If one were to write a brief summary of the history of classical music or even the impact it had on the world, you would have yourself a 100 page book. Classical music has been around since well, no one really knows when exactly, but lets just say a very long time. And during that time it has changed the world with it's brilliant and famous composers.

When you hear classical music one of the first names that may come to mind is Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven was a German composer who was born in Bonn but lived in Vienna. He started out as a pianist but that career was ruined when he became deaf. From then on he began composing where he enlarged classical forms of the symphony, concerto, string quartet, and sonata, while at the same time expressing the power of music. He was a free spirit and he never let his deafness and frequent ill-health stop him. His many works include 9 different symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 16 string quartets, 32 piano sonatas, and much, much more. He has truly had an enormous impact on music.

Another famous composer is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Austrian composer, born in Salzburg, began life as a child prodigy. His father took him round the courts of Europe and he won much praise and fame. When he was a young man he held a post with the Archbishop of Salzburg, but when that ended he had to rely on his own resources, he ended up dying in poverty. His greatest music is present in his operas or orchestral work which held very advanced musical thinking for his time. His many works include 5 operas, 5 symphonies, 3 piano concertos, 3 string quartets, and his last masterpiece was a Requiem Mass but he died before it was finished. He said that he was writing that piece for his own funeral.

Another composer who isn't very well known personally but his work is world famous. His name is Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky. He was the first Russian composer whose work became internationally famous. He went on tours of the United States and Europe but because of personal problems remained unhappy. His music, typically Russian style, was composed in musical form. He added his own special gifts for dramatic orchestration and melody. All of his work held great personal expression. His principal works are: 6 symphonies, 3 piano concertos, 1 violin concerto, 2 operas, and the 3 very famous ballets, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker.