Compositores

1750-today

Period: 1750 BCE to 2024 BCE

ARS ANTIQUA, GREGORIAN CHANT AND ARS NOVA

Period: 680 to 1320

Guido D´Arezzo

991

Guido of Arezzo (c. 991–992–after 1033) was a pivotal Italian music theorist and Benedictine monk. Renowned for developing modern staff notation, he taught at Pomposa Abbey and later Arezzo Cathedral, facing opposition for innovative methods. His influential work, Micrologus, garnered attention, leading to an invitation from Pope John XIX to Rome. While little is known about his later life, Guido's lasting impact on Western musical notation and education remains significant.

Hildegard of Bingen

1098

Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179): German abbess, writer, composer, and mystic. Known as Saint Hildegard, she was a leader in her convent, founded two monasteries, and wrote on theology, botany, and medicine. Famous for sacred music, she's considered a pioneer in natural history. Canonized as a saint, Pope Benedict XVI made her a Doctor of the Church in 2012.

Bernard de Vertadorn

1134

Bernart de Ventadorn (1130–1140 to 1190–1200): French troubadour, a key figure in medieval poetry and music. Renowned for 18 melodies and 45 poems, he's considered the most important troubadour of his time. Mastered and popularized the trobar leu style, shaping courtly love poetry. Known as "the Master Singer," he innovatively formalized cançons, portraying women with graceful complexity, shifting from divine to Eve-like figures. His influence endured for over a century in troubadour tradition.

Leonin

1135

Léonin was the first known significant composer of polyphonic organum. He was probably French, probably lived and worked in Paris at the Notre Dame Cathedral and was the earliest member of the Notre Dame school of polyphony and the ars antiqua style who is known by name. The name Léonin is derived from "Leoninus," which is the Latin diminutive of the name Leo; therefore it is likely that Léonin's given French name was Léo.

Perótin

1160

Pérotin, a medieval composer linked to the Notre Dame school, flourished around 1200. Known from a single source, Anonymous IV, he expanded polyphonic techniques and held the title "Magister Perotinus," indicating a teaching role. Little is known about his life, and attempts to identify him remain speculative. Pérotin's enduring legacy lies in compositions like "Viderunt omnes" and "Sederunt principes," exemplifying his influential contributions to ars antiqua and medieval polyphony.

Alfonso X the wise

1219

Alfonso X (1221–1284): King of Castile, encouraged diverse court, promoted learning in Castilian. Sponsored Galician poetry and scientific endeavors. Introduced Siete Partidas law code, created Mesta, fought wars, faced civil strife with son Sancho IV.

Guillaume De Machaut

1300

Guillaume de Machaut (c. 1300–1377) was a key figure in ars nova, shaping late medieval music. His death marks a shift to ars subtilior. A leading 14th-century French composer and poet, Machaut's extensive works include the groundbreaking Messe de Nostre Dame. His influence on motets and secular songs, like rondeaux and virelais, resonates in medieval music and poetry. Machaut's legacy extends through his rich compositions and profound impact on the musical landscape of his time.

Francesco Landini

1325

Francesco Landini (c. 1325 or 1335 – 2 September 1397; also known by many names) was an Italian composer, poet, organist, singer and instrument maker who was a central figure of the Trecento style in late Medieval music. One of the most revered composers of the second half of the 14th century, he was by far the most famous composer in Italy.

Johannes Gutenberg

1400

Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1400 – February 3, 1468) revolutionized printing with the movable-type press around 1450. Known for the 42-line Bible, his invention fueled the Protestant Reformation's spread of ideas. Gutenberg's impact, comparable to major historical shifts, remains pivotal in shaping modernity. Yet, details about his life remain relatively unknown.

Renaissance

Period: 1450 to 1600

Juan De la Encina

1468

Juan del Encina (July 12, 1468 – 1529/1530)[1] was a composer, poet, priest, and playwright,[2]: 535  often credited as the joint-father (even "founder" or "patriarch") of Spanish drama, alongside Gil Vicente. His birth name was Juan de Fermoselle.[1] He spelled his name Enzina, but this is not a significant difference; it is two spellings of the same sound, in a time when "correct spelling" as we know it barely existed.

Martin Luther

1486

Martin Luther (1483–1546), German priest, theologian, and key figure in the Protestant Reformation, challenged Roman Catholic doctrines, emphasizing salvation through faith. His translated German Bible influenced language, culture, and the Tyndale Bible. Luther's hymns shaped Protestant worship, and his marriage set a precedent for clerical marriage. Despite anti-Judaistic views, historians note his rhetoric's link to later antisemitism in Germany and the Nazi Party.

