The most famous composers in the world. The most famous classical music works of 5 composers and their works

What would our life be like without music? For many years, people have asked themselves this question and come to the conclusion that without the beautiful sounds of music, the world would be a very different place. Music helps us feel joy more fully, find our inner self and cope with difficulties. Composers, working on their works, were inspired by a variety of things: love, nature, war, happiness, sadness and much more. Some of the ones they created musical compositions, will forever remain in the hearts and memories of people. Here is a list of ten of the greatest and most talented composers of all time. Under each composer you will find a link to one of his most famous works.

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Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer who lived only 32 years, but his music will live on for a very long time. Schubert wrote nine symphonies, about 600 vocal compositions, and a large number of chamber and solo piano music.

"Evening Serenade"

German composer and pianist, author of two serenades, four symphonies, as well as concertos for violin, piano and cello. He performed at concerts from the age of ten, performing for the first time with solo concert at 14 years old. During his lifetime, he gained popularity primarily due to the waltzes and Hungarian dances he wrote.

"Hungarian Dance No. 5".

George Frideric Handel is a German and English composer of the Baroque era, he wrote about 40 operas, many organ concerts, and chamber music. Handel's music has been played at the coronations of English kings since 973, it is also heard at royal wedding ceremonies and is even used as the anthem of the UEFA Champions League (with a small arrangement).

"Music on the water"

Joseph Haydn- a famous and prolific Austrian composer of the classical era, he is called the father of the symphony, as he made significant contributions to the development of this musical genre. Joseph Haydn is the author of 104 symphonies, 50 piano sonatas, 24 operas and 36 concertos

"Symphony No. 45".

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is the most famous Russian composer, author of more than 80 works, including 10 operas, 3 ballets and 7 symphonies. He was very popular and known as a composer during his lifetime, and performed in Russia and abroad as a conductor.

"Waltz of the Flowers" from the ballet "The Nutcracker".

Frédéric François Chopin is a Polish composer who is also considered one of the best pianists of all time. He wrote many pieces of music for piano, including 3 sonatas and 17 waltzes.

"Rain waltz".

Venetian composer and virtuoso violinist Antonio Lucio Vivaldi is the author of more than 500 concertos and 90 operas. He had a huge influence on the development of Italian and world violin art.

"Elf Song"

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is an Austrian composer who amazed the world with his talent with early childhood. Already at the age of five, Mozart was composing short plays. In total, he wrote 626 works, including 50 symphonies and 55 concertos. 9.Beethoven 10.Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and organist of the Baroque era, known as a master of polyphony. He is the author of more than 1000 works, which include almost everything significant genres that time.

"Musical joke"

Every person should know their history, as well as the people who made it. For example, in this article we invite the reader to remember famous Russian composers who are respected and loved not only in our country, but also abroad.

People who have made an unprecedented contribution to Russian and world classical music

IN old times classical music was very popular. They knew the leading composers very well by sight and even knew how to distinguish the works of one great classic from another. Now times, morals and tastes have changed significantly. And now we more often listen to monotonous melodies or rhythmic recitatives, most of which are forgotten the next day. However, several years ago scientists proved the fact that classics have a beneficial effect on the human body. There is even a confirmed hypothesis that children who listen to classical music from childhood are much ahead of their peers in development. That is why it is necessary to get used to elegant and exciting melodies from an early age.

But if in childhood such a hobby seemed unfashionable to a child or he simply did not think about changing his taste, the situation can be corrected at any time. And the best place to start is to get acquainted with Russian composers, famous and beloved. Such as:

• Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857).
• Alexander Dargomyzhsky (1813-1869).
• Alexander Borodin (1833-1887).
• Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881).
• Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893).
• Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908).
• Sergei Rachmaninov (1872-1915).
• Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978).
• Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975).

The stories of their lives are complex, and the fates of many are quite tragic. You can talk about these people endlessly, but we will try to mention only the most important facts biographies to give the reader an idea of ​​what the great Russian composers were like.

Mikhail Glinka

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka was born on May 20, 1804. His family was large and wealthy, living in the territory of the Smolensk province since Polish nobleman, who laid the foundation for the family, preferred Russia to his country. The parents of the future composers were each other's second cousins. Perhaps that is why the grandmother took upon herself the upbringing of the baby. This continued until her death. The young talent's passion for music arose at the age of ten. Soon he was sent to study in St. Petersburg. There he met Pushkin, Griboyedov, Zhukovsky, Odoevsky and others famous personalities those times. And I realized that I wanted to make music my destiny.

