Historical Figures in Classical Music

Medieval Period (500–1400)

• Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179):

  • Contributions: Composer, mystic, and writer; created some of the earliest surviving notated monophonic sacred music.

  • Key Works: Ordo Virtutum (liturgical drama), various plainchant.

• Guillaume de Machaut (1300–1377):

  • Contributions: Developed the polyphonic Mass and secular chansons.

  • Key Works: Messe de Nostre Dame (first complete setting of the Mass Ordinary by one composer).

Renaissance Period (1400–1600)

• Josquin des Prez (1450–1521):

  • Contributions: Master of polyphony; blended text and music expressively.

  • Key Works: Ave Maria... Virgo Serena, Missa Pange Lingua.

• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525–1594):

  • Contributions: Refined contrapuntal techniques; his works epitomize the Counter-Reformation style.

  • Key Works: Missa Papae Marcelli.

• Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643):

  • Contributions: Bridged the Renaissance and Baroque periods; pioneer of opera.

  • Key Works: L'Orfeo (one of the earliest operas), Vespers of 1610.

Baroque Period (1600–1750)

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750):

  • Contributions: Master of counterpoint; contributed to virtually all Baroque forms except opera.

  • Key Works: Brandenburg Concertos, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Mass in B Minor.

• George Frideric Handel (1685–1759):

  • Contributions: Known for operas, oratorios, and instrumental music.

  • Key Works: Messiah, Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks.

• Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741):

  • Contributions: Popularized the concerto form; wrote over 500 concertos.

  • Key Works: The Four Seasons.

Classical Period (1750–1820)

• Joseph Haydn (1732–1809):

  • Contributions: "Father of the Symphony" and the string quartet.

  • Key Works: The Creation, Symphony No. 104.

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791):

  • Contributions: Prolific in all major Classical forms; blended lyricism and structural clarity.

  • Key Works: Requiem, The Magic Flute, Symphony No. 41.

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827):

  • Contributions: Transitioned from Classical to Romantic style; expanded sonata and symphonic forms.

  • Key Works: Symphony No. 9, Piano Sonata No. 14 ("Moonlight").

Romantic Period (1820–1900)

• Franz Schubert (1797–1828):

  • Contributions: Master of lieder (art song) and lyrical compositions.

  • Key Works: Erlkönig, Symphony No. 8 ("Unfinished").

• Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849):

  • Contributions: Revolutionary piano compositions emphasizing expressiveness.

  • Key Works: Nocturnes, Ballades, Preludes.

• Richard Wagner (1813–1883):

  • Contributions: Innovated opera with leitmotifs and expanded orchestral techniques.

  • Key Works: The Ring Cycle, Tristan und Isolde.

• Johannes Brahms (1833–1897):

  • Contributions: Maintained Classical traditions while incorporating Romantic depth.

  • Key Works: Symphony No. 1, Ein deutsches Requiem.

20th Century and Beyond

• Claude Debussy (1862–1918):

  • Contributions: Pioneer of Impressionism, emphasizing color and atmosphere.

  • Key Works: Clair de Lune, Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune.

• Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971):

  • Contributions: Key figure in 20th-century modernism; explored rhythm and dissonance.

  • Key Works: The Rite of Spring, Firebird.

• Arnold Schoenberg (1874–1951):

  • Contributions: Developed the twelve-tone technique.

  • Key Works: Pierrot Lunaire, Suite for Piano, Op. 25.

• Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990):

  • Contributions: Bridged classical and popular music.

  • Key Works: West Side Story, Chichester Psalms.