Classical Music Composers

Western classical music spans roughly 1000 years — from plainchant (Gregorian, 9th century) through the Baroque (Bach, Handel, Vivaldi), Classical (Haydn, Mozart, early Beethoven), Romantic (late Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Verdi), and Modern periods (Debussy, Stravinsky, Bartók, Shostakovich, Messiaen, Arvo Pärt). The Western orchestral tradition is unique in music history for its complexity, emotional range, and durability. Beethoven composed his Ninth Symphony (the 'Ode to Joy') while completely deaf — never hearing it performed. It premiered in Vienna in 1824 to a standing ovation that Beethoven couldn't hear; a soloist turned him around to see the applause. Mozart composed over 600 works before dying at 35. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier established the tuning system used by all Western music. Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture called for actual cannon fire.