After this, Mikhail Glinka wrote his first romances, but was not completely satisfied with the result. His own music seemed domestic to him; he sought to expand its boundaries. And then, working on himself, Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka went to Italy, and then to Germany. There he met people like Donizetti and Bellini, as a result of which he completely changed the style of his music.

Upon his arrival in Russia, the composer again presented his operas to the country. But some of them were heavily criticized, and Glinka decided to leave the country. And he returned many years later, becoming a singing teacher and actively influencing the formation classical music.

Mikhail Ivanovich died on February 15, 1857 in Berlin. His ashes were brought to St. Petersburg, where the composer rests to this day.

Alexander Dargomyzhsky

This musical figure, unrecognized during his lifetime and almost forgotten now, was born on February 2, 1813 in the Tula province. Alexander Sergeevich Dargomyzhsky’s passion for music arose at the age of seven. And it was then that he mastered the art of playing the piano to perfection. And at the age of ten he already wrote his first plays and romances. Then the future composer entered the service, and after he met Mikhail Glinka he significantly improved his skills.

Alexander Sergeevich read notes like a book, and tried to make his works so that the music did not overshadow the voices of the performers. At a certain period of his life, he gave singing lessons to non-professional singers completely free of charge, and after that he became one of the consultants of the Russian musical community. His greatest opera"Rusalka" almost burned down in a fire at the St. Petersburg Opera House. But even now it is performed quite infrequently, so only true connoisseurs of classical music know Alexander Sergeevich Dargomyzhsky. This is very sad, because another unusual opera by the composer, “ Stone Guest“, consists of recitatives that fully correspond to the rhythm of Pushkin’s verse, and not the usual drawn-out arias.

This is what sets the composer apart from others. He did not succumb to the influence of Italy and France, did not pander to the tastes of the public, and was not afraid to try something new. He went his own way, based on his own taste. And inextricably linked sound and word.

Alexander Borodin

Alexander Porfirievich was born on November 12, 1933 as a result of an extramarital affair between a Georgian prince and the daughter of a military man. The age difference between the parents was just over forty years. That is why the newborn was registered with the valet's last name. But the mother still paid great attention to her baby and selected for him the best teachers and tutors.

From an early age, the future composer was attracted to music. And after some time he wrote his first plays, the publication of which was taken care of by his mother. It was then that the country learned about young talent- a sixteen-year-old composer. By the way, Alexander Porfiryevich was also attracted to the young (at that time) chemistry. He carried out various experiments in his own room with special interest, which sometimes drove his mother into indescribable horror. And then Borodin entered the Medical-Surgical Academy. At one time, he met Mendeleev, who believed that Alexander should forget about music. However, the future famous Russian composer did not abandon his second hobby, but brought it to such a level that Borodin’s work was recognized not only in the country, but also abroad.

Alexander Porfiryevich died unexpectedly. After the rhythmic dance, his heart could not stand it and stopped forever. This happened on February 27, 1887.

Modest Mussorgsky

The next greatest composer was born on the territory of the Pskov province on March 9, 1839. All that is known about his early years is that until the age of ten he was educated at home and mastered the piano. Then he went to St. Petersburg, where he became interested church music, tried his hand at writing. Soon his works began to be performed in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Russian composer Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky is a true genius, innovator, third most performed in the whole world. His work is familiar to many, especially the music from the opera “Boris Godunov”. However, he was a deeply lonely man, so in certain moment sank into apathy and became addicted to the bottle. As a result, Modest Petrovich began to experience delirium tremens. The first serious attack was stopped, but the composer could not be cured of his illness. And on March 16, 1881, the greatest genius died.

Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Perhaps the work of this composer is the most recognizable, not only among adults, but also among children. After all, who doesn’t know the famous “Dance of the Little Swans”? And it was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky who wrote it.

