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  1. soclassiq
  2. The great classical music performers
  3. Europe

The great classical music performers Europe

 

Szeryng or Mercedes? Kissin or Michelangeli? It is difficult for inquiring minds to tackle a field as large and diverse as classical music, covering 10 centuries of history: there are uncountable numbers of classical music performers in the world. Making a selection of musicians, such as a “top 10” for example, is a difficult and subjective exercise. A musical selection is often the expression of personal preferences or artistic opinions, very interesting but also very different according to critics or musicologists, or simply influenced by the context: will an English performer/musician not be instinctively privileged by an English critic?

For example: in Canada, Marc-André Hamelin, a Quebec pianist and composer, is at least as popular as the German violinist Anne-Sofie Mutter, who is more internationally renowned.

Performers / Musicians

1880-2020, Europe


a. Timeline

b. Top 10, the most famous

c. Some others also well-known


The information presented below (timeline, top 10, alphabetical index) is absolutely neutral. They are the result of a strictly quantitative analysis, based only on global and independent sources. They were treated without favouring any particular musician or excluding any artist deemed less relevant by elitism, conformism or for any other reason.

Timeline of classical musicians in Europe

Whoever wants to discover classical music does not always have an experienced music lover, an expert or an educator at his or her side to support and guide him or her in this field. So : Szeryng (Polish-Mexican violinist) or Mercedes (American-born Greek operatic soprano) ? Jansen (Dutch violinist and violist) or Oistrakh (Soviet violinist) ? However, the knowledge available about musicians is enormous. It was processed to select the 10, 25, 50... most popular performers around the world, for those living or having lived en Europe, . And this objectively, and for the first time (soclassiq exclusivity).

Performers rendered as a timeline to bring a little perspective:

18701870188018801890189019001900191019101920192019301930194019401950195019601960197019701980198019901990200020002010201020202020

.

<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>BorodinA. Borodin 18331887<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">D. </span>OistrakhD. Oistrakh 19081974
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">C. </span>SchumannC. Schumann 18191896<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">B. </span>BrittenB. Britten 19131976
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">C. </span>DebussyC. Debussy 18621918<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">H. </span>ZimmerH. Zimmer 1957
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">JS. </span>IIJS. II 18251899<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">P. </span>BoulezP. Boulez 19252016
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">E. </span>SatieE. Satie 18661925<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">D. </span>BarenboimD. Barenboim 1942
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">G. </span>VerdiG. Verdi 18131901<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">K. </span>PendereckiK. Penderecki 19332020
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">M. </span>BalakirevM. Balakirev 18371910<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">H. </span>GoreckiH. Gorecki 19332010
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>BrucknerA. Bruckner 18241896<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">S. </span>RichterS. Richter 19151997
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">R. </span>WagnerR. Wagner 18131883<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">V. </span>HorowitzV. Horowitz 19031989
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">R. </span>StraussR. Strauss 18641949<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">V. </span>Vanessa-MaeV. Vanessa-Mae 1978
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">J. </span>OffenbachJ. Offenbach 18191880<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">TW. </span>AdornoTW. Adorno 19031969<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">K. </span>BuniatishviliK. Buniatishvili 1987
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>DvořákA. Dvořák 18411904<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">M. </span>RostropovichM. Rostropovich 19272007
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">B. </span>BartókB. Bartók 18811945<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">J. </span>JansenJ. Jansen 1978
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">F. </span>LisztF. Liszt 18111886<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">D. </span>ShostakovichD. Shostakovich 19061975
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">I. </span>StravinskyI. Stravinsky 18821971L. Belkina 1987
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>RubinsteinA. Rubinstein 18871982
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">G. </span>PucciniG. Puccini 18581924<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">J. </span>PréJ. Pré 19451987
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">J. </span>BrahmsJ. Brahms 18331897<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">E. </span>MorriconeE. Morricone 19282020
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">G. </span>FauréG. Fauré 18451924<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>RieuA. Rieu 1949
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">S. </span>RachmaninoffS. Rachmaninoff 18731943<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">E. </span>KissinE. Kissin 1971
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">G. </span>MahlerG. Mahler 18601911<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>PärtA. Pärt 1935
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>ScriabinA. Scriabin 18721915<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">C. </span>AbbadoC. Abbado 19332014
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">M. </span>RavelM. Ravel 18751937<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">AS. </span>MutterAS. Mutter 1963
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">E. </span>GriegE. Grieg 18431907<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>BocelliA. Bocelli 1958
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">I. </span>AlbénizI. Albéniz 18601909<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">V. </span>AshkenazyV. Ashkenazy 1937
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">B. </span>SmetanaB. Smetana 18241884<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>KhachaturianA. Khachaturian 19031978
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">PI. </span>TchaikovskyPI. Tchaikovsky 18401893<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">MCDL. </span>MercedesMCDL. Mercedes 19231977
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">S. </span>ProkofievS. Prokofiev 18911953<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">A. </span>GarifullinaA. Garifullina 1987
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">C. </span>GounodC. Gounod 18181893<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">W. </span>LutosławskiW. Lutosławski 19131994
<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">J. </span>SibeliusJ. Sibelius 18651957<span class="d-none d-md-inline-block text-muted mr-1">V. </span>LisitsaV. Lisitsa 1973
Charles Darwin
LP record
Emile Berliner
Wright brothers
World War I
Timeline :

ComposersConductorsLyrical singersPerformersTReduce to performers only WorldwideEuropeNorth AmericaSouth AmericaAsiaOceaniaAfrica 2021

This timeline is interactive to navigate through the ages or across continents (with ).

