume

1300-1377
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Country of birth:

France​

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Famous for:

Being a medieval composer and poet who made significant contributions to both music and literature.

Three facts:

  1. Guillaume de Machaut was a leading figure of the Ars Nova, a period of innovation in medieval music.

  2. He is known for his unique role as a composer, poet, and cleric, showcasing his multifaceted talents.

  3. Machaut's works often integrated intricate polyphony, shaping the development of Western music.

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Three compositions:

  1. Messe de Nostre Dame

  2. Le Voir Dit

  3. La Messe de Nostre Dame

de Machaut

Mahler, Gustav

1860-1911
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Country of birth:

Czech Republic​

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Famous for:

Being a late Romantic composer and conductor known for his emotionally charged symphonies and innovative orchestration.

Three facts:

  1. Gustav Mahler's symphonies are notable for their vast emotional scope and exploration of human experience.

  2. He held prominent positions as a conductor in major European opera houses.

  3. Mahler's compositions often blend folk elements and profound philosophical themes, showcasing his deeply introspective style.

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Three compositions:

  1. Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection"

  2. Kindertotenlieder (Songs on the Death of Children)

  3. Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth)

Mahler

Monteverdi, Claudio

1567-1643
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Country of birth:

Italy​

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Famous for:

Being a pivotal figure in the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque era, credited with shaping the development of opera and vocal music.

Three facts:

  1. Claudio Monteverdi's opera "L'Orfeo" is considered one of the earliest and most significant works in the operatic genre.

  2. He played a crucial role in bridging the gap between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque monody, which emphasized solo singing with expressive accompaniments.

  3. His compositions showed an emotional resonance and mastery of text setting, influencing the trajectory of vocal music.

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Three compositions:

  1. L'Orfeo

  2. Vespro della Beata Vergine (Vespers of the Blessed Virgin)

  3. Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses to his Homeland)

Monteverdi

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

1756-1791
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Country of birth:

Austria​

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Famous for:

Being a prodigious and influential composer of the Classical era, known for his exceptional versatility and unparalleled musical genius.

Three facts:

  1. Mozart's vast compositional output encompassed virtually every genre of his time, including symphonies, operas, chamber music, and piano works.

  2. His ability to blend elegance, emotional depth, and technical brilliance in his compositions solidified his reputation as a child prodigy and musical virtuoso.

  3. His operas, like "The Marriage of Figaro", are celebrated for their intricate character development, humour, and timeless musical beauty.

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Three compositions:

  1. Symphony No. 40 in G minor

  2. Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major

  3. Requiem in D minor

Mozart

Schubert, Franz

1797-1828
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Country of birth:

Austria​

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Famous for:

Being a prolific composer of the Romantic era, admired for his gift for melody, emotional depth, and contributions to art song.

Three facts:

  1. Franz Schubert's extensive collection of lieder (songs) played a pivotal role in shaping the genre and earned him the title "Master of the Song".

  2. Despite his short life, he composed over 600 songs and a diverse range of works, including symphonies, chamber music, and piano pieces.

  3. Works such as his "Unfinished Symphony" showcase his ability to infuse pieces with poignant emotion and lyrical beauty, characteristic of his Romantic style.

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Three compositions:

  1. "Unfinished Symphony" (Symphony No. 8 in B minor)

  2. "Trout Quintet" (Piano Quintet in A major)

  3. "Winterreise" (Song cycle for voice and piano)

Schubert

Stravinsky, Igor

1882-1971
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Country of birth:

Russia​

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Famous for:

His ground-breaking work spanning multiple styles, from the explosive rhythms of his early ballets to his neoclassical and serial compositions.

Three facts:

  1. Igor Stravinsky's ballets "The Rite of Spring" and "Petrushka" are iconic examples of his revolutionary approach to rhythm, meter, and orchestration.

  2. He embraced a wide range of musical styles throughout his career, from the avant-garde to more accessible neoclassical compositions.

  3. His collaborations with Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes played a vital role in propelling him to international fame and shaping 20th-century music.

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Three compositions:

  1. The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre du Printemps)

  2. Berceuses du chat

  3. Symphony of Psalms

Stravinsky

Rachmaninoff, Sergei

1873-1943
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Country of birth:

Russia​

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Famous for:

His deeply expressive melodies, virtuosic piano compositions, and Romantic style.

Three facts:

  1. Works such as his Second Piano Concerto and "Vocalise" are recognised for their rich harmonies and emotional intensity.

  2. He was a prominent pianist known for his technical abilities and interpretations of works by himself and other composers.

  3. His life straddled the end of the Romantic era and the early 20th century, allowing him to bridge traditional Romantic elements with modern influences.

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Three compositions:

  1. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor

  2. Symphony No. 2 in E minor

  3. Prelude in C-sharp minor (Op. 3, No. 2)

Rachmaninoff
Tchaikovksy

Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich

1840-1893
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Country of birth:

Russia​

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Famous for:

His emotionally charged music, memorable melodies, and significant contributions to orchestral and ballet compositions.

Three facts:

  1. Works such as "Swan Lake" showcase his ability to evoke powerful emotions through music.

  2. He struggled with personal conflicts related to his sexuality and identity, which often found expression in his works.

  3. His music reflects a blend of Russian folk influences and Western classical forms, contributing to his enduring popularity and impact on Romantic music.

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Three compositions:

  1. Symphony No. 6 in B minor, "Pathétique"

  2. Swan Lake

  3. 1812 Overture

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