Famous Composers of Classical Music

This blog will explore the lives and works of some of the most famous classical music composers.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a world renowned classical composer who was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1756. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest composers of all time. Mozart composed over 600 works, including symphonies, operas, concertos, chamber music, and solo piano pieces.

Life

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria on January 27, 1756. His father, Leopold Mozart, was a well-known composer, violinist, and assistant concertmaster at the Salzburg court. His mother, Anna Maria Pertl, was of humble origin but had some inherited wealth. Young Wolfgang was baptized on the day after his birth as Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgang Theophilus Mozart.

The family moved from one apartment to another several times during Wolfgang’s childhood. They finally settled in the Getreidegasse, a narrow street in the old part of Salzburg near the Cathedral. As a child prodigy, Wolfgang toured Europe with his father and sister Nannerl. From 1762 to 1773 they performed in London, Paris, The Hague, Brussels, Munich, Vienna, Linz and Frankfurt. In each city they gave concerts in private homes and public halls, often for royalty and nobility.

Back in Salzburg between tours, Wolfgang attended school off and on until he was about 15 years old. His school days were not happy ones; he was often bullied by classmates because of his arrogant behavior and outlandish clothes (which his father made him wear). He excelled in music, however, and became a competent violinist and organist.

In 1773 Mozart’s patron Archbishop Colloredo dismissed him from court service for insubordination (for refusing to accompany the Archbishop’s entourage on a long journey to Vienna). Mozart then set out for Munich where he hoped to find work with Elector Maximilian III of Bavaria. When that plan failed he went back to Salzburg only to find that Colloredo would not take him back either. So at age 17 Mozart found himself without a job or income.

Music

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was an Austrian composer who became one of the most prolific and influential of all composers of Western classical music. His father, Leopold, was a successful composer and violinist, employed as deputy Kapellmeister at the court of Salzburg. At the age of three, Wolfgang showed such precocity in music that his father took him on a series of grand tours to European courts where the boy could display his precocious talent before aristocratic audiences. In London in 1764, Wolfgang wrote his first symphony (now known as Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major). The tour ended in Salzburg two years later with a performance before Archbishop Schrattenbach, whose patronage subsequently allowed Leopold to withdraw from court service and devote himself entirely to teaching and composing for his son.

During the next few years, Wolfgang composed a number of works including symphonies, string quartets, piano concertos and sonatas, some 40 pieces in all. In September 1769 he set out on another tour with his father, this time to Italy. They spent almost two years in Italy during which time Wolfgang composed several works including three more symphonies (Nos. 25-27), six string quartets (Nos. 14-19), five piano concertos (Nos. 9-13) and various other pieces. In Rome he met Gregorio Allegri and heard his Miserere; this left such an impression on him that he later managed to write it out from memory back in Salzburg.

In 1773 Mozart returned to Salzburg where he remained for the next four years working as a court musician for Archbishop Colloredo. However, their relationship was not a happy one; Colloredo was a demanding employer who expected unquestioning obedience from his staff, while Mozart chafed at the restrictions imposed upon him and yearned for wider opportunities to compose and perform. In 1777 he traveled to Munich hoping to secure a position at the electoral court there but was unsuccessful; however, he did manage to have two operas produced – La finta giardiniera (‘The Pretend Gardener Girl’) and Apollo et Hyacinthus (‘Apollo and Hyacinth’).

In early 1781 Mozart finally succeeded in escaping from Salzburg when he was appointed Concertmaster to the Archbishop’s nephew Franz Xaver Anton Hieronymus Count Colloredo von Wallsee und Mautern stein Dortmund Erdberg Reichenau und Markersdorf Sinich Tostel Vils Uissigheim Walsee Wittelsbach – Archduke Maximilian Franz of Austria -Infante Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph – on condition that he continue working for his uncle part-time as well!

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist who is one of the most famous and influential classical music composers of all time. He was born in 1770 in Bonn, Germany and died in 1827 in Vienna, Austria.

Life

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in the city of Bonn in the Electorate of Cologne, a principality of the Holy Roman Empire, on 16 December 1770. He was baptized on 17 December. His father—Johann van Beethoven (1740–1792)—was of Flemish ancestry; his mother, Maria Magdalena Keverich (1744–1787), was German. His grandfather, Ludwig van Beethoven (1712–73), had served as Electoral Court without homework excuses violinist under Charles Theodore, Elector Palatine and Elector of Bavaria. Ludwig had one sister: Johannavan Beethoven (b. 1744).

Beethoven’s first music teacher was his father Johann, who was thought to haveviolence been a harsh instructor; however, modern scholars believe Johann may have been gentler than reported.[citation needed] This is debated in part because young Ludwig soon showed uncanny musical talent, beyond even his father’s considerable skills. The young boy seems to have quickly impressed singers as well as players with hisEARLY YEARS clear tone and well-rounded phrasing.[9] He would excel at sight-reading and contemporaries later remarked on how quickly he could learn new music.[10][11] It has additionally been speculated that one reason why his public performances were rare in his teenage years was that he tended towards stage fright[12] or anxiety,[13][14] factors which may also have contributed to the development of his deafness.

The first music that he studied consisted mostly of works by other German composers such as Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach,[15] Gottfried Reiche and Giovanni Battista Martini,[16][17] as well numerous French works including those by François Couperin and Jean-Philippe Rameau.[18][19][20] The first composer who seems to have made a lasting impression on him was Gottlob Neefe,[21][22]:16 a court organist and theatre conductor who would eventually teach him harmony and counterpoint;[23]:30–32 according tobiography early 20th-century biographer Alexander Wheelock Thayer, Neefe may also have helped hone young Ludwig’s skills in improvisation.[23]:33

By March 1778, Beethoven began appearing in public playing the viola at rehearsals for court Opera at Jack makes mischief Borborne’s theatre during Lent withString Quartet No. 6 little success.[24]:24 In September 1779 he studied counterpoint with Tobias Friedrich Pfeiffer.[25]:47 The next year he composed two piano sonatas (WoO 47) as well as two sets of string trios (Opus 3) and one setFACING CHILDHOOD CHALLENGES String Sonata No. 1 Joseph Haydn before moving to Vienna in November 1792 where he continued studyingcounterpoint with Johann Georg Albrechtsberger[26]:107 and composition with Antonio Salieri at the Imperial Court.[27]:7

In May 1792 his opera Lazaruswas performedPrivileges of rank dramatically for the benefit of Mozart’s widow Constanze; it was during this same period that word reached him of his pardon from Bonn service dueNumber 93 “Washington” upon Frederick William II’s death earlier that year.[28]:11bon voyage In mid-Novemberdelay magic moment Opus 9 Trio E-flat piano trio E小调钢琴三重奏 Opus 10 Violin Sonata No. 1 他进入维也纳，投靠了女皇大臣安东尼·萨利耶里。 萨利耶教会了贝多芬如何写序曲，并帮助他改正 初稿。 在那里他还遇到了 joseph haydn，一位与巴伦诺斯 同年出生（巴伦诺斯8岁时haydn才开始写作音乐）的人。 haydn帮助他学习了弹奏古典室内乐的方法，后来对 他写作弦乐四重奏和三重奏など特别有影响。 维也纳期间贝多芬遇到了一些有名的人物，例如德国歌手 karl friedrich nordmann以及女演员 teresa demmerle。 在这里他只是表演过几场钢琴协奏曲（例如“凡尔 赛宫”、“雷布雅典”、“大都会��和“独立宪章” ）。

Music

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist, who is arguably the defining figure in the history of Western music.

Born in the city of Bonn in the Electorate of Cologne, he received his first musical instruction from his father, Gottfried van Beethoven, and was later taught by Christian Gottlob Neefe, Court Organist and assistant documentary film maker. He achieved his greatest success during his final years, despite increasing deafness. His nine symphonies, which include his renowned Symphony No. 9 “Choral”, are some of the most frequently performed works in classical music; Symphony No. 3 “Eroica”, Symphony No. 5 “Fate” and Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral” are also well-known compositions. His only opera Leonore (later renamed Fidelio) was moderately successful during his lifetime but achieved greater popularity after his death; it is now one of the most frequently performed operas. Other well-known works by Beethoven include 32 piano sonatas, 16 string quartets,string quintets, two piano concerti., five violin concerti , 10 v-for-pno sonatas., 5 cello concerti., 11 pno vars,.bagatelles for pno,, 32 pno sonatas,, 9 syms., missa solemnis,, fidelio,, 16 str qts,.9 str trios,. and 27 piano trios,.