The future genius was born in April 1840 in the city of Votkins (Udmurtia) and by the age of five he was excellent at reading notes and playing the piano. In his youth he began to visit Opera theatre St. Petersburg, where I was especially impressed by the works of Glinka and Mozart. Being an employee of the Department of Justice, he gave up everything for the sake of “the pipe,” as his relatives said. But the contribution that Pyotr Ilyich made to Russian and world classical music is so great that it completely justifies the decision of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

The great genius died suddenly on March 25, 1893. By official version, the cause was cholera. But there is also a hypothesis that he was poisoned. Moreover, many believe that the composer did this on his own, deciding to commit suicide. However, this is not known for certain, so the public prefers to stick to the first option.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

The most popular Russian composer, who could write music without an instrument, was born on March 18, 1844 in Tikhvin (near St. Petersburg). The child began to study music very early, but it did not attract him much. Nikolai Andreevich was attracted by the sea, so at the age of twelve he entered the Morskaya cadet corps, but didn’t quit making music. A little later he meets life path such great people as Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky and Alexander Porfirievich Borodin. Then he sails on a ship and serves in the navy, continuing to compose music and drawing inspiration from the nature of the Russian lands, Russian fairy tales, epics, songs and sayings. And then he became a teacher at the conservatory in St. Petersburg, which now bears his name.

However, despite his merits, Nikolai Andreevich is very critical of himself, highlighting only two of his operas - “The Tsar’s Bride” and “The Snow Maiden”.

The great Russian composer Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov died on June 8, 1908 due to an exacerbation of heart disease.

Sergei Rachmaninov

The great musical figure was born in the Novgorod province on March 20, 1873. He was interested in music almost from infancy, at the age of five he was already playing the piano, and at nine he entered the conservatory. At thirteen he met Tchaikovsky, who became the mentor of the young Rachmaninov. The young genius writes his works, which are a huge success. But one work is still assessed negatively by Rimsky-Korsakov. This becomes the reason for the protracted depression of Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov, as a result of which he did not write works for three years. Soon after the start October revolution the composer leaves his homeland, going on a tour of European cities.

The last years of the Russian genius’s life pass in America. On March 28, 1943, Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov dies, living at that time in the city of Beverly Hills.

Aram Khachaturyan

A musical genius from a simple Armenian family was born on May 24, 1903. IN early years Aram Ilyich's future is determined by his father, who sees a biologist in the boy. But everything changes when in 1921 the future composer goes to study in the capital and lives with his brother - famous director. He introduces him to creative world. This turns the consciousness of Aram Ilyich Khachaturian upside down. He enters the Gnessin Technical School, and then gives up biology for the sake of music. The composer writes many works, which are received with great delight by domestic and foreign audiences.

The last years of the life of the Russian genius are very difficult. He is fighting a difficult battle with cancer. He undergoes many operations, but the sudden death of his wife greatly weakens him. And on May 1, 1978, Aram Ilyich Khachaturian dies.

Dmitry Shostakovich

The last great Russian composer about whom we would like to tell the reader was born in St. Petersburg on September 25, 1906 in musical family. Therefore, it is not surprising that the fate of Dmitry Dmitrievich was to some extent predetermined. He wrote his first creation at the age of nine, and at thirteen he entered the conservatory.

It will not be an exaggeration that Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich lived by music. Constantly improving his skills, he was able to envelop the listener with sounds and feelings. In addition, he was an improviser and came up with musical masterpieces literally on the go.

Died musical genius due to a tumor that doctors could not diagnose for a very long time. And when they finally succeeded, it was too late. On August 9, 1975, Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich passed away.

Famous works of mentioned composers

We have previously mentioned that classical music has a beneficial effect on the human body, improving brain activity, increasing receptivity to science, calming and giving a feeling of peace. That is why below we will present to the reader the best and most popular musical works Russian composers whom we described above.

Let's start in order:

• Mikhail Glinka - “Pathetique Trio”, “Waltz-Fantasia”, operas “Ivan Susanin”, “Ruslan and Lyudmila”, “Kamarinskaya”.
• Alexander Dargomyzhsky - operas “Esmeralda”, “The Triumph of Bacchus”, “Rusalka”, “The Stone Guest”.
• Alexander Borodin - operas “Heroes”, “Mlada”, libretto “Prince Igor”.
• Modest Mussorgsky - operas “Marriage”, “Boris Godunov”, “Khovanshchina”, “Sorochinskaya Fair”.
• Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Russian composer, whose most famous works everyone knows: “Slavic March”, “ Swan Lake", "Eugene Onegin", "Sleeping Beauty", " Queen of Spades", "The Nutcracker".
• Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - operas “The Golden Cockerel”, “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”, “The Snow Maiden”, “Scheherazade”, “Sadko”, “ The Tsar's Bride", "Mozart and Salieri".
• Sergei Rachmaninov - “Aleko”, “ Stingy Knight", "Francesca da Rimini".
• Aram Khachaturian - ballets “Happiness”, “Gayane”, “Spartacus”.
• Dmitri Shostakovich - “The Nose”, “The Great Lightning”, “Lady Macbeth” Mtsensk district", "Katerina Izmailova", "Players", "Moscow, Cheryomushki".

These are the famous Russian composers to whom every citizen should pay special attention.

Classical music is not nearly as popular now as it was in its “golden age” - from the 17th to the early 20th centuries, but it still impresses and serves as an inspiration to many. Famous music composers The people who created these great works may have lived hundreds of years ago, but their masterpieces remain unrivaled to this day.

Famous German composers

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most important names in the history of classical music. He was an innovator of his era, expanding the scope of the symphony, sonata, concerto, quartet, and combining vocals and instruments in new ways, although vocal genre he wasn't that interested. The public did not immediately accept his innovative ideas, but fame did not take too long to arrive, so even during Beethoven’s lifetime his work was appreciated.

Beethoven's whole life was marked by the struggle for healthy hearing, but deafness still overtook him: some of the most important works the great composer were created during the last ten years of his life, when he was no longer able to hear. One of the most famous works Beethoven are " Moonlight Sonata"(No. 14), play "Fur Elise", symphony No. 9, symphony No. 5.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Another world-famous German composer is Johann Sebastian Bach, a brilliant author whose works in the 19th century aroused interest even among those who were not interested in serious, classical music. He wrote organ music, vocal-instrumental music, and music for other instruments and instrumental ensembles, although he still managed to bypass the opera genre. Most often he was engaged in writing cantatas, fugues, preludes and oratorios, as well as chorale arrangements. It was Bach, together with George Frideric Handel - latest composers Baroque era.

Throughout his life, he created more than a thousand pieces of music. Bach's most famous works: Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565, Pastoral BWV 590, Brandenburg Concertos, Peasant and Coffee Cantatas, Mass of the St. Matthew Passion.

Richard Wagner

Wagner was not only one of the most influential composers in the whole world, but also one of the most controversial - due to his anti-Semitic worldview. He was a supporter new form opera, which he called “musical drama” - in it all musical and dramatic elements merged together. To this end, he developed a compositional style in which the orchestra plays the same strong dramatic role, as well as singer-performers.

Wagner himself wrote his librettos, which he called “poems.” Most of Wagner's subjects were based on European myths and legends. He is best known for his eighteen-hour cycle of epic operas in four parts called The Ring of the Nibelung, the opera Tristan and Isolde, and the musical drama Parsifal.

Famous Russian composers

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka

Glinka is usually spoken of as the founder of Russian national tradition in music, however, his Russian operas offered a synthesis of Western music with Russian melodies. Glinka’s first opera was “A Life for the Tsar,” which was well received when it was first staged in 1836, but the second opera, “Ruslan and Lyudmila,” with a libretto written by Pushkin, was not so popular. However, she showed herself new type dramaturgy - heroic-historical opera, or epic.

Glinka became the first Russian composer to achieve worldwide recognition. The most famous works Mikhail Ivanovich: opera “Ivan Susanin”, waltz-fantasy for symphony orchestra and an overture-symphony on a circular Russian theme.

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky is one of the most popular and famous composers in the whole world. For many, he is also the most beloved Russian composer. Tchaikovsky's work, however, is much more Western than the works written by other composers of his contemporaries, as he used both Russian folk melodies and was guided by the heritage of German and Austrian composers. Tchaikovsky himself was not only a composer, but also a conductor, music teacher and critic.

No others famous composers Russia is perhaps not famous for creating ballet performances just like Tchaikovsky is famous for. The most famous ballets Tchaikovsky's works are: "The Nutcracker", "Swan Lake" and "Sleeping Beauty". He also wrote operas; the most famous are “The Queen of Spades”, “Eugene Onegin”.

