Composer Profiles
Quick-glance profiles for a range of composers from different eras!
Which composer would you like to see next? Let us know!
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. This page is under development; more composers will be added!
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.
Dates:
1685-1750
Country of birth:
Germany
Famous for:
His intricate and profound compositions that enriched Baroque music with unparalleled complexity and emotional depth.
Three compositions:
-
Goldberg Variations
-
Mass in B Minor
-
Well-Tempered Clavier
Three facts:
-
Known for his exceptional skill in various musical forms.
-
He came from a family of musicians and held prestigious positions as a composer and musician in Germany.
-
His works spanned sacred and secular music and are still influential today.
Bach, Johann Sebastian
Dates:
1867-1944
Country of birth:
USA
Famous for:
Being the first successful American female composer of large-scale art music.
Three compositions:
-
Gaelic Symphony
-
Piano Concerto in C-sharp minor
-
"Ah, Love, but a Day" (song)
Three facts:
-
Pioneering composer and pianist of the late 19th/early 20th centuries.
-
She became the first American woman to compose a symphony performed by a major orchestra: "Gaelic Symphony".
-
Despite societal norms of her time, her compositions encompassed a wide range of genres.
Beach, Amy
Dates:
1862-1918
Country of birth:
France
Famous for:
His innovative and evocative style of classical music.
Three compositions:
-
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
-
Arabesque No. 1
-
Children's Corner
Three facts:
-
He experimented with non-traditional scales and harmonies, expanding the possibilities of tonal language.
-
His approach to music ushered in the era of modern classical composition.
-
His artistic philosophy emphasised capturing emotions and atmospheres, as seen in his influential body of work.
Debussy, Claude
Dates:
1770-1827
Country of birth:
Germany
Famous for:
Revolutionising classical music with his innovative compositions and breaking traditional musical boundaries.
Three compositions:
-
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 (Choral Symphony)
-
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2 (Moonlight Sonata)
-
String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135
Three facts:
-
German composer and pianist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
-
He composed nine symphonies, each a groundbreaking masterpiece.
-
He continued to compose even after becoming deaf, leaving an enduring legacy of musical genius.
van Beethoven, Ludwig
Dates:
c. 1098-1179
Country of birth:
Germany
Famous for:
Her significant contributions to medieval music as a composer, writer, and visionary abbess.
Three compositions:
-
Ordo Virtutum (Play of the Virtues)
-
O vis aeternitatis (O power of eternity)
-
Columba aspexit (The dove glanced)
Three facts:
-
Medieval German composer, theologian, and polymath.
-
Composed a vast collection of liturgical music, including chants and hymns.
-
Hildegard's visionary writings and holistic views on healing continue to influence diverse fields to this day.
von Bingen, Hildegard
Dates:
1841-1904
Country of birth:
Czechia
Famous for:
Incorporating Czech folk music influences into his classical compositions, creating a distinct nationalistic musical style.
Three compositions:
-
Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World")
-
Slavonic Dances
-
Cello Concerto in B minor
Three facts:
-
His music played a crucial role in promoting Czech national identity during a period of political change.
-
He was deeply influenced by both traditional Czech folk music and the broader European Romantic style.
-
He considered music to be universal, and incorporated elements from various cultures in order to "bridge" local and international musical trends.
Dvořák, Antonín
Dates:
1685-1759
Country of birth:
Germany
Famous for:
His enduring contributions to Baroque music, particularly his masterful oratorios and operas.
Three compositions:
-
Water Music
-
Music for the Royal Fireworks
-
Rinaldo
Three facts:
-
A German-English composer, Handel is celebrated for his prolific output across various Baroque musical forms.
-
His mastery of blending intricate melodies with dramatic contrasts is evident in his compositions.
-
He was pivotal in shaping the operatic and oratorio traditions of his time.