Named Artists/Composers

Named Artists/Composers

Classical Composers

Johann Sebastian Bach

• Known for his complex contrapuntal pieces.
• Composed sacred and secular music in various forms including cantatas, concertos, and fugues.
• Notable works: the Brandenburg Concertos, The Well-Tempered Clavier, and St Matthew Passion are excellent examples of his style.

Ludwig van Beethoven

• A bridge between the Classical and Romantic periods.
• Noted for his expressive dynamics and thematic development.
• Beethoven’s vital pieces include his symphonies, notably Symphony No. 5 and Symphony No. 9 (‘Choral’).

Romantic Composers

Franz Schubert

• Famously known for his lieder (art songs).
• His works are characterised by expressive melodies and rich harmonies.
• Representative works: Winterreise (Winter Journey) and the Symphony No.8 (Unfinished Symphony).

Frédéric Chopin

• Primarily composed for the piano.
• Renowned for his virtuosic technique and emotionally rich music.
• Key works: his Nocturnes, Polonaises, and Ballades.

Twentieth-Century & Contemporary Composers

Igor Stravinsky

• Famously composed works for ballet, including The Rite of Spring.
• His music is marked by rhythmic complexity and use of irregular meter.
• Stravinsky’s style evolved from primitivism to neoclassicism and later serialism.

Steve Reich

• Known for pioneering minimalism.
• His compositions often utilise process music techniques and phasing.
• One of his most celebrated works is Music for 18 Musicians.

Kaija Saariaho

• Finnish composer known for her use of digital technology to manipulate sound.
• Her music often presents a profound exploration of timbre and texture.
• Important works: L’amour de loin (Love from Afar) and Quatre Instants.