Sergei Vasilyevich Rahmaninov

Sergei Vasilyevich’s work absorbed the traditions of post-romanticism and took shape in a style unique in the musical culture of the 20th century, unlike any other in the world. He always gravitated towards big ones musical forms. Basically, his works are full of angst, drama, power and rebellion; they often depicted images of folk epics.

Rachmaninov was known not only as a composer, but also as a pianist, so a significant place in his work is occupied by piano works. He began learning piano notes at the age of four. Rachmaninov's defining genre was the piano concerto. Rachmaninov's most famous works are the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and four concertos for piano and orchestra.

Famous composers of the world

Giuseppe Francesco Verdi

It is difficult to imagine the 19th century without the music of Giuseppe Verdi, one of the classics of Italian musical culture. What Verdi sought most to bring to opera production musical realism, always worked directly with singers and librettists, interfered in the work of conductors and did not tolerate false performances. He said that he liked everything that was beautiful in art.

Like many composers, Verdi gained his greatest popularity through the creation of operas. The most famous among them are the operas “Othello”, “Aida”, “Rigoletto”.

Frederic Chopin

The most famous Polish composer Frederic Chopin always highlighted the beauty of his native land and believed in its greatness in the future. His name is the pride of the Polish people. Chopin stands out in the field of classical music in that he wrote works only for performance on the piano, rather than others famous composers with their variety of symphonies and operas; Now Chopin's works have become the basis for the work of today's pianists.

Chopin was engaged in writing piano pieces, nocturnes, mazurkas, etudes, waltzes, polonaises and other forms, and the most famous among them are the “Autumn Waltz”, Nocturne in C sharp minor, Spring Rhapsody, Fantasia-impromptu in C sharp minor.

Edvard Grieg

The famous Norwegian composer and musical figure Edvard Grieg specialized in chamber vocal and piano music. Grieg's work was significantly influenced by the legacy of German romanticism. Grieg's bright and recognizable style can be characterized by such a movement as musical impressionism.

When creating his works, Grieg was often inspired by folk tales, melodies, and legends. His work had a huge influence on the development of Norwegian musical culture and art in general. The composer’s most famous works are the overture “In Autumn”, a concert for piano and orchestra of 1868, music for the play “Peer Gynt”, and the suite “From the Times of Holberg”.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

And, of course, the most famous composers of all time cannot do without this name, which is known even to people far from classical music. Austrian composer and a virtuoso performer, Mozart created a number of operas, concertos, sonatas and symphonies that greatly influenced and shaped classical music.

He grew up as a child prodigy: he learned to play the piano at the age of three, and at five he was already creating small pieces of music. He wrote his first symphony at the age of eight, and his first opera at the age of twelve. Mozart had a phenomenal ear for music and an amazing ability to play many musical instruments and improvisation.

During his life, Mozart created more than six hundred musical works, some of the most famous of which are the opera “The Marriage of Figaro”, symphony No. 41 “Jupiter”, 3rd part of sonata No. 11 “Turkish March”, concert for flute and harp with orchestra and "Requiem" in D minor, K.626.

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Has it ever happened that you heard somewhere good song and thought: “How great it would be to play her!” Indeed, knowing the basics of musical notation can open up endless musical possibilities. Find out how to learn notes in our article.

Among these melodies there is a tune for any mood: romantic, positive or sad, to relax and not think about anything or, conversely, to collect your thoughts.

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Italian composer and the pianist works in the direction of minimalism, often turns to ambient and skillfully combines classics with others musical styles. To a wide circle he is known for his atmospheric compositions that have become film soundtracks. For example, you probably recognize the music from the French film “1 + 1”, written by Einaudi.

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Glass is one of the most controversial personalities in the world of modern classics, who is either praised to the skies or criticized to the nines. He has been playing for half a century own group Philip Glass Ensemble and has composed scores for more than 50 films, including The Truman Show, The Illusionist, Taste of Life and Fantastic Four. The melodies of the American minimalist composer blur the line between classical and popular music.

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Author of numerous soundtracks, best film composer of 2008 according to the European Film Academy and post-minimalist. Won over critics with the first Memoryhouse album, in which Richter's music was superimposed on poetry readings, and subsequent albums used fiction. In addition to writing his own ambient compositions, he arranges works of classics: Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” in his arrangement topped the iTunes classical music charts.

