Classical music: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As	Western Classical music • Western art music

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The Russian National Orchestra, dressed in formal black attire, performs on stage in Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Moscow, with a conductor leading and pink-lit walls behind.

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Key People

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven

German composer

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Austrian composer

Joseph Haydn

Joseph Haydn

Austrian composer

Gluck

Christoph Willibald Gluck

German composer

Gioachino Rossini

Gioachino Rossini

Italian composer

Luigi Boccherini

Luigi Boccherini

Italian composer

Florence Price

Florence Price

American composer and pianist

David Helfgott

David Helfgott

Australian pianist

Marvin Hamlisch seated at a grand piano, wearing glasses and a dark shirt, with orchestral instruments and music stands visible in the background.

Marvin Hamlisch

American composer, pianist, and conductor

Brad Mehldau

Brad Mehldau

American musician

Thomas Arne, engraving (1782) after an illustration by Francesco Bartolozzi.

Thomas Arne

British composer

Ditters von Dittersdorf, Carl

Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf

Austrian composer and violinist

Vincenzo Bellini

Vincenzo Bellini

Italian composer

Cimarosa, Domenico

Domenico Cimarosa

Italian composer

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Gaspare Spontini

Italian musician

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Saverio Mercadante

Italian musician

François-Adrien Boieldieu

François-Adrien Boieldieu

French composer

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Jacqueline du Pré

British cellist

John Field, engraving by Carl Mayer

John Field

Irish composer

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Valentin Alkan

French pianist and composer

Antonio Vivaldi in full Antonio Lucio Vivaldi nicknamed il Prete Rosso (The Red Priest), was a Italian composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist.

Classical Composers