1. "Symphony No. 5", Ludwig van Beethoven

According to legend, Beethoven (1770-1827) could not come up with an introduction to Symphony No. 5 for a long time. But when he lay down to take a nap, he heard a knock on the door, and the rhythm of this knock became an introduction to this work. Interestingly, the first notes of the symphony correspond to the number 5, or V in Morse code.

2. O Fortuna, Carl Orff

Composer Carl Orff (1895-1982) is best known for this dramatic vocal cantata. It is based on the 13th century poem "Carmina Burana". It is one of the most frequently performed classical pieces around the world.

3. Hallelujah Chorus, Georg Friedrich Handel

Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759) wrote the oratorio Messiah in 24 days. Many melodies, including "Hallelujah", were later borrowed from this work and began to be performed as independent works. According to legend, Handel had music in his head played by angels. The text of the oratorio is based on biblical stories, Handel reflected the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

4. Ride of the Valkyries, Richard Wagner

This composition is taken from the opera "Valkyrie", which is part of the series of operas "Ring of the Nibelungen" by Richard Wagner (1813-1883). The opera "Valkyrie" is dedicated to the daughter of the god Odin. Wagner spent 26 years composing this opera, and this is only the second part of a grandiose masterpiece of four operas.

5. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Johann Sebastian Bach

This is probably the most famous work Bach (1685-1750), it is often used in films during dramatic scenes.

6. Little Night Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

(1756-1791) wrote this legendary 15-minute composition in just a week. It was officially published in 1827.

7. "Ode to Joy", Ludwig van Beethoven

Another masterpiece of Beethoven was completed in 1824. This is the most famous fragment of the Symphony No. 9. The most amazing thing is that by that time Beethoven had already become deaf and. nevertheless, managed to compose such an outstanding work.

8. "Spring", Antonio Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) - composer of the Baroque era, in 1723 he wrote four works, each of which personified one season. "Seasons" is still very popular, especially "Spring" and "Summer".

9. Pachelbel's Canon (Canon in D Major), Johann Pachelbel

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was a Baroque composer and is considered the most influential composer of this period. He amazed the world with his sophisticated and technical music.

10. Overture from the opera Wilhelm Tell, Gioacchino Rossini

This 12-minute composition by Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) is the last movement of a four-movement overture. Other parts are less well-known today, but this composition became famous due to the use of Warner Brother's Looney Tunes in Disney cartoons.

English version

The Russian school of composers, whose traditions were continued by the Soviet and today's Russian schools, began in the 19th century with composers who combined European musical art with Russian folk melodies, linking together the European form and the Russian spirit.

About each of these famous people you can tell a lot, everyone is not simple, and sometimes tragic fates, but in this review we have tried to give only a brief description of the life and work of composers.

1. Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka

(1804-1857)

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka while composing the opera Ruslan and Lyudmila. 1887, artist Ilya Efimovich Repin

“In order to create beauty, one must be pure in soul.”

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka is the founder of Russian classical music and the first domestic classical composer to achieve world fame. His works, based on the centuries-old traditions of Russian folk music, were a new word in the musical art of our country.

Born in the Smolensk province, educated in St. Petersburg. The formation of the worldview and the main idea of ​​​​Mikhail Glinka's work was facilitated by direct communication with such personalities as A.S. Pushkin, V.A. Zhukovsky, A.S. Griboyedov, A.A. Delvig. The creative impetus to his work was added by a long-term trip to Europe in the early 1830s and meetings with the leading composers of the time - V. Bellini, G. Donizetti, F. Mendelssohn and later with G. Berlioz, J. Meyerbeer.

Success came to M.I. Glinka in 1836, after staging the opera "Ivan Susanin" ("Life for the Tsar"), which was enthusiastically received by everyone, for the first time in world music, Russian choral art and European symphonic and opera practice were organically combined, and a hero similar to Susanin also appeared, whose image summarizes the best features of the national character.

VF Odoevsky described the opera as "a new element in Art, and a new period begins in its history - the period of Russian music."