Why are all these composers included in this timeline?

Many composers have also been concert performers or conductors, although their fame is associated with their work today. On the other hand, some conductors such as Arturo Toscanini, Georg Solti ... or musicians such as Martha Argerich, Vladimir Horowitz, Glenn Gould ... have also composed. Itzhak Perlman, David Oïstrakh... very well known as concert performers, have also conducted orchestras. Others, such as Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, William Christie ..., are renowned as much for their careers as composers, conductors and performers.

Top 10 classical musicians in Europe

Who are these greatest performers, the most famous over the 1880-2020 era in Europe? The carreer of these musician has marked the history of classical music. There are those you probably know, or at least by name and the others.

Here are these 10 performers, renowned artists from around the world:

10

  • Barenboim Barenboim D.
  • Heifetz Heifetz J.
  • Kissin Kissin E.
  • Lisitsa Lisitsa V.
  • Mercedes Mercedes MCDL.
  • Mutter Mutter AS.
  • Oistrakh Oistrakh D.
  • Pré Pré J.
  • Rubinstein Rubinstein A.
  • Szeryng Szeryng H.

The musicians and artists who also composed were removed from this ranking.

The selections of musicians (performers) proposed by soclassiq are based exclusively on algorithms. The same applies to the composers, their works, the lyrical singers, les orchestras, the conductors and the venues : opera houses, concert halls or festivals.

What about the others? 25, 50 or more?

Summarizing to 10 musician names such a wide and diverse field may seem extreme or too simplistic for those who know classical music well, for those who can easily name 50 or more classical music performers. Belkina, Buniatishvili, Barenboim, Gilels, Kremer, Cortot, Maisky...

At this time, soclassiq has listed more than 11000 performers. So here is a selection of some performers for the years 1880-2020, in Europe, widely recognized around the world:

Note:

  • This selection may include highly reputed artists and musicians who have occasionally devoted themselves to classical music and not exclusively.
  • It may also include performers who have been or are composers, some more renowned for the work they have left than for their careers as musicians.

A

Claudio <strong>Abbado</strong> Claudio AbbadoThe great classical music performers
1933-2014 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Theodor W. <strong>Adorno</strong> Theodor W. AdornoThe great classical music performers
1903-1969 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Jehan <strong>Alain</strong> Jehan AlainThe great classical music performers
1911-1940 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Isaac <strong>Albéniz</strong> Isaac AlbénizThe great classical music performers
1860-1909 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Géza <strong>Anda</strong> Géza AndaThe great classical music performers
1921-1976 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Anton <strong>Arensky</strong> Anton ArenskyThe great classical music performers
1861-1906 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Vladimir <strong>Ashkenazy</strong> Vladimir AshkenazyThe great classical music performers
age 83 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Leopold von <strong>Auer</strong> Leopold von AuerThe great classical music performers
1845-1930 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer


B

Mily <strong>Balakirev</strong> Mily BalakirevThe great classical music performers
1837-1910 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Daniel <strong>Barenboim</strong> Daniel BarenboimThe great classical music performers
age 78 (20th century)
Conductor & Performer

John <strong>Barry</strong> John BarryThe great classical music performers
1933-2011 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Béla <strong>Bartók</strong> Béla BartókThe great classical music performers
1881-1945 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Yury <strong>Bashmet</strong> Yury BashmetThe great classical music performers
age 68 (20th century)
Conductor & Performer

Lena BelkinaThe great classical music performers
age 33 (20th century)
Lyrical singer & Performer

Alban <strong>Berg</strong> Alban BergThe great classical music performers
1885-1935 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Luciano <strong>Berio</strong> Luciano BerioThe great classical music performers
1925-2003 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

İdil <strong>Biret</strong> İdil BiretThe great classical music performers
age 79 (20th century)
Performer

Andrea <strong>Bocelli</strong> Andrea BocelliThe great classical music performers
age 62 (20th century)
Composer, Lyrical singer & Performer

