Classical Music Composers
Grade 6 · Music · Study Guide
Meet the legendary composers whose orchestral and chamber works formed the foundation of Western classical music.
Classical music has been shaped by brilliant composers who lived and worked over several centuries. The major eras of classical music include the Baroque period (c. 1600-1750), the Classical period (c. 1750-1820), and the Romantic period (c. 1820-1900).
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era. He wrote hundreds of works including The Well-Tempered Clavier and the Brandenburg Concertos. Bach was a master of counterpoint — weaving multiple melodic lines together.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was a child prodigy who began composing at age five. He wrote over 600 works in his short lifetime, including 41 symphonies, operas like The Magic Flute, and the famous Symphony No. 40. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the Classical period.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) bridged the Classical and Romantic periods. Remarkably, he continued composing even after becoming completely deaf, producing his Ninth Symphony — which includes the famous 'Ode to Joy' — while unable to hear a single note.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was a leading Romantic composer known for sweeping emotional melodies. He composed the beloved ballets Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker, as well as his 1812 Overture.
Key terms
- Baroque period
- An era of elaborate, ornate music from roughly 1600 to 1750, featuring composers like Bach and Handel.
- Classical period
- A musical era from roughly 1750 to 1820, emphasizing clarity, balance, and elegant form; associated with Mozart and Haydn.
- Romantic period
- A musical era from roughly 1820 to 1900 characterized by emotional expression, dramatic dynamics, and large orchestras.
- Symphony
- A large-scale orchestral composition typically in four movements, considered the highest form of orchestral music.
- Counterpoint
- The technique of combining two or more independent melodic lines that sound harmonious together, mastered by J.S. Bach.
- Prodigy
- A young person with exceptional talent; Mozart is history's most famous musical prodigy, composing from age five.
Flashcards
- J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
- Baroque master of counterpoint; composed The Well-Tempered Clavier, Brandenburg Concertos, and hundreds of sacred and secular works.
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
- Classical period prodigy who composed over 600 works including 41 symphonies, 27 piano concertos, and operas like Don Giovanni.
- Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
- Bridge between Classical and Romantic periods; composed 9 symphonies and continued working after losing his hearing completely.
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
- Russian Romantic composer known for the ballets Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker.
- George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
- Baroque composer best known for Messiah, an oratorio featuring the famous 'Hallelujah' chorus.
- Ode to Joy
- The famous choral finale of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, now recognized as the anthem of the European Union.
- The Nutcracker
- Tchaikovsky's beloved 1892 ballet featuring the 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' and the 'Waltz of the Snowflakes.'
- Brandenburg Concertos
- A set of six concertos composed by J.S. Bach around 1721, considered masterpieces of Baroque orchestral writing.
Questions
Which composer wrote the Ninth Symphony while completely deaf?
- Mozart
- Bach
- Beethoven
- Tchaikovsky
Show answer
Answer: Beethoven
Beethoven began losing his hearing in his late twenties and was completely deaf by 1816, yet he composed his monumental Ninth Symphony in 1824 without hearing a note.
Johann Sebastian Bach was a composer during the Romantic period.
Show answer
Answer: False
Bach (1685-1750) was a Baroque composer, not Romantic. The Romantic period ran roughly from 1820 to 1900, decades after Bach's death.
Tchaikovsky's famous ballet about toys coming to life at Christmas is called The ________.
Show answer
Answer: nutcracker
The Nutcracker is Tchaikovsky's 1892 ballet, one of the most performed ballets in the world, especially during the holiday season.
Mozart is known for beginning to compose at what age?
- Three
- Five
- Eight
- Ten
Show answer
Answer: Five
Mozart showed extraordinary musical talent from infancy and began composing at age five. By age six he was performing for European royalty.
The symphony known for the 'Ode to Joy' choral theme is Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
Show answer
Answer: True
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (1824) concludes with a choral movement setting Friedrich Schiller's poem 'Ode to Joy,' now one of the most recognized musical themes in the world.
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