The second opera, the epic Ruslan and Lyudmila (1842), which was worked on against the backdrop of Pushkin's death and in the difficult living conditions of the composer, due to the profoundly innovative nature of the work, was ambiguously received by the audience and the authorities, and brought M.I. Glinka heavy experiences. After that, he traveled a lot, living alternately in Russia and abroad, without stopping composing. Romances, symphonic and chamber works remained in his legacy. In the 1990s, Mikhail Glinka's "Patriotic Song" was the official anthem of the Russian Federation.

Quote about M.I. Glinka:“The entire Russian symphonic school, like the whole oak in an acorn, is contained in the symphonic fantasy “Kamarinskaya”. P.I. Tchaikovsky

Interesting fact: Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka was not distinguished by good health, despite this he was very easy-going and knew geography very well, perhaps if he had not become a composer, he would have become a traveler. He knew six foreign languages, including Persian.

2. Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin

(1833-1887)

Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin, one of the leading Russian composers of the second half of the 19th century, in addition to his talent as a composer, was a chemist, doctor, teacher, critic and had a literary talent.

Born in St. Petersburg, since childhood, everyone around him noted his unusual activity, enthusiasm and abilities in various directions, primarily in music and chemistry.

A.P. Borodin is a Russian nugget composer, he did not have professional musician teachers, all his achievements in music are due to independent work on mastering the technique of composing.

The formation of A.P. Borodin was influenced by the work of M.I. Glinka (as well as all Russian composers of the 19th century), and two events gave the impetus to dense occupation of composition in the early 1860s - firstly, the acquaintance and marriage with the talented pianist E.S. Protopopova, and secondly, the meeting with M.A. Balakirev and joining the creative community of Russian composers, known as the "Mighty Handful".

In the late 1870s and 1880s, A.P. Borodin traveled and toured extensively in Europe and America, met with the leading composers of his time, his fame grew, he became one of the most famous and popular Russian composers in Europe at the end of the 19th century. th century.

The central place in the work of A.P. Borodin is occupied by the opera "Prince Igor" (1869-1890), which is an example of national heroic epic in music and which he himself did not have time to finish (it was completed by his friends A.A. Glazunov and N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov). In "Prince Igor", against the backdrop of majestic paintings historical events, reflected the main idea of all the composer's work - courage, calm grandeur, spiritual nobility of the best Russian people and the mighty strength of the entire Russian people, manifested in the defense of the motherland.

Despite the fact that A.P. Borodin left a relatively small number of works, his work is very diverse and he is considered one of the fathers of Russian symphonic music, who influenced many generations of Russian and foreign composers.

Quote about A.P. Borodin:“Borodin's talent is equally powerful and amazing both in the symphony, and in the opera and in the romance. Its main qualities are gigantic strength and breadth, colossal scope, swiftness and impetuosity, combined with amazing passion, tenderness and beauty. V.V. Stasov

Interesting fact: The chemical reaction of silver salts of carboxylic acids with halogens, resulting in halogenated hydrocarbons, was named after Borodin, which he was the first to investigate in 1861.

3. Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky

(1839-1881)

“The sounds of human speech, as external manifestations of thought and feeling, must, without exaggeration and rape, become truthful, accurate music, but artistic, highly artistic.”

Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky is one of the most brilliant Russian composers of the 19th century, a member of the Mighty Handful. Mussorgsky's innovative work was far ahead of its time.

Born in the Pskov province. Like many talented people, from childhood he showed his ability in music, he studied in St. family tradition, military. The decisive event that determined that Mussorgsky was not born for military service, and for music, was his meeting with M.A. Balakirev and joining the "Mighty Handful".

Mussorgsky is great because in his grandiose works - the operas "Boris Godunov" and "Khovanshchina" captured dramatic milestones in music Russian history with a radical novelty that Russian music did not know before, showing in them a combination of mass folk scenes and a diverse wealth of types, the unique character of the Russian people. These operas, in numerous editions by both the author and other composers, are among the most popular Russian operas in the world.

Another outstanding work of Mussorgsky is the cycle of piano pieces "Pictures at an Exhibition", colorful and inventive miniatures are permeated with the Russian refrain theme and the Orthodox faith.

There was everything in Mussorgsky's life - both greatness and tragedy, but he was always distinguished by genuine spiritual purity and disinterestedness.

