Music Composers

(Medieval Era) (1098-1179) daughter of a noble couple. Very religious raised in a church group. Famous works are chants. Famous work “alleluia, O virga mediatrix”

(Renaissance Era) (1525-1594) named for the town where he was born. Worked as organist in Italian churches worked mostly at St. Peters in Rome. Wrote sacred works especially masses (over 100) Famous work “Pope Marcellus Mass”

(Baroque Era)(1685-1750) German A life-long Lutheran church musician, mastered the art of counterpoint and is famous for both sacred works and secular music, including the well-known Brandenburg Concertos.

(Baroque Era) (1685-1759) Born in Germany, studied in Italy before settling in England for the remainder of his life. Most famous in his own day for his operas, he is best known today for his oratorio, The Messiah, and his suites of instrumental dances called Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks.

(Baroque Era) Nicknamed “The Red Priest” because of his red hair and fiery temperament, composed over 500 concertos, as well as other secular and sacred works.

(Classical Era) (1732-1809) Austrian composer. Spent much of his life in service to the Esterhazy family. Known as the “Father of the Symphony”

(Classical Era) (1756-1791) Austrian composer, greatest child prodigies ever. known for two genres of opera and the concerto.

(Classical Era) (1770-1827) Born in Germany, lived much of his life in Austria. completely deaf by the end of his life. Known for his strong temperament and willpower. served as a transition to the Romantic era, and his 32 piano sonatas, 16 string quartets, and 9 symphonies stand as the cornerstone of their respective repertoires. Known for piano sonatas.

(Romantic Era) German composer who was associated with the conservative school of Romanticism and who wrote in traditional forms of absolute music.”

(Romantic Era) Russian composer famous for his symphonies and ballets, including The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.”

(Romantic Era) German opera composer who pioneered the use of leitmotifs and who sought to create Gesamtkunstwerk (“Total Artwork”).”

(20^th c.) Viennese composer experimented with atonal composition and invented the technique of serialism.

(20^th C.) Russian composer famous for his ballets including The Firebird and The Rite of Spring, and who experimented with polyrhythms and polytonality.

(20^th C.) Hungarian composer researched folk songs, recorded them electronically, and used them in his compositions.

(20^th C.) Nicknamed ‘The Dean of American Composers’, he is best known for his populist works including Billy the Kid, Fanfare for the Common Man, and Appalachian Spring.