Cristóbal de Morales

1500

Cristóbal de Morales (c.1500–c.1553) - Influential Spanish Renaissance composer, predating Tomás Luis de Victoria. Born in Seville, he received exceptional education and musical training. Worked in Ávila and Plasencia. Limited family details; had a sister, father deceased by 1530. Possible relatives in Seville include a singer, treasurer, canon, and cathedral notary with the Morales surname. Morales' legacy is marked by his significant contributions to Renaissance music.

Antonio de Cabezón

1510

Antonio de Cabezón, born into nobility, became Queen Isabella's organist in 1526. He influenced European composers while traveling with King Philip II, residing in Madrid until his death. His legacy lies in shaping Spanish court music, leaving a lasting impact on European compositions.

Giovanni Perluigi de Palestrina

1525

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525 – 2 February 1594) was a leading Italian composer of late Renaissance music, a key figure in the Roman School. Renowned for over 105 masses and 250 motets, his influence on church and secular music, especially in counterpoint, was profound. Palestrina's success in harmonizing functional and aesthetic goals in Catholic church music post-Tridentine era earned him the status of the ideal Catholic composer.

Orlando Di Lasso

1532

Orlando di Lasso (various other names; probably c. 1532 – 14 June 1594) was a composer of the late Renaissance. The chief representative of the mature polyphonic style in the Franco-Flemish school, Lassus stands with William Byrd, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and Tomás Luis de Victoria as the leading composers of the later Renaissance. Immensely prolific, his music varies considerably in style and genres, which gave him unprecedented popularity throughout Europe.

Andrea Gabrielli

1532

Andrea Gabrieli (1532/1533[1] – August 30, 1585) was an Italian[1] composer and organist of the late Renaissance. The uncle of the somewhat more famous Giovanni Gabrieli, he was the first internationally renowned member of the Venetian School of composers, and was extremely influential in spreading the Venetian style in Italy as well as in Germany.

Maddalena Casulana

1544

Maddalena Casulana (c. 1544 – c. 1590) was an Italian composer, lutenist and singer of the late Renaissance. She is the first female composer to have had a whole book of her music printed and published in the history of western music.

Tomás Luis De Victoria

1546

Tomás Luis de Victoria (c.1548–c.1611) - Renowned Spanish Renaissance composer, comparable to Palestrina and Lassus. Celebrated for intense motets and sacred vocal compositions, especially Offices for the Dead and Holy Week. A Catholic priest, adept organist, and singer, his career extended across Spain and Italy. Focused on composing over performing, leaving a nearly exclusive legacy of sacred, polyphonic vocal music with Latin texts.

Giovanni Gabreli

1554

Giovanni Gabrieli (c. 1554/1557 – 12 August 1612) was an Italian composer and organist. He was one of the most influential musicians of his time, and represents the culmination of the style of the Venetian School, at the time of the shift from Renaissance to Baroque idioms.

Carlo Gesualdo

1566

Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa (c. 30 March 1566 – 8 September 1613) was Prince of Venosa and Count of Conza. As a composer he is known for writing madrigals and pieces of sacred music that use a chromatic language not heard again until the late 19th century. He is also known for killing his first wife and her aristocratic lover upon finding them in flagrante delicto.

Claudio Monteverdi

1567

Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi (baptized 15 May 1567 – 29 November 1643) was an Italian composer, choirmaster and string player. A composer of both secular and sacred music, and a pioneer in the development of opera, he is considered a crucial transitional figure between the Renaissance and Baroque periods of music history.

Barroc

Period: 1600 to 1700

Giacomo Carissimi

1605

(Gian) Giacomo Carissimi, Italian composer (1605–1674), a prominent figure in the early Baroque, specifically the Roman School. Renowned for shaping the Latin oratorio, he prolifically composed masses, motets, and cantatas. Carissimi's influence extended to northern European countries through pupils like Kerll in Germany and Charpentier in France, contributing significantly to musical developments.

Barbara Strozzi

1619

Barbara Strozzi was an Italian composer and singer of the Baroque Period. During her lifetime, Strozzi published eight volumes of her own music, and had more secular music in print than any other composer of the era. This was achieved without any support from the Church and with no consistent patronage from the nobility.