His last years were difficult - life's disorder, non-recognition of creativity, loneliness, addiction to alcohol, all this determined his early death at 42, he left relatively few compositions, some of which were completed by other composers.

The specific melody and innovative harmony of Mussorgsky anticipated some features musical development 20th century and played an important role in the development of the styles of many world composers.

Quote about M.P. Mussorgsky:“Originally Russian sounds in everything that Mussorgsky did” N. K. Roerich

Interesting fact: At the end of his life, Mussorgsky, under pressure from his "friends" Stasov and Rimsky-Korsakov, renounced the copyright to his works and presented them to Tertiy Filippov.

4. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

(1840-1893)

“I am an artist who can and must bring honor to his Motherland. I feel a great artistic power in myself, I have not yet done even a tenth of what I can do. And I want to do it with all the strength of my soul.”

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, perhaps the greatest Russian composer of the 19th century, raised Russian musical art to unprecedented heights. He is one of the most important composers of world classical music.

A native of the Vyatka province, although his paternal roots are in Ukraine, Tchaikovsky showed musical abilities from childhood, but his first education and work was in the field of law.

Tchaikovsky is one of the first Russian "professional" composers - he studied music theory and composition at the new St. Petersburg Conservatory.

Tchaikovsky was considered a "Western" composer, in contrast to the folk figures of the "Mighty Handful", with whom he had good creative and friendly relations, however, his work is no less imbued with the Russian spirit, he managed to uniquely combine the Western symphonic heritage of Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann with Russian traditions inherited from Mikhail Glinka.

The composer led active life- was a teacher, conductor, critic, public figure, worked in two capitals, toured Europe and America.

Tchaikovsky was a rather emotionally unstable person, enthusiasm, despondency, apathy, irascibility, violent anger - all these moods changed in him quite often, being a very sociable person, he always strove for loneliness.

It is a difficult task to single out something best from Tchaikovsky's work, he has several works of equal size in almost all musical genres Opera, ballet, symphony, chamber music. And the content of Tchaikovsky's music is universal: with inimitable melodism, it embraces the images of life and death, love, nature, childhood, works of Russian and world literature are revealed in a new way, deep processes of spiritual life are reflected in it.

Composer quote:“Life has charm only when it consists of the alternation of joys and sorrows, of the struggle between good and evil, of light and shadow, in a word, of diversity in unity.”

"Great talent requires great hard work."

Composer quote: “I am ready day and night to stand as a guard of honor at the porch of the house where Pyotr Ilyich lives - to such an extent I respect him” A.P. Chekhov

Interesting fact: Cambridge University in absentia and without defending a dissertation awarded Tchaikovsky the title of Doctor of Music, as well as the Paris Academy of Fine Arts elected him a corresponding member.

5. Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov

(1844-1908)


N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov and A.K. Glazunov with their students M.M. Chernov and V.A. Senilov. Photo 1906

Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov is a talented Russian composer, one of the most important figures in the creation of an invaluable domestic musical heritage. His peculiar world and worship of the eternal all-encompassing beauty of the universe, admiration for the miracle of being, unity with nature have no analogues in the history of music.

Born in the Novgorod province, according to family tradition, he became a naval officer, on a warship he traveled around many countries in Europe and two Americas. He received his musical education first from his mother, then taking private lessons from the pianist F. Canille. And again, thanks to M.A. Balakirev, the organizer of the Mighty Handful, who introduced Rimsky-Korsakov into the musical community and influenced his work, the world did not lose the talented composer.

The central place in the legacy of Rimsky-Korsakov is made up of operas - 15 works demonstrating a variety of genre, stylistic, dramatic, compositional solutions composer, nevertheless having a special style - with all the richness of the orchestral component, the main ones are melodic vocal lines.

Two main directions distinguish the composer's work: the first is Russian history, the second is the world of fairy tales and epic, for which he received the nickname "storyteller".

In addition to direct independent creative activity N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov is known as a publicist, compiler of collections folk songs, in which he showed great interest, and also as the finalist of the works of his friends - Dargomyzhsky, Mussorgsky and Borodin. Rimsky-Korsakov was the founder of the composer school, as a teacher and head of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, he produced about two hundred composers, conductors, musicologists, among them Prokofiev and Stravinsky.

