Remembering Some of the Greatest Composers of All Time

Classical music has always been a source of some of the most talented musical geniuses of all time. You can go down the lists of composers and name hundreds of people that had a memorable composition, but only a few of them can be considered truly great. There are very few people that would argue that these are some of the best classical composers of all time.

The Baroque Era introduced us to one of the great trios of classical music. Leading the way was Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) who is arguably considered to be the greatest classical composer. While that point may be up for discussion, the fact that his Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor moves people in a way that possibly only one other composer is capable of is hardly a point for argument.

Along with Bach, George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) and Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) make up the threesome that the Baroque Era is famous for. Messiah is arguably Handel’s best work and Vivaldi will always be famous for The Four Seasons, but their entire collective body is worthy of notation. Composers today would do well to emulate any and all of these three composers.

The 18th century brought about one of the most unique personalities in classical music. The genius that was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1827) was taken away at far too early an age, but oh what an impression he left. It would be hard to pick any one of his Piano Concerto?s to single out as the best as they are all simply incredible. Right there with him was Ludwig Van Beethoven (1712-1773) and Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) to carry on the tradition of yet another trio of musical geniuses to bless a single era.

As the 18th century wound down and the 19th century arrived, it looked as though we would be without magic until Chopin (1810-1849) and Wagner (1813-1883) arrived. It was a few years between truly great composers, but classical music lovers were rewarded with the likes of Die Walkure and Etude in C Sharp Minor. Chopin was another life that was extinguished far too early, but luckily for the world, he managed to leave his stamp on it.

As the Romantic Era was ushered out and the Modern Era was ushered in, two more composers separated themselves from everyone else to set the standard for the 20th century. Aaron Copland (1900-1990) and George Gershwin (1898-1937) were far and away the most influential composers of their day. The Rhapsody in Blue still holds true as one of the greatest works of the era and Copland’s influences remain intact to this day.

Classical music may be one of the most beautiful styles of music that has ever been created. These composers set themselves apart as they created works that will forever be remembered. We can only hope that there is another prodigy out there somewhere that will continue this tradition.