This creator instrumental music from Italy is not associated with sensational cinema, but is already known as a composer, virtuoso and experienced piano teacher. If you describe Marradi's music in two words, they would be "sensual" and "magical". His creations and covers will appeal to those who love retro classics: the notes of the last century are evident in the motifs.

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The famous film composer created musical accompaniment for many box-office films and cartoons, including “Gladiator”, “Pearl Harbor”, “Inception”, “Sherlock Holmes”, “Interstellar”, “Madagascar”, “The Lion King”. His star is on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and on his shelf are the Oscars, Grammys and Golden Globes. Zimmer's music is as varied as these films, but regardless of the tone, it touches the heartstrings.

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Hisaishi is one of the most famous Japanese composers, having received four Japanese Academy Film Awards for best music to the film. He became famous for composing the soundtrack to Hayao Miyazaki's anime Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. If you are a fan of the works of Studio Ghibli or the films of Takeshi Kitano, then you probably admire Hisaishi's music. It is mostly light and light.

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This Icelandic multi-instrumentalist is just a boy compared to the listed masters, but by the age of 30 he had become a recognized neoclassicist. He recorded the accompaniment for a ballet, received a BAFTA award for the soundtrack to the British TV series “Murder on the Beach” and released 10 studio albums. Arnalds' music is reminiscent of a harsh wind on a deserted seashore.

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Lee Ru Ma's most famous works are Kiss the Rain and River Flows in You. Korean New Age composer and pianist writes popular classics, understandable to listeners on any continent, with any musical taste and education. His light and sensual melodies became the beginning of a love for piano music for many.

Dustin O'Halloran

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The American composer is interesting because he does not have music education, but at the same time writes the most pleasant and quite popular music. O'Halloran's tunes were used in Top Gear and several films. Perhaps the most successful soundtrack album was for the melodrama “Like Crazy.” This composer and pianist knows a lot about the art of conducting and how to create electronic music. But his main field is modern classic. Cacciapaglia has recorded numerous albums, three of them with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His music flows like water, it’s a great way to relax with it.

What other contemporary composers are worth listening to?

If you like epic, add Klaus Badelt, who worked on Pirates with Zimmer, to your playlist. Caribbean Sea" You also cannot miss Jan Kaczmarek, Alexandre Desplat, Howard Shore and John Williams - you need to write a separate article to list all their works, merits and awards.

For more tasty neoclassicism, check out Nils Frahm and Sylvain Chauveau.

If you can't get enough, remember the creator of the soundtrack to "Amelie" Yann Tiersen or discover the Japanese composer Tammon: he writes airy, fairy-tale melodies.

Which composers' music do you like and which ones do you not? Who else would you add to this list?

Of each of them it can be said with certainty that he is the greatest composer who ever lived, although in fact it is impossible, and indeed impossible, to compare music written over several centuries. However, all of these composers stand out among their contemporaries as composers who composed music the highest level, and sought to push the boundaries of classical music to new limits. The list does not contain any order, such as importance or personal preference. Just 10 great composers you should know.

1. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) The most important figure in world classical music. One of the most performed and respected composers in the world. He created in all genres that existed in his time, including opera, ballet, music for dramatic performances, choral works. The most significant of his heritage are considered to be instrumental works: piano, violin and cello sonatas, concertos for piano, violin, quartets, overtures, symphonies. Founder romantic period in classical music.

Interesting fact: Beethoven first wanted to dedicate his third symphony (1804) to Napoleon. The composer was captivated by this man, who seemed to many at the beginning of his reign to be a real hero. But when Napoleon proclaimed himself emperor, Beethoven crossed out his dedication to Napoleon by title page and wrote only one word - “Heroic”.

Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata:

2. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) German composer and organist, representative of the Baroque era. One of greatest composers in the history of music. During his life, Bach wrote more than 1000 works. His work represents all the significant genres of that time, except opera; he summarized the achievements musical art Baroque period. The founder of the most famous musical dynasty.

Interesting fact: During his lifetime, Bach was so underrated that less than a dozen of his works were published.

Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J. S. Bach:

3. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) The great Austrian composer, instrumentalist and conductor, representative of the Vienna classical school, virtuoso violinist, harpsichordist, organist, conductor, he had a phenomenal musical ear, memory and ability to improvise. As a composer who excelled in any genre, he is rightfully considered one of the greatest composers in the history of classical music.

