The Classical Period: 1750-1820
Mozart (1756-1791)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Austria and was recognized as a child prodigy at a very young age. He was composing by the time he was five and gave his first public performance at the age of six.
Mozart died at the young age of 35, but in his lifetime he composed over 600 works for opera, piano, string quartets and the symphony.
Haydn (1732-1809)
Franz Joseph Haydn was also born in Austria and was very prolific like Mozart. He career in music began when was he was a choirboy in Vienna.
He was considered the father of the string quartet, and his piano works and 104 symphonies have had a major influence in classical music.
Beethoven (1770-1827)
Ludwig van Beethoven is considered one of the most important composers of all time, and his music was influential in the classical and the romantic eras. He was very prolific, even after he lost his hearing in his early thirties.
His compositions were known for being groundbreaking and very emotional at times. He is famous for his 9 symphonies in which he developed the form to perfection.
His piano sonatas and concertos have made a major impact in the literature, with the two most famous solo piano works being the Moonlight Sonata and Fur Elise.
The composers of the Classical era were often affected by revolutions of the time period.