Classical Music

Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times.  The central norms of this tradition became codified between 1550 and 1900, which is known as the common practice period.

Most Influential Classical Music Composers

Largely different from Baroque music which was mostly flamboyant, new music styles during the Classical period had simpler harmony and clearer tonality.  Here are several notable composers of this period or those whose works represent Classical music:

 

 
1. Ludwig van Beethoven – German Composer, December 17, 1770 to March 26, 1827

2. Johannes Brahms – German Composer, May 7, 1833 to April 3, 1897

3. Francesco Cavalli – Italina Composer, February 14, 1602 to January 14, 1676

4. Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin, Polish Composer, February 22, 1810 to October 17, 1849

5. Antonin Dvorak, Czech Composer, September 8, 1841 to May 1, 1904

6. Christoph Willibald Gluck, Austrian Composer, July 2, 1714 to November 15, 1787

7. Franz Joseph Haydn, Austrian Composer, March 31, 1732 to May 31, 1809

8. Gustav Mahler, Austrian Composer, 7 July 1860 – 18 May 1911

9. William Mason, American Composer, January 24, 1829 to July 14, 1908

10. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Austrian Composer, January 27, 1756 to December 5, 1791

11. Johann Pachelbel, German Composer, September 1, 1653 to March 3, 1706

12. Richard Wagner, German Composer, May 22, 1813 to February 13, 1883

13.  Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Russian Composer, 7 May 1840 – 6 November 1893

14.  Franz Schubert,  German composer (31 January 1797 – 19 November 1828)

15.  Johann Strauss, Austrian composer (October 25, 1825 – June 3, 1899)