Famous Composers: Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Bach & Musical Eras Overview

Born in the Russian Empire in 1840

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Known for beautiful melodies and dramatic emotion

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Pursued civil service before becoming a composer

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Attended the Saint Petersburg Conservatory

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Famous for the ballets Swan Lake and The Nutcracker

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Wrote symphonies, operas, and concertos

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Music often reflects his personal sadness

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1756

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Considered a child prodigy, composing by age five

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Traveled through Europe playing for royalty

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wrote over 600 pieces in 35 years

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Music was elegant, clear, and well-structured

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Experimented with new musical ideas

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Faced financial challenges despite talent

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Born in Germany in 1685

Johann Sebastian Bach

Came from a large family of musicians

Johann Sebastian Bach

Master of counterpoint (multiple independent melodies)

Johann Sebastian Bach

Played the organ, violin, viola, and clavichord

Johann Sebastian Bach

Wrote over 1,000 religious and non-religious pieces

Johann Sebastian Bach

Music was well-structured and complex, mixing Italian, French, and German styles

Johann Sebastian Bach

Much important music was for the church

Medieval Era

Main type of music was Gregorian chant in Latin

Medieval Era

Music was monophonic (one melodic line)

Medieval Era

Rhythm followed the words, not a strict beat

Medieval Era

Troubadours wrote secular songs with or without instruments

Medieval Era

Polyphony began to appear later in the era

Medieval Era

Music was dramatic, complex, and decorative

Baroque Era

The harpsichord was an important instrument

Baroque Era

Musicians often improvised

Baroque Era

Used multiple independent melodies (polyphony)

Baroque Era

New forms like the concerto, sonata, and opera

Baroque Era

Orchestra was mainly strings

Baroque Era

Music was clear, balanced, and elegant

Classical Era

Composers focused on memorable melodies

Classical Era

Dynamics were marked for loudness and softness

Classical Era

The piano replaced the harpsichord

Classical Era

New forms: symphony, string quartet, concerto

Classical Era

Orchestras added wind and brass instruments

Classical Era

Music expressed deep personal emotion

Romantic Era

Inspired by nature, stories, and poetry

Romantic Era

Orchestras grew to more than 100 musicians

Romantic Era

Included programmatic music (telling stories without words)

Romantic Era

Focused on the composer's personal feelings

Romantic Era