Composer quote:“Rimsky-Korsakov was a very Russian man and a very Russian composer. I believe that this primordially Russian essence of his, his deep folklore-Russian basis, should be especially appreciated today. Mstislav Rostropovich

Fact about the composer: Nikolai Andreevich began his first lesson in counterpoint like this:

Now I will talk a lot, and you will listen very carefully. Then I will speak less, and you will listen and think, and, finally, I will not speak at all, and you will think with your own head and work independently, because my task as a teacher is to become unnecessary to you ...

Among these melodies there is a motive for any mood: romantic, positive or dreary, to relax and not think about anything, or, conversely, to collect your thoughts.

twitter.com/ludovicoeinaud

The Italian composer and pianist works in the direction of minimalism, often turns to ambient and skillfully combines classical music with other musical styles. He is known to a wide circle for atmospheric compositions that have become soundtracks for films. For example, you will surely recognize the music from the French tape "1 + 1" written by Einaudi.


themagger.net

Glass is one of the most controversial personalities in the world of modern classics, which is either praised to the skies, or to the nines. He has been with his own Philip Glass Ensemble for half a century and has written music for more than 50 films, including The Truman Show, The Illusionist, Taste of Life and The Fantastic Four. The melodies of the American minimalist composer blur the line between classical and popular music.


latimes.com

The author of many soundtracks, the best film composer of 2008 according to the European Film Academy and a post-minimalist. Captivated critics from the first album Memoryhouse, in which Richter's music was superimposed on poetry readings, and subsequent albums also used fictional prose. In addition to writing his own ambient compositions, Max arranges classical works: Vivaldi's The Four Seasons topped the iTunes charts in his arrangement.

This creator instrumental music from Italy is not associated with sensational cinema, but is already known as a composer, virtuoso and experienced piano teacher. If you describe the work of Marradi in two words, then these will be the words "sensual" and "magical". His compositions and covers will appeal to those who love retro classics: the notes of the last century show through in the motives.


twitter.com/coslive

The famous film composer has created musical accompaniment for many high-grossing films and cartoons, including Gladiator, Pearl Harbor, Inception, Sherlock Holmes, Interstellar, Madagascar, The Lion King. His star flaunts on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and on his shelf are Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe. Zimmer's music is as different as the films listed, but regardless of the tone, it strikes a chord.


musicaludi.fr

Hisaishi is one of the most famous Japanese composers, having won four Japanese Academy Film Awards for best film score. Joe became famous for writing the soundtrack for the anime Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli or Takeshi Kitano's tapes, you'll surely admire Hisaishi's music. It is mostly light and light.


twitter.com/theipaper

This Icelandic multi-instrumentalist is just a boy compared to the listed masters, but by his 30s he managed to become a recognized neoclassicist. He recorded accompaniment to a ballet, won a BAFTA award for the soundtrack to the British TV series "Murder on the Beach" and released 10 studio albums. Arnalds' music is reminiscent of a harsh wind on a deserted seashore.


yiruma.manifo.com

Lee Rum's most famous works are Kiss the Rain and River Flows in You. Korean New Age composer and pianist writes popular classics, understandable to the listener on any continent, with any musical taste and education. His light and sensual melodies for many became the beginning of love for piano music.


fracturedair.com

The American composer is interesting in that, but at the same time he writes the most pleasant and quite popular music. O'Halloran's tunes have been used in Top Gear and several films. Perhaps the most successful soundtrack album was for the melodrama Like Crazy.


cultureaspettacolovenesia.it

This composer and pianist knows a lot about the art of conducting and how to create electronic music. But his main field is modern classic. Cacchapalla has recorded many albums, three of them with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His music flows like water, it's great to relax under it.

Here is a list of 10 composers you should know. About each of them it is safe to say that he is the greatest composer who has ever been, although in fact it is impossible, and indeed impossible, to compare music written over several centuries. However, all of these composers stand out among their contemporaries as composers who composed music of the highest caliber and who sought to push the boundaries of classical music to new limits. The list does not contain any order, such as importance or personal preference. Simply 10 great composers you should know.