Beethoven composed music for a wide variety of settings. Some of these were written for conventional ensembles such as string quartets and symphony orchestras, while others were intended for more unusual groups such as solo piano, solo violin, emansion house orchestra or military band. He also wrote a number of works specifically for educational purposes, including musical variations on Scottish folk songs and Easy Sonatas for beginners.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Bach was a German composer of the Baroque period. He is known for his fugues, suites, concertos,Brandenburg Concertos, and over 200 cantatas which include some of the most famous compositions like Air on the G String, Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.

Life

Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany, on March 21, 1685. Bach’s father, named Johann Ambrosius Bach, was a skilled trumpeter and violist. His mother’s name was Maria Elizabetha Lämmerhirt. Ambrosius taught him to play violin and harpsichord. Unfortunately, both Ambrosius and Bach’s mother died when he was very young. So Bach lived with his elder brother Johann Christoph. He learned a lot from him including Clavier-playing.

In 1700, Bach attended St Michael’s School in Lüneburg. He stayed there until 1702 when he moved to Ohrdruf to live with his brother Johann Christoph who had recently been appointed as the court organist there. In Ohrdruf, Sebastian met Michael Gotthilf Fischer who later became a well-known composer too.

During his time in Weimar (1708–17), Bach furthered his keyboard skills and studied organ with Johann Andreas Schulze and Johan Georg Ahle.

Music

Johann Sebastian Bach was a renowned German composer of the Baroque period. He is known for his technical mastery and musical genius. Bach’s music is revered for its beauty, sophistication, and emotional power. He composed works for both the keyboard and the orchestra, and his music has been performed and recorded by some of the world’s greatest musicians. Bach’s compositions include some of the most famous pieces of classical music, such as The Well-Tempered Clavier, The Brandenburg Concertos, and The Goldberg Variations.

George Frideric Handel

George Frideric Handel was a German-born, British Baroque composer who is famous for his operas, oratorios, anthems and organ concertos. Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks is one of his most well-known pieces.

Life

George Frideric Handel was born on February 23rd, 1685 in Halle, Germany. His father, George Frederic Handel, wanted him to follow in his footsteps and become a lawyer. However, young George Frideric had different plans and became interested in music at an early age. He began taking weekly lessons from the court musician Zachow when he was only seven years old.Shortly after starting his lessons, he began composing his own pieces of music.

Despite his father’s wishes, Handel continued to study music. In 1700, he left Halle to study composition under the famous composer Agostino Steffani in Hamburg. Two years later, he became a singer in the Hamburg opera house. In 1703, he set off on a journey that would take him to Italy where he met many famous composers such as Antonio Vivaldi and Alessandro Scarlatti. This trip had a profound effect on Handel’s compositions and increased his popularity as a composer.

In 1710, Handel moved to London where he composed many operas for the King’s Theatre. His most popular opera was Giulio Cesare which tells the story of Julius Caesar’s victory over Pompey in Egypt. After the death of Queen Anne in 1714, George I became king and did not enjoy Italian opera as much as his predecessor. As a result,Handel turned to composing oratorios which were very popular with the public even though they were not performed at court.

One of his most famous oratorios is Messiah which was first performed in Dublin in 1742 and has since become a Christmas tradition all over the world. In 1749,Handel suffered a stroke which paralyzed his right arm and ended his career as a composer. However, he continued to conduct performances of Messiah until his death in April 1759.

Music

George Frideric Handel was born in the German city of Halle in 1685. His father, a barber-surgeon, wanted him to study law, but he instead became a musician. He quickly developed a reputation as a talented organist, and in 1703 he journeyed to Hamburg, where he worked as an opera composer.

Handel’s first major hit was the opera Rinaldo, which premiered in London in 1711. The work was so popular that it ran for 27 performances, an extraordinary run for any opera at that time. London would become Handel’s adopted home, and he would live there for the rest of his life. He composed numerous works for the London stage, including the oratorios Saul (1739) and Messiah (1742).

Handel was a tireless worker; even after going blind late in life, he continued to compose music until his dying days. He died in London in 1759 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.