Classical Composers

Who composed the four seasons (Le quattro stagioni)?

Antonio Vivaldi, published in 1725; a set of four violin concertos depicting spring, summer, autumn, and winter

Who composed Symphony No. 5 (da-da-da-DUM)?

Ludwig van Beethoven, completed in 1808; one of the most recognized compositions in Western music

Who composed The Magic Flute?

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, premiered in 1791; a singspiel (opera with spoken dialogue) in two acts

Who composed the Nutcracker ballet?

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, premiered in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg

Who composed the Brandenburg Concertos?

Johann Sebastian Bach, composed around 1721; a collection of six instrumental works

Who composed Messiah (including the Hallelujah chorus)?

George Frideric Handel, first performed in Dublin in 1742

Who composed the New World Symphony (Symphony No. 9)?

Antonin Dvorak, premiered in 1893 at Carnegie Hall; inspired by his time in America

Who composed Clair de Lune?

Claude Debussy, published in 1905 as the third movement of Suite bergamasque

Who composed The Ride of the Valkyries?

Richard Wagner, from the opera Die Walkure (1870), the second of the four Ring Cycle operas

Who composed Bolero?

Maurice Ravel, composed in 1928; known for its persistent rhythmic ostinato and gradual crescendo