Each composer is accompanied by a quotable fact of his life, remembering which you will look like an expert. And by clicking on the link to the names, you will recognize him full biography. And of course, you can listen to one of the significant works of each master.

The most important figure in world classical music. One of the most performed and respected composers in the world. He worked in all the genres that existed in his time, including opera, ballet, music for dramatic performances, and choral compositions. Instrumental works are considered to be the most significant in his legacy: piano, violin and cello sonatas, concertos for pianoforte, for violin, quartets, overtures, symphonies. The founder of the romantic period in classical music.

Interesting fact.

Beethoven first wanted to dedicate his third symphony (1804) to Napoleon, the composer was fascinated by the personality of this man, who seemed to many at the beginning of his reign a real hero. But when Napoleon proclaimed himself emperor, Beethoven crossed out his dedication on the title page and wrote only one word - "Heroic".

"Moonlight Sonata" by L. Beethoven, listen:

2. (1685-1750)

German composer and organist, representative of the Baroque era. One of the greatest composers in the history of music. During his life, Bach wrote more than 1000 works. All significant genres of that time are represented in his work, except for opera; he summarized the achievements musical art baroque period. Ancestor of the most famous musical dynasty.

Interesting fact.

During his lifetime, Bach was so underestimated that less than a dozen of his works were published.

Toccata and fugue in D minor by J.S. Bach, listen:

3. (1756-1791)

A great Austrian composer, instrumentalist and conductor, a representative of the Vienna Classical School, a virtuoso violinist, harpsichordist, organist, conductor, he had a phenomenal musical ear, memory and ability to improvise. As a composer who has excelled in every genre, he is rightfully considered one of the greatest composers in the history of classical music.

Interesting fact.

While still a child, Mozart memorized and wrote down the Miserere (Cat. chant to the text of the 50th Psalm of David) by the Italian Grigorio Allegri, having listened to it only once.

"Little Night Serenade" by W. A. ​​Mozart, listen:

4. (1813-1883)

German composer, conductor, playwright, philosopher. He had a significant impact on European culture at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, especially modernism. Wagner's operas amaze with their grand scale and eternal human values.

Interesting fact.

Wagner took part in the failed revolution of 1848-1849 in Germany and was forced to hide from arrest by Franz Liszt.

"Ride of the Valkyries" from the opera "Valkyrie" by R. Wagner, listen

5. (1840-1893)

Italian composer, central figure Italian opera school. Verdi had a sense of the stage, temperament and impeccable skill. He did not deny opera traditions (unlike Wagner), but rather developed them (the traditions of Italian opera), he transformed Italian opera, filled it with realism, gave it the unity of the whole.

Interesting fact.

Verdi was an Italian nationalist and was elected to the first Italian parliament in 1860, after Italy's independence from Austria.

Overture to D.Verdi's opera "La Traviata", listen:

7. Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (1882-1971)

Russian (American - after emigration) composer, conductor, pianist. One of the most important composers of the twentieth century. Stravinsky's work has been united throughout his career, although at different periods the style of his works was different, but the core and Russian roots remained, which manifested themselves in all his works, he is considered one of the leading innovators of the 20th century. His innovative use of rhythm and harmony has inspired and continues to inspire many musicians, and not just in classical music.

Interesting fact.

During World War I, Roman customs officials confiscated a portrait of Stravinsky by Pablo Picasso when the composer was leaving Italy. The portrait was painted in a futuristic manner and the customs officers mistook these circles and lines for some kind of encrypted secret material.

Suite from the ballet by I.F. Stravinsky " Firebird", listen:

8. Johann Strauss (1825-1899)

Austrian light music composer, conductor and violinist. "King of Waltzes", he worked in the genre of dance music and operetta. His musical heritage includes more than 500 waltzes, polkas, square dances and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas and ballets. Thanks to him, the waltz became extremely popular in Vienna in the 19th century.

Interesting fact.

The father of Johann Strauss is also Johann and also a famous musician, therefore the "king of waltzes" is called the younger or son, his brothers Joseph and Eduard were also famous composers.

