> Profiles & Biographies> Classical Composers

Clint Mansell, Film Composer
Clint Mansell, born in 1963, is a noted film composer. His most famous works come from the movies "Requiem for a Dream" and "The Fountain". Learn more about Clint Mansell in this composer profile.

Howard Shore
Howard Shore is best known for composing the score for "The Lord of the Rings". Learn more about Howard Shore in this profile.

A Profile of Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy was a key composer during the transition between the late Romantic Period to the 20th Century. Learn more about Claude Debussy in this classical music profile.

Charles Ives: A Profile of Charles Ives
Charles Ives, one of the greatest American composers of the 20th century, lead a very different life from that of other famous composers. Discover the history and life of this well known classical composer, Charles Ives.

Newman, Thomas: A Profile of Thomas Newman, Film Composer
Thomas Newman, a Hollywood composer heavy weight, has composed the scores for many of Hollywood's best movies. His classical style of music is addicting. Thomas Newman has been nominated for four Academy Awards for Best Original Score and has also won a Grammy for composing the main theme of HBO's hit series [i]Six Feet Under.[/i] Did you know several of his family members are also highly credited film composers? Find more about Thomas Newman, the great Hollywood composer.

Mahler, Gustav: A Profile of Mahler
Gustav Mahler was a passionate composer and an extremely talented conductor. His romantic period symphonies became persoanl statements of his innermost feelings. Because he was a perfectionist, many of the people he worked with, especially the musicians and performers, did not like him all too well. Nevertheless, Mahler's musical career was extremely successful. Discover more about this amazing composer and conductor in this profile.

Handel, George Frideric: A Profile of Handel
George Frideric Handel was a remarkable composer. Did you know he created the English oratorio? Handel's "Messiah" is probably his most famous work and is performed every year during the holiday season. Handel was born in Germany in the same year as Bach, but later moved to London. Come discover how different the two composers were.

Haydn, Franz Joseph: A Profile of Haydn
Haydn, unlike most composers, had a "reliable and steady" job composing music, directing, teaching, performing, and managing musicians from the royal Esterhazy family. During this time, Haydn composed many pieces of music for the courtly orchestra to perform. Did you know Haydn composed over 100 symphonies? Haydn, aside from Mozart, is the pinnacle of classical form.

Brahms, Johannes: A Profile of Brahms
As a result of Brahms' extensive travels and eagerness to meet composers and musicians, Brahms gained a large circle of friends including the Schumann's, Wagner, and Liszt. His thirst for knowledge lead him to amass a library of over 800 books. He also collected rare manuscripts and autographed scores by the many famous composers. Because of his vast resources of friends, talent, and knowledge, Brahms was able to create magnificent music.

Dvorak, Antonin: A Profile of Dvorak
Dvorak's musical talents and skills earned him honorary doctorates, prestigious awards, and other special honors. Despite his rough beginning, Dvorak was able to break through into international fame. With friends such as Brahms praising his music, nothing could truly get in the way of this great composer.

Chopin, Frederic: Profile of Chopin
Frederic Chopin lead an increadible life. Unable to further his talent, he moved to Paris away from his parents in Poland, never to return again. He yearned to be with them, but couldn't. He was an extraordinary pianist and teacher. Discover the life of this truley amazing composer, Frederic Chopin.

Profile: Vivaldi, Antonio
Antonio Vivaldi wrote an extraordinary amount of music. He composed 500 concertos, 21 operas, and 90 sonatas. Vivaldi, taught by his father, learned to play the violin as a child. Of his 500 concertos, 230 are for solo violin and strings.

Profile: Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner was to opera as Beethoven was to symphony. Wagner, unlike any other composer of his time, was not formally trained in music as a child. However untalented he was playing instruments, his muscical genius within was able to create masterworks. Discover the interesting life of Wagner and his works of art.

Profile: Johann Sebastian Bach
This profile of Johann Sebastian Bach will give you the information necessary to understand the life of the "father of counterpoint".

Profile: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
This profile of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will provide you with the information you need to learn about the life of this magnificent composer.

Ludwig van Beethoven - The Magnificent Master
Beethoven's biography, works list, composition history, and picture gallery can all be found on this web site.

The Mozart Project - Biography
A website devoted completely to W.A. Mozart. You will find a detailed biography, discography, compositions, and selected essays.

Antonio Vivaldi
An in-depth biography covering Antonio Vivaldi.

J. S. Bach Home Page
Bach's biography, complete works, and recommended recordings are featured on this site.

A Biography of Chopin
A thorough biography of Chopin.