Interesting fact: While still a child, Mozart memorized and recorded the Miserere (Catholic chant based on the text of the 50th Psalm of David) by the Italian Gregorio Allegri, having listened to it only once.

Mozart's little night serenade:

4. Richard Wagner (1813-1883) German composer, conductor, playwright, philosopher. Had a significant impact on European culture turn of the XIX-XX centuries, especially modernism. Wagner's operas are stunning in their grandiose scale and eternal human values.

Interesting fact: Wagner took part in the failed revolution of 1848-1849 in Germany, and was forced to evade arrest by Franz Liszt.

"Ride of the Valkyries" from Wagner's opera "Die Walküre":

5. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Russian composer, one of the best melodists, conductor, teacher, musical critic. His works contributed invaluable contribution into world musical culture. One of the most popular composers among classical music lovers, Tchaikovsky's unique style successfully combines the Western symphonic heritage of Beethoven and Schumann with the Russian traditions inherited from Mikhail Glinka.

Interesting fact: From his youth, Tchaikovsky had an irresistible thirst for knowledge, in a variety of fields. Thus, he was one of the first among his contemporaries to become acquainted with a new invention of the 19th century, which was destined for a great future. It was Edison's phonograph, which ushered in the era of sound recording.

"Waltz of the Flowers" from Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker":

6. Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) Italian composer, central figure Italian opera school. Verdi had a sense of the stage, temperament and impeccable skill. He did not deny operatic traditions (unlike Wagner), but on the contrary developed them (the traditions of Italian opera), he transformed Italian opera, filled it with realism, gave it the unity of the whole.

Interesting fact: Verdi was an Italian nationalist and was elected to the first Italian parliament in 1860, following the declaration of Italian independence from Austria.

Overture to Verdi's opera La Traviata:

7. Igor Fedorovich Stravinsky (1882-1971) Russian (American - after emigration) composer, conductor, pianist. One of the most important composers twentieth century. Stravinsky's work is consistent throughout his entire career, although in different periods The style of his works was different, but the core and Russian roots remained, which were evident in all his works; he is considered one of the leading innovators of the twentieth century. His innovative use of rhythm and harmony has inspired and continues to inspire many musicians, not just in classical music.

Interesting fact: During World War I, Roman customs officers confiscated Pablo Picasso's portrait of Stravinsky when the composer was leaving Italy. The portrait was painted in a futuristic manner and customs officers mistook these circles and lines for some kind of encrypted secret materials.

Suite from Stravinsky's ballet "Firebird":

8. Johann Strauss (1825-1899) Austrian composer of light music, conductor and violinist. “King of Waltzes” - he created in the genre of dance music and operettas. His musical heritage includes more than 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas and ballets. Thanks to him, the waltz became extremely popular in Vienna in the 19th century.

Interesting fact: Johann Strauss's father is also Johann and also famous musician, and therefore the “Waltz King” is called the youngest or son, his brothers Joseph and Eduard were also famous composers.

Strauss's Waltz "On the Beautiful Blue Danube":

9. Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninov (1873-1943) Russian composer, pianist and conductor, largest representatives Russian and world musical culture late XIX- first half of the 20th century. Rachmaninov's style, which grew out of late romanticism, goes far beyond the post-Romantic tradition and at the same time does not belong to any of the stylistic movements of the musical avant-garde of the 20th century. Rachmaninov's work stands apart in world music of the 20th century; his style remained uniquely individual and original, having no analogues in world art.

Interesting fact: The premiere of Rachmaninoff's First Symphony ended in complete failure, both due to poor quality performance and the innovative nature of the music, which was far ahead of its time. This event caused a serious nervous illness.

Rachmaninov Piano Concert Concerto 4 – Movement 1:

10. Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828) Austrian composer, one of the outstanding representatives of Viennese classical music school and one of the founders of romanticism in music. For my short life Schubert made significant contributions to orchestral, chamber and piano music, which influenced an entire generation of composers. However, his most striking contribution was to the development of German romances, of which he created more than 600.

Interesting fact: Schubert's friends and fellow musicians would get together and perform Schubert's music. These meetings were called the “Schubertiads”. Some first fan club!

Ave Maria Schubert: