Classical Era (1730-1810)

Bladassare Galuppi (1706-1785)

1730

Galant Italian composer. Key in the development of comic opera; considered one of the best.

Wilhelm Freidemann Bach (1710-1784)

1731

German composer of kayboard works, concertos, cahmber music, etc. Son of J.S. Bach.

Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)

1732

Galant composer of Baroque and Classic styles. Eldest son of J.S. Bach.

Leopold Mozart (1719-1787)

1733

German composer, violinist, teacher, theorist. Composed choral and chamber music, symphonies, concertos, and keyboard works. Father of Wolfgang Mozart.

Dr. Charles Burney (1726-1779)

1735

Music historian, author, and organist. Very influential. Traveled europe and wrote about his observations.

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

1736

Austrian composer who served as innovator within the new classical style. Teacher, keyboardist and violinist. Composed many symphonies, string quartets, operas, choral and chamber music, and piano works.

Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782)

1737

Worked in Milan and London. Friend and influence to Mozart. Composed symphonies, operas, church music, concertos.

William Billings (1746-1800)

1738

Most prominent composer in the New America, singing teacher. Not a strong composer, composed psalms and hymns.

Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801)

1740

Italian Composer, central figure in opera towards the late 18th century. Extraordinarily successful in his day. Composed operas, masses, and quartets.

Antonio Salieri (1750-1825)

1741

Italian composer and teacher. Functioned in the transitional periods between the galant and classic and then into the romantic. Very successful. Composed operas, liturgical music, canons, chamber music, and some orchestral works.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

1742

Austrian composer, child prodigy. Wrote in all genres. Best innovations were in opera. Represents the epitome of the classic style. One of the best musicians and composer of all time.