Waltz by I. Strauss "On the Beautiful Blue Danube", listen:

9. Sergei Vasilyevich Rahmaninov (1873-1943)

Austrian composer, one of the prominent representatives of the Viennese classical music school and one of the founders of romanticism in music. In his short life, Schubert made significant contributions to orchestral, chamber and piano music that influenced an entire generation of composers. However, his most striking contribution was to the development of German romances, of which he created more than 600.

Interesting fact.

Schubert's friends and fellow musicians would get together and play Schubert's music. These meetings were called "Schubertiads" (Schubertiads). Some first fan club!

"Ave Maria" F.P. Schubert, listen:

Continuing the theme of the great composers you should know, new material.

Listen to something from the classics - what could be better?! Especially on weekends, when you want to relax, forget about the worries of the day, the worries of the work week, dream about the beautiful, and just cheer yourself up. Just think about it, classical works were created by brilliant authors so long ago that it is hard to believe that something can survive so many years. And these works are still loved and listened to, they create arrangements and modern interpretations. Even in modern processing, works brilliant composers remain classical music. As Vanessa Mae admits, classics are genius, and all genius cannot be boring. Probably, all great composers have a special ear, a special sensitivity to tone and melody, which allowed them to create music that is enjoyed by dozens of generations not only of their compatriots, but also of classical music fans all over the world. If you are still in doubt if you love classical music, then you need to meet Benjamin Zander and you will see that in fact, you are already a longtime fan of beautiful music.

And today we will talk about the 10 most famous composers in the world.

Johann Sebastian Bach


The first place is deservedly Johann Sebastian Bach. A genius was born in Germany. The most talented composer wrote music for harpsichord and organ. The composer did not create a new style in music. But he was able to create perfection in all the styles of his time. He is the author of over 1000 essays. In his works Bach combined different musical styles with which he met throughout his life. Often musical romanticism was combined with the Baroque style. In life Johann Bach as a composer not receiving the recognition he deserved, interest in his music arose almost 100 years after his death. Today he is called one of the greatest composers ever living on earth. His uniqueness as a person, teacher and musician was reflected in his music. Bach laid the foundations of modern and contemporary music, dividing the history of music into pre-Bach and post-Bach. It is believed that music Bach gloomy and gloomy. His music is rather fundamental and solid, restrained and concentrated. Like the reflections of a mature, wise person. Creation Bach influenced many composers. Some of them took an example from his works or used themes from them. And musicians all over the world play music Bach admiring her beauty and perfection. One of the most notorious works "Brandenburg Concerts"- excellent proof that music Bach cannot be considered too gloomy:


Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart rightfully considered a genius. At the age of 4 he already played the violin and harpsichord freely, at the age of 6 he began to compose music, and at 7 he already skillfully improvised on the harpsichord, violin and organ, competing with famous musicians. Already at the age of 14 Mozart- a recognized composer, and at the age of 15 - a member of the music academies of Bologna and Verona. By nature, he had a phenomenal ear for music, memory and the ability to improvise. He created an amazing number of works - 23 operas, 18 sonatas, 23 piano concertos, 41 symphonies and much more. The composer did not want to imitate, he tried to create new model reflecting the new personality of music. It is no coincidence that music in Germany Mozart called "the music of the soul", in his works the composer showed the features of his sincere, loving nature. The greatest melodist attached special importance to the opera. operas Mozart- an epoch in the development of this type of musical art. Mozart widely recognized as one of the greatest composers: his uniqueness lies in the fact that he worked in all musical forms of his time and in all achieved the highest success. One of the most recognizable works "Turkish March":


Ludwig van Beethoven

Another great German Ludwig van Beethoven was an important figure of the Romantic-classical period. Even those who know nothing about classical music know about him. Beethoven is one of the most performed and respected composers in the world. Great composer witnessed the grandiose upheavals that occurred in Europe and redrawn its map. These great coups, revolutions and military confrontations are reflected in the composer's work, especially symphonic. He embodied in music pictures of the heroic struggle. IN immortal works Beethoven you will hear the struggle for freedom and brotherhood of people, unshakable faith in the victory of light over darkness, as well as dreams of freedom and happiness of mankind. One of the most famous and amazing facts of his life is that the ear disease developed into complete deafness, but despite this, the composer continued to write music. He was also considered one of the best pianists. Music Beethoven surprisingly simple and accessible to the understanding of the most broad circles listeners. Generations change, and even eras, and music Beethoven still excites and pleases the hearts of people. One of his the best works - "Moonlight Sonata":


