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Johann Pachelbel
Note* Date baptized, not born. Baroque composer, organist, and teacher. Most famous piece is Canon in D. -
Antonia Vivaldi
Baroque composer, Catholic Priest, and virtuoso Violinist. His most famous piece is his Four Seasons composition. -
George Frideric Handel
Baroque composer, famous for his operas, oratorios, anthems and organ concertos. Well known for the chorus "Hallelujah" from his oratorio Messiah. -
Johann Sebastian Bach
Composer, organist, harpsichordist, violest, violinist, or the Baroque era. A famous piece is Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. -
Franz Joseph Haydn
Classical composer, often called the Father of the Symphony and the Father of the String Quartet. A well known symphony is Farewell. -
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Classical composer. Said to be a prodigy, Violin, Piano, Harpsichord. The Marriage of Figaro is a famous piece. -
Ludwig Van Beethoven
Classical and Romantic composer, prodigious pianist, Moonlight Sonata is a famous piece. -
Frédéric Chopin
Romantic, Polish composer. Died 1849. A famous piece is op. 64 no. 1 "Funeral March". -
Wilhelm Richard Wagner
Died 1883. Romantic, German composer. Famous for his four operas, unlike other opera writers Wagner wrote both the Music and Libretto. His most famous work is Ride of the Valkyries, the beginning of the third act of his second opera. -
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Died 1893. Russian, Romantic composer. Andantino Simplice is a piece by him. -
Edvard Hagerup Grieg
Died September 4, 1907. Romantic, Norwegian composer and pianist. Widely considered one of the leading Romantic artists. Made use of traditional Norwegian folk influences in his compositions. His most famous piece is, by far, In the Hall of the Mountain King. -
Claude Debussy
Died 1918. Impressionist French composer. A famous piece is La Cathédrale Engloutie'. -
Scott Joplin
Died 1917. Ragtime composer. Famous piece was Maple Leaf Rag. -
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky
Died 1971. 20th century, Russian composer and pianist. A famous piece by him is the Firebird. -
Duke Ellington
Died 1974. American, Jazz composer and pianist. -
Louis Armstrong
Died 1971. American Jazz Trumpeter and singer. -
Alton Glenn Miller
Missing in Action. American big band leader, famous song is Little Brown Jug. -
Count Basie
Died 1984. American Jazz Pianist and organist. -
Benny Goodman
Died 1986. American Jazz and Swing clarinetist. -
John Cage
Avant Garde, American composer. Died 1992. A piece by him is Greek Ode. -
Billie Holiday
Diead 1959. Jazz and pop singer. Famous song is God Bless the Child. -
Ella Fitzgerald
Died 1996. American Jazz singer. -
Dizzy Gillespie
Died 1993. Jazz Trumpeter. Famous song is Round Midnight. -
Sarah Vaughan
Died 1990. American Jazz singer. Famous song is Black Coffee. -
Bill Haley
Died 1981, American Rock and Roll musician. Famous song is Rock around the Clock. -
BB King
American blues guitarist. Famous song, How Blue Can You Get -
Davis
Died 1991. American Jazz Trumpeter. Famous piece is Kind of Blue. -
Herbie Hancock
Post bob Keyboardist. Famous song is Watermelon Man. -
Jimi Hendrix
Died 1970. Amazing guitarist who played blues inspired hard rock with influences of jazz, classical, and middle eastern scales in his work. Laid the foundation of the heavy distorted tone to be found in heavy metal. -
The Who-Pete Townshend
Blues guitarist of the British Rock outfit The Who. Brainchild behind the band and ground breaking concept albums such as Tommy and Quadrophenia. Pioneered the "windmill" guitar picking style. -
The Clash-Joe Strummer
Died 2002. Joe Strummer is the Rhythm guitarist and singer of the Clash, effectifvely making him the frontman. The Clash are well known for their hard hitting punk work but also have some reggae influenced songs and structures. Their most famous work is London Calling.
