Classical Composer Biographies

Famed film composer, A. R. Rahman has been awarded and nominated for over 100 different awards. A. R. Rahman won the Golden Globe for Best Original Score for his work in "Slumdog Millionaire" as well as earned 3 Academy Award nominations for the same film. Learn more about A. R. Rahman in this composer profile.

Tchaikovsky was an extremely introverted person, despite his ability to hold incredibly animated conversations. Learn more about the life of Tchaikovsky, one of the great composers of the 19th century.

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

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, 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.

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 Six Feet Under. Did you know several of his family members are also highly credited film composers? Find more about Thomas Newman, the great Hollywood composer.

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.

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, 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.

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'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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Erik Satie, a colorful man with a fascinating personality, was a French composer who lead the avant-garde movement in music. Learn more about the life of Erik Satie.

Born in 1858, Giacomo Puccini was a great opera composer. Many of his works are included in almost all of the world's opera companies standard repertoire. Learn more about Giacomo Puccini in this profile.

Modest Mussorgsky was a true Russian patriot. His love for his country lead him to spend his life forging a way for a national school of Russian music. Learn more about the life of Modest Mussorgsky.

Giuseppe Verdi was the star in Italy's eye. Unlike many composers before him, he was fabulously successful and famous while he was alive. Learn about Giuseppe Verdi's life.