A symphony often has 3 to 4 movements. The beginning is moderately fast, the next section is slow followed by a minuet and then a very fast conclusion. Symphonies had its roots from Baroque sinfonias but composers like Haydn (known as "The Father of the Symphony") and Beethoven (whose popular work includes the "Ninth Symphony") further developed and influenced this music form. Let's get to know more composers behind some of the greatest symphonies ever written.
11. Robert Schumann
Public Domain Image from Wikimedia Commons
Robert Schumann was a German composer who served as the voice of other Romantic composers. His piano and organ teacher was Johann Gottfried Kuntzsch, When he was 18, Friedrich Wieck, the father of the woman Schumann eventually married, became his piano teacher. Among his well known works are "Piano Concerto in A minor," "Arabesque in C Major Op. 18," "Child Falling Asleep" and "The Happy Peasant."Symphony No. 1, B-flat Major, Opus 38, "Spring" Symphony No. 2, C Major Symphony No. 3, E-flat Major, pus 97, "Rhenish" Symphony No. 4, D minor, Opus 120
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12. Jean Sibelius
Public Domain Portrait from Wikimedia Commons
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer, conductor and teacher especially known for his orchestral works and symphonies. He composed "Finlandia" in 1899; it is a very powerful composition that made Sibelius a national figure. Sibelius composed symphonies, orchestral pieces, chamber, choral and incidental music, an opera and piano pieces.Symphony No. 1, E minor, Op. 39 Symphony 2, D Major, Op. 43 Symphony 3, C Major, Op. 52 Symphony 4, A minor, Op. 63 Symphony 5, E-flat Major, Op. 82 Symphony 6, D minor, Op. 104 Symphony 7, C Major, Op. 105
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13. Igor Stravinsky
Photo from the Library of Congress
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky was a Russian composer of the 20th century who introduced the concept of modernism in music. His father, who was one of the foremost Russian operatic basses, was one of Stravinsky's music influence. Some of his famous works are "Serenade in A for piano," "Violin Concerto in D Major," "Concerto in E-flat" and "Oedipus Rex."Symphony in C
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14. Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Public Domain Image from Wikimedia Commons
Considered the greatest Russian composer of his time, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky showed interest in music early in his life. Later on he would become a student of Anton Rubinstein. Among his most famous works are his musical scores for ballet such as "Swan Lake," "The Nutcracker" and "Sleeping Beauty."Symphony No. 2, C minor, Opus 17, "Little Russian" Symphony No. 4, F minor, Opus 36 Symphony No. 5, E minor, Opus 64 Symphony No. 6, B minor, Opus 74, "Pathétique"
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