Named Artists/Composers
Named Artists/Composers
Ludwig van Beethoven
- Known as the bridge between classical and romantic periods of music history.
- Famous works include the Symphony No. 9, Moonlight Sonata, and Für Elise.
- Known for his dramatic use of dynamics and tempo changes.
- Despite his progressive hearing loss, he continued to compose till his death.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Considered a prodigy; composed over 600 works.
- Played a significant role in popularising the classical style.
- Known for his symphonies - his 40th Symphony in G minor being a popular one.
- Used varying dynamics in his compositions to express different emotions.
Johann Sebastian Bach
- His work, particularly fugues and cantatas underpins much of musical structure of the Western Classical tradition.
- Known for his mastery of counterpoint (layering independent lines).
- Compositions considered iconic include the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Goldberg Variations.
- His music was important in the Baroque period and continues to influence contemporary compositions.
Frédéric Chopin
- Primarily a composer for the piano.
- His music is nuanced with emotional depth and complexity.
- Known for his Ballades and Nocturnes.
- Has greatly influenced the Romantic period of music.
Josef Haydn
- Often called the “father of the symphony” and the “father of the string quartet”.
- His works, such as the ‘Surprise’ Symphony and ‘The Joke’ Quartet, are known for their structural innovation.
- He had a significant influence on the development of the Classical period of music.
Stravinsky
- Known for his contribution to the development and maturation of twentieth-century classical music.
- His works like ‘The Rite of Spring’ and ‘Petrushka’ are noted for their innovative use of rhythm and dissonance.
- He experimented with multiple styles; primitivism, neo-classicism, and serialism among others.
Steve Reich
- An important figure in minimalist music.
- Known for his use of phasing and tape loops.
- His composition ‘Music for 18 Musicians’ is considered a landmark piece.
Patricia Alessandrini
- A contemporary composer noted for her experimental and expressive use of electronic music.
- Her works are often interactive, combining performers, electronics and visuals.
- Noted for her innovative installation pieces.