Antonio Stradivari

1642

Antonio Stradivari (c. 1644 – 18 December 1737), an Italian luthier, crafted renowned string instruments, including violins, cellos, guitars, violas, and harps. The Latinized form "Stradivarius" and colloquial "Strad" commonly denote his instruments. With approximately 1,116 produced, 960 being violins, only around 650 survive, making them highly esteemed and valuable collector's items, recognized as some of the finest ever crafted.

Henry Purcel

1659

Purcell's musical style was uniquely English, although it incorporated Italian and French elements. Generally considered among the greatest English opera composers, Purcell is often linked with John Dunstaple and William Byrd as England's most important early music composers. No later native-born English composer approached his fame until Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst, William Walton and Benjamin Britten in the 20th century.

Antonio Vivaldi

1678

Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) - Italian Baroque composer, virtuoso violinist. Influential alongside Bach and Handel. Pioneer in orchestration, violin technique, and concertos, notably "The Four Seasons." Composed for Ospedale della Pietà. Ordained at 25, excused from Mass due to health. Operatic success in Venice, Mantua, Vienna. Sought royal support in Vienna, faced poverty post-Emperor's death. 20th-century revival, rediscovered works. Globally popular, enduring musical legacy.

Georg Philippe Telemann

1681

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681–1767), a prolific German Baroque composer and multi-instrumentalist. Among history's most prolific composers, he was highly regarded in his time, compared favorably to contemporaries like Bach and Handel. Telemann's influence extended to personal connections, being the godfather to Bach's son Carl Philipp Emanuel.

Johan Sebastian Bach

1685

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) - German Baroque composer known for orchestral, instrumental, keyboard, organ, and vocal works. Orphaned at 10, educated in Lüneburg, worked in Thuringia, Weimar, Köthen. Thomaskantor in Leipzig from 1723. Adapting styles from Italy and France, he enriched German music with counterpoint, harmony, and motifs. Valued as an 18th-century organist, later recognized for keyboard music. 19th-century biographies, BWV catalogue. Died in 1750 at 65

Georg Friedich Händel

1685

George Frideric Handel, a German-British Baroque composer (1685–1759), known for operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concertos. Trained in Halle, he worked in Hamburg and Italy before settling in London in 1712. Influenced by German polyphony and Italian Baroque, Handel's music epitomizes "high baroque," excelling in Italian opera, English oratorio, and organ concerto, reshaping English church music. Naturalized as British in 1727, he's hailed as one of the greatest composers.

Nannerl Mozart

1751

was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's older sister. A talented musician herself, but societal constraints limited her opportunities. She showcased musical prowess during Mozart family tours, yet her compositions are less known due to the era's gender bias.

Christoph Willibald Gluck

1752

Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714–1787) was a German composer, known for his operatic reforms. His works, like "Orfeo ed Euridice," emphasized simplicity and natural expression, influencing the transition from Baroque to Classical opera.

Wolfang Amadeus Mozart

1756

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was a prolific Austrian composer and musical prodigy. Renowned for his mastery in classical music, he composed over 600 works, including operas, symphonies, and chamber music, leaving an enduring legacy.

Josheph Haydn

1757

Joseph Haydn (1732–1809), an Austrian composer, is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet." His compositions, including 104 symphonies, contributed significantly to the development of Classical music, showcasing innovation and mastery.

María theresia Von Paradis

1759

Maria Theresia von Paradis, 18th-century Austrian musician and composer. Gifted pianist and singer, blinded at an early age. Renowned for her musical talent, performing across Europe. Composed piano works, songs, and chamber music. Overcame adversity to leave a lasting musical legacy.

Ludwing Van Beethoven

1770

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827), a German composer and pianist, was a pivotal figure in the transition from Classical to Romantic music. Deaf later in life, he composed iconic works like the Ninth Symphony and "Für Elise," leaving an enduring legacy of emotional depth and innovation.

Giochini Rossini

1792

Gioachino Rossini, Italian composer known for his operas during the bel canto era. Celebrated for works like "The Barber of Seville" and "William Tell." Prolific and influential, his compositions display wit, energy, and melodic brilliance, contributing significantly to operatic repertoire

Franz Schubert

1797

Franz Schubert, Austrian composer of the early Romantic period. Renowned for lieder (German art songs) and symphonic works. Gifted melodist, produced over 600 vocal compositions and nine symphonies. Died young, but his impactful contributions greatly influenced later composers.

