C o mposers

Devout church organist, court composer, and the King of Counterpoint. Also a genius harpsichordist, violist, violinist and choirmaster. Humble and hardworking. Composed 1000+ pieces of music while raising 20 (!) children. Still liked a good beer with friends – when he had time!  

The famously hot-tempered German pianist and composer. A Romantic with a tendency to unhappy romances, notoriously stubborn. Revolutionised classical music, despite going deaf. Composed some of his most iconic works using just his musical memory.  

Fiery Frenchman. Pursued composition despite his dad wanting him to be a doctor. Hated rules, loved pushing boundaries. Often lonely, his innovations alienated him from his Parisian contemporaries. Had a flair for the dramatic and lived to write larger-than-life music – like vivid film soundtracks. 

Serious. Conservative. Picked up music early to support his struggling family. Mentored by Robert Schumann. Fell in love with Roberts wife, Clara. Achieved fame but never got over «impostor syndrome». Immensely self-critical, he took almost 22 years to finish his first symphony! Loved the outdoors, his friends, and strong coffee. 

A star conductor in his lifetime, but an underrated composer. Introspective and spiritual, he explored themes of life and death in his epic symphonies. Big fan of Richard Wagners while highly innovative. Could be moody and authoritarian, but still won hearts. Also an avid hiker and nature lover. 

Born in Salzburg. Achieved fame in Vienna. Child prodigy turned superstar composer. Worked hard and played harder. Died young, but didnt leave a stone untouched: operas, symphonies, concertos, church music, serenades… He wrote over 600 pieces of music!  

Rebellious. Innovative. Started composing at 6 and rocking critics with forward-thinking works when just a teenager. Fled post-1917 Revolution, later returning to become a scrutinised Soviet icon. Unhappily married, fully dedicated to his art. Forever remembered for his maverick spirit and craft as a storyteller in masterpieces like Peter and the Wolf or the ballet Romeo and Juliet. 

Born into the Russian, resettled in Beverly Hills. Virtuoso pianist turned composer. Shy and mired in self-doubt, despite his talent. His tunes? Absolute fire and goosebumps guaranteed. Sometimes called «the last Romantic hero», this giant also boasted the largest hands in the history of piano performance!  

French composer with Basque roots. WWI veteran. Snappy dresser, man about town. Composed with childlike innocence, nostalgia, and a modern twist. Most famous for that ice skating classic, Bolero. Ravels piano music provided Kris Bowers with inspiration for his Netflix Bridgerton soundtrack! 

Beloved German composer and music critic with a poetic soul. Dropped out of law school to pursue music. Happily married to piano star Clara Schumann. Family man. Dreamer. Battled (and eventually died from) debilitating mental illness. A master of melody, his tunes are timeless. 

Daring composer and pianist. Lived in fear for his life under Joseph Stalin and his successors. Went from Soviet Poster Boy to persona non grata several times, which caused much psychological distress. Still celebrated internationally as the great symphonist of the 20th century. 

German conductor and composer. Philosopher. Poetry lover. Famous for writing rich and colourful music that brings stories to life. Keen walker and ice-skater in his spare time – and even keener card-player. Could teach modern-day hipsters a lesson or two on how to style a moustache.