We consider Bach as one of the supreme composers in the musical world. But in his lifetime J.S Bach was known as a brilliant organist and teacher rather than as a spectacular composer. Why was this the case?

Beethoven’s life not only mirrored some of the most tumultuous events in European history; but his health, including his deafness, affected his writing and musical output. By the end of his life, he had changed music forever.

A musical war raged during Brahms’ life, the conservatives against the radicals, even though they both believed their musical G-d was Beethoven. Brahms was firmly in the musically conservative camp.

Mozart was the most ‘complete’ composer, dominating in all forms of music. We know so many ‘facts’ about Mozart’s life but this class looks at the ‘truths’.

Tchaikovsky is considered Russia’s most popular composer but is also considered the first Russian composer to make a lasting impression internationally, while other Russian composers felt he was selling out to the West.

Wagner and Verdi were born in the same year and became famous for the same musical genre, but this is where the similarities end. The class contrasted the personality and music of both composer.