Felix Mendelssohn

1809

Felix Mendelssohn, German composer and conductor of the Romantic era. Gifted prodigy, known for works like "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Italian Symphony." Blended classical forms with Romantic expression. A versatile musician, his contributions spanned orchestral, chamber, and choral music.

Robert Schumann

1810

Robert Schumann, German composer and influential music critic. Key figure in the Romantic era. Renowned for piano works, lieder, and orchestral compositions. Co-founder of the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik. His music reflects emotional depth and innovation in form.

Frederic Chopin

1810

Frédéric Chopin, Polish-French composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era. Known for expressive and emotive piano compositions, including nocturnes, preludes, and ballades. His music reflects a delicate blend of lyricism, technical brilliance, and nationalistic elements, leaving an indelible mark on piano repertoire

Franz Liszt

1811

Franz Liszt, Hungarian composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era. Renowned for his dazzling piano performances and innovative compositions. Introduced new techniques like the symphonic poem. A central figure in the 19th-century musical scene, his influence extended beyond the piano, shaping future generations of composers.

Giuseppe Verdi

1813

Giuseppe Verdi, prominent Italian Romantic composer. Master of opera, created timeless works such as "La Traviata" and "Rigoletto." Captured human emotion with powerful melodies and dramatic storytelling. A central figure in Italian musical history, his operas remain staples of the repertoire.

Richard Wagner

1813

Richard Wagner, German composer known for groundbreaking operas like "Tristan und Isolde" and "The Ring Cycle." Revolutionized opera with complex harmonies and use of leitmotifs. His influence extended beyond music, impacting philosophy and theater. Controversial figure, his works remain integral to the operatic repertoire.

Clara Schumann

1819

Clara Schumann, a renowned German composer and pianist in the 19th century, was a leading figure in Romantic music. Known for her virtuosity, she composed exquisite piano works and gained recognition for her influential contributions to classical music.

Héctor Berlioz

1819

Hector Berlioz, a French Romantic composer, created groundbreaking orchestral works such as "Symphonie fantastique." His innovative approach to orchestration and passion for programmatic music had a profound impact on the 19th-century musical landscape.

Bedrîch Smetana

1824

Bedřich Smetana, Czech composer, shaped Czech classical music in the 19th century. His "Ma Vlast" symphonic poem is celebrated for its nationalistic spirit, leaving an enduring impact on the musical landscape.

Johannes Brahms

1833

Johannes Brahms, German composer and pianist of the Romantic era. Known for symphonies, chamber music, and German Requiem. Meticulous craftsmanship, blending classical forms with expressive depth. Esteemed for his contribution to the Romantic musical canon.

Modesto Musorgsky

1839

Modest Mussorgsky, a Russian composer, was part of the "Mighty Handful." His bold and innovative works, like "Pictures at an Exhibition," showcase a unique Russian musical identity and a departure from traditional Western styles.

Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky

1840

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a Russian composer, crafted enduring masterpieces like "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker." His emotionally rich and melodic compositions are celebrated for their profound impact on classical music.

Korsakov

1840

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, a Russian composer, was a key figure in the "Mighty Handful." Known for orchestrating vivid, exotic themes, his works include "Scheherazade" and "Flight of the Bumblebee."

Dvorak

1841

Antonín Dvořák, born on September 8, 1841, was a Czech composer renowned for his symphonies, chamber music, and operas. His works, like the "New World Symphony," reflect a fusion of Bohemian folk influences with classical forms.

Edvard Grieg

1843

Edvard Grieg, a Norwegian composer born on June 15, 1843, is celebrated for his nationalistic compositions. Famous for "Peer Gynt Suite" and the Piano Concerto in A minor, Grieg's music often incorporates Norwegian folk elements, leaving a lasting impact on Romantic-era music.

Giacomo Puccini

1858

Giacomo Puccini, Italian composer renowned for operas like "La Bohème," "Tosca," and "Madama Butterfly." Master of verismo style, portraying real-life emotions. Melodic richness, lush orchestrations, and poignant storytelling define his enduring contribution to opera.

Hugo Wolf

1860

Hugo Wolf, Austrian late-Romantic composer known for lieder (art songs). Composed over 200 songs, setting poetry to music with emotional intensity. Struggled with mental health, leaving a profound musical legacy despite a tragically short life.