Richard Wagner

With the name of a great Richard Wagner most often associated with his masterpieces "Wedding Choir" or "Ride of the Valkyries". But he is known not only as a composer, but also as a philosopher. Wagner considered his musical works as a way of expressing a certain philosophical concept. FROM Wagner a new musical era opera. The composer tried to bring the opera closer to life, music for him is only a means. Richard Wagner- the creator of musical drama, the reformer of operas and the art of conducting, the innovator of the harmonic and melodic language of music, the creator of new forms of musical expression. Wagner- the author of the world's longest solo aria (14 minutes 46 seconds) and the world's longest classical opera (5 hours and 15 minutes). In life Richard Wagner was considered a controversial person who was either adored or hated. And often both at the same time. Mystical symbolism and anti-Semitism made him Hitler's favorite composer, but blocked the way for his music to Israel. However, neither supporters nor opponents of the composer deny his greatness as a composer. Great music from the very beginning Richard Wagner absorbs you without a trace, leaving no room for disputes and disagreements:


Franz Schubert

Austrian composer Franz Schubert- musical genius, one of the best song composers. He was only 17 when he wrote his first song. In one day he could write 8 songs. For my creative life he created over 600 compositions, based on poems by over 100 great poets, including Goethe, Schiller and Shakespeare. That's why Franz Schubert in the top 10. Although creativity Schubert very diverse, in terms of the use of genres, ideas and reincarnations, vocal-song lyrics prevail and determine in his music. Before Schubert the song was considered an insignificant genre, and it was he who elevated it to the degree of artistic perfection. Moreover, he combined seemingly unconnected song and chamber-symphonic music, which gave rise to a new direction of lyrical-romantic symphony. Vocal-song lyrics are a world of simple and deep, subtle and even intimate human experiences, expressed not by words, but by sound. Franz Schubert lived a very short life, only 31 years old. The fate of the composer's works is no less tragic than his life. After death Schubert many unpublished manuscripts remained, stored in bookcases and drawers of relatives and friends. Even the closest people did not know everything that he wrote, and for for long years he was recognized mainly only as the king of song. Some of the composer's works were published only half a century after his death. One of the most loved and famous works Franz Schubert - "Evening Serenade":


Robert Schumann

With a no less tragic fate, the German composer Robert Schumann- one of the best composers of the romantic era. He created amazingly beautiful music. To get an idea of ​​19th-century German Romanticism, just listen to "Carnival" Robert Schumann. He was able to break out of the musical traditions of the classical era, creating his own interpretation of the romantic style. Robert Schumann was gifted with many talents, and even for a long time could not decide between music, poetry, journalism and philology (he was a polyglot and freely translated from English, French and Italian). He was also an amazing pianist. And yet the main vocation and passion Schuman there was music. His poetic and deeply psychological music largely reflects the duality of the composer's nature, an outburst of passion and a retreat into the world of dreams, awareness of the vulgar reality and striving for the ideal. One of the masterpieces Robert Schumann which everyone needs to hear:


Frederic Chopin

Frederic Chopin, perhaps the most famous Pole in the world of music. Neither before nor after the composer was a musical genius of this level born in Poland. The Poles are incredibly proud of their great compatriot, and in their work Chopin more than once glorifies the motherland, admires the beauty of landscapes, laments the tragic past, dreams of a great future. Frederic Chopin- one of the few composers who wrote music exclusively for the piano. In his creative heritage there are no operas or symphonies, but piano pieces are presented in all their diversity. Artworks Chopin- the basis of the repertoire of many famous pianists. Frederic Chopin- Polish composer, who is also known as a talented pianist. He lived only 39 years, but managed to create many masterpieces: ballads, preludes, waltzes, mazurkas, nocturnes, polonaises, etudes, sonatas and much, much more. One of them - "Ballad No. 1, in G minor".