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Famous Composers

Celebrate notable people with the title Composer, a diverse group whose work resonates far beyond music. Many have also shaped culture as writers, philosophers, artists, and leaders, intertwining sound with ideas, images, and public life. Their compositions reflect evolving traditions, technologies, and communities, from intimate chamber works to sweeping scores and boundary-pushing collaborations. Together, these figures show how composing can be both craft and catalyst, connecting audiences, advancing thought, and inspiring creativity across generations.
Author Nationality Year
Aaron Copland American 1900 - 1990
Alan Hovhaness, Tiny Alan Hovhaness American 1911 - 2000
Alban Berg Austrian 1885 - 1935
Alex North American 1910 - 1991
Alexander Borodin Russian 1833 - 1887
Alexander Scriabin Russian 1872 - 1915
Alfred Schnittke Russian 1934 - 1998
Andre Boucourechliev French 1925 - 1997
Andrew Lloyd Webber British 1948
Anne Boyd Australian 1946
Anne Dudley English 1956
Arnold Schoenberg Austrian 1874 - 1951
Arthur Schwartz American 1900 - 1984
Arthur Sullivan British 1842 - 1900
Arvo Part Estonian 1935
Barbara Kolb, Tiny Barbara Kolb American 1939
Bela Bartok Hungarian 1881 - 1945
Benjamin Britten, Tiny Benjamin Britten English 1913 - 1976
Big Bill Broonzy American 1893 - 1958
Billy Strayhorn American 1915 - 1967
Brian Ferneyhough British 1943
Bruno Walter, Tiny Bruno Walter German 1876 - 1962
Burt Bacharach American 1928 - 2023
Burton Lane American 1912 - 1997
Carl Maria von Weber German 1786 - 1826
Carlisle Floyd American 1926 - 2021
Carter Burwell American 1955
Charles Ives American 1874 - 1954
Claude Debussy, Tiny Claude Debussy French 1862 - 1918
Claudio Monteverdi Italian 1567 - 1643
Cole Porter American 1893 - 1964
Craig Armstrong Scottish 1959
Cy Coleman American 1929 - 2004
Darius Milhaud French 1892 - 1974
David Amram American 1930
David Baker, Tiny David Baker American 1931
David Del Tredici American 1937
Dimitri Shostakovich Russian 1906 - 1975
Earle Brown American 1926 - 2002
Edgard Varese, Tiny Edgard Varese French 1883 - 1965
Edward Elgar British 1857 - 1934
Elliott Carter American 1908 - 2012
Elmer Bernstein American 1922 - 2004
Ennio Morricone Italian 1928 - 2020
Erich Wolfgang Korngold Austrian 1897 - 1957
Erik Satie French 1866 - 1925
Eugene Chadbourne American 1951
Felix Mendelssohn German 1809 - 1847
Franz Lehar Austrian 1870 - 1948
Franz Liszt Hungarian 1811 - 1886
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