Guatav Mahler

1860

Gustav Mahler, Austrian late-Romantic composer and conductor. Renowned for expansive symphonies with deep emotional and philosophical themes. Blended traditional and innovative elements, influencing later 20th-century composers. A complex, introspective artist who left an enduring mark on classical music.

Debussy

1862

Claude Debussy, a French composer born on August 22, 1862, was a leading figure in Impressionist music. Renowned for works like "Clair de Lune" and "La Mer," his innovative harmonies and atmospheric compositions had a profound influence on the development of 20th-century classical music.

Jean Sibelius

1865

Jean Sibelius, a Finnish composer born on December 8, 1865, is acclaimed for his symphonies and tone poems. Notable works include "Finlandia" and the "Karelia Suite." His music reflects a deep connection to Finnish culture and landscapes, making him a key figure in Scandinavian classical music.

Arnold Schoenberg

1874

Arnold Schoenberg, an Austrian composer born on September 13, 1874, was a pivotal figure in 20th-century music. Known for developing the twelve-tone technique, his influential works include "Pierrot Lunaire" and "Verklärte Nacht." Schoenberg's innovations had a profound impact on the evolution of classical music

Manuel de Falla

1876

Manuel de Falla, a Spanish composer born on November 23, 1876, is celebrated for his contributions to Spanish music. Known for works like "El Amor Brujo" and "Nights in the Gardens of Spain," Falla's compositions reflect a fusion of traditional Spanish folk elements with modernist influences

Bartok

1881

Béla Bartók, a Hungarian composer born on March 25, 1881, was a leading figure in 20th-century music. Known for his ethnomusicological research and compositions like "Mikrokosmos" and "Concerto for Orchestra," Bartók's work reflects a unique blend of folk influences and modernist elements

Zoltan Kódaly

1882

Zoltán Kodály, a Hungarian composer born on December 16, 1882, was a prominent figure in 20th-century music. Renowned for his choral compositions, like the "Kodály Method" for music education, he contributed significantly to Hungarian and international musical culture.

Joaquín Turina

1882

Joaquín Turina, a Spanish composer born on December 9, 1882, was a key figure in 20th-century Spanish music. Noted for his piano music, chamber works, and compositions like "Danzas Fantásticas," Turina's music skillfully blends Spanish folk traditions with contemporary influences.

Igor Stravinsky

1882

Igor Stravinsky, a Russian composer born on June 17, 1882, was a revolutionary force in 20th-century music. Renowned for ballets like "The Rite of Spring" and "The Firebird," his diverse compositions spanned neoclassical and serialist styles, leaving an indelible mark on classical music.

Heitor Villalobos

1887

Heitor Villa-Lobos, a Brazilian composer born on March 5, 1887, significantly influenced Latin American classical music. Renowned for his rich and diverse compositions, including the "Bachianas Brasileiras" series, he skillfully blended Brazilian folk elements with Western classical traditions.

Gershwin

1898

George Gershwin, an American composer born on September 26, 1898, was a key figure in merging classical and jazz music. Famous for "Rhapsody in Blue" and "Porgy and Bess," Gershwin's innovative style left an enduring impact on 20th-century American music.

Oliver Messiaen

1908

Olivier Messiaen, a French composer born on December 10, 1908, was a visionary in 20th-century music. Notable for his use of modes of limited transposition and deep religious themes, his works include "Quartet for the End of Time" and "Turangalîla-Symphonie." Messiaen's compositions showcase a unique fusion of rhythmic complexity and spiritual depth.

Pierre Schafaer

1910

Pierre Schaeffer, a French composer and musicologist born on August 14, 1910, is considered a pioneer in electronic music. Known for his development of musique concrète, he experimented with recorded sounds, laying the groundwork for the electronic music genre.

John Cage

1912

John Cage, an American avant-garde composer born on September 5, 1912, was a pioneer in experimental music. Known for his innovative compositions, including "4'33"," where performers remain silent, Cage challenged traditional notions of music, embracing randomness and unconventional sounds in his works.

Pierre Henry

1927

Pierre Henry, a French composer born on December 9, 1927, was a significant figure in the realm of musique concrète and electronic music. Renowned for collaborations with Pierre Schaeffer, his influential works include "Symphonie pour un homme seul" and contributions to the development of electronic soundscapes.

Philip Glass

1937

Philip Glass, born in 1937, is an influential American composer. A leading figure in minimalism, his repetitive and evolving musical structures have left a profound impact on contemporary classical music. Notable works include "Einstein on the Beach" and film scores like "Koyaanisqatsi."