Alexander <strong>Borodin</strong> Alexander BorodinThe great classical music performers
1833-1887 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Nadia <strong>Boulanger</strong> Nadia BoulangerThe great classical music performers
1887-1979 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Pierre <strong>Boulez</strong> Pierre BoulezThe great classical music performers
1925-2016 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Johannes <strong>Brahms</strong> Johannes BrahmsThe great classical music performers
1833-1897 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Benjamin <strong>Britten</strong> Benjamin BrittenThe great classical music performers
1913-1976 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Anton <strong>Bruckner</strong> Anton BrucknerThe great classical music performers
1824-1896 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Ole <strong>Bull</strong> Ole BullThe great classical music performers
1810-1880 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Hans von <strong>Bülow</strong> Hans von BülowThe great classical music performers
1830-1894 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Khatia <strong>Buniatishvili</strong> Khatia BuniatishviliThe great classical music performers
age 33 (20th century)
Performer

Ferruccio <strong>Busoni</strong> Ferruccio BusoniThe great classical music performers
1866-1924 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer


C

Pau <strong>Casals</strong> Pau CasalsThe great classical music performers
1876-1973 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Alfredo <strong>Casella</strong> Alfredo CasellaThe great classical music performers
1883-1947 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Emmanuel <strong>Chabrier</strong> Emmanuel ChabrierThe great classical music performers
1841-1894 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Ernest <strong>Chausson</strong> Ernest ChaussonThe great classical music performers
1855-1899 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Francesco <strong>Cilea</strong> Francesco CileaThe great classical music performers
1866-1950 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Alfred <strong>Cortot</strong> Alfred CortotThe great classical music performers
1877-1962 (20th century)
Conductor & Performer

György <strong>Cziffra</strong> György CziffraThe great classical music performers
1921-1994 (20th century)
Composer & Performer


D

Eugen d'<strong>d'Albert</strong> Eugen d'd'AlbertThe great classical music performers
1864-1932 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Luigi <strong>Dallapiccola</strong> Luigi DallapiccolaThe great classical music performers
1904-1975 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Peter Maxwell <strong>Davies</strong> Peter Maxwell DaviesThe great classical music performers
1934-2016 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Claude <strong>Debussy</strong> Claude DebussyThe great classical music performers
1862-1918 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Léo <strong>Delibes</strong> Léo DelibesThe great classical music performers
1836-1891 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Frederick <strong>Delius</strong> Frederick DeliusThe great classical music performers
1862-1934 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Ernő von <strong>Dohnányi</strong> Ernő von DohnányiThe great classical music performers
1877-1960 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Paul <strong>Dukas</strong> Paul DukasThe great classical music performers
1865-1935 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Marcel <strong>Dupré</strong> Marcel DupréThe great classical music performers
1886-1971 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Antonín <strong>Dvořák</strong> Antonín DvořákThe great classical music performers
1841-1904 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works


E

George <strong>Enescu</strong> George EnescuThe great classical music performers
1881-1955 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer


F

Manuel de <strong>Falla</strong> Manuel de FallaThe great classical music performers
1876-1946 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Gabriel <strong>Fauré</strong> Gabriel FauréThe great classical music performers
1845-1924 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Julia <strong>Fischer</strong> Julia FischerThe great classical music performers
age 37 (20th century)
Performer

César <strong>Franck</strong> César FranckThe great classical music performers
1822-1890 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Wilhelm <strong>Furtwängler</strong> Wilhelm FurtwänglerThe great classical music performers
1886-1954 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer


G

Niels <strong>Gade</strong> Niels GadeThe great classical music performers
1817-1890 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

John Eliot <strong>Gardiner</strong> John Eliot GardinerThe great classical music performers
age 77 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Aida <strong>Garifullina</strong> Aida GarifullinaThe great classical music performers
age 33 (20th century)
Lyrical singer & Performer

Emil <strong>Gilels</strong> Emil GilelsThe great classical music performers
1916-1985 (20th century)
Performer

Alexander <strong>Glazunov</strong> Alexander GlazunovThe great classical music performers
1865-1936 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Henryk <strong>Gorecki</strong> Henryk GoreckiThe great classical music performers
1933-2010 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Charles <strong>Gounod</strong> Charles GounodThe great classical music performers
1818-1893 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Enrique <strong>Granados</strong> Enrique GranadosThe great classical music performers
1867-1916 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Edvard <strong>Grieg</strong> Edvard GriegThe great classical music performers
1843-1907 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Sofia <strong>Gubaidulina</strong> Sofia GubaidulinaThe great classical music performers
age 89 (20th century)
Composer & Performer


H

Ida <strong>Haendel</strong> Ida HaendelThe great classical music performers
1928-2020 (20th century)
Performer

Bernard <strong>Haitink</strong> Bernard HaitinkThe great classical music performers
age 91 (20th century)
Conductor & Performer

Nikolaus <strong>Harnoncourt</strong> Nikolaus HarnoncourtThe great classical music performers
1929-2016 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Clara <strong>Haskil</strong> Clara HaskilThe great classical music performers
1895-1960 (20th century)
Performer

Jascha <strong>Heifetz</strong> Jascha HeifetzThe great classical music performers
1901-1987 (20th century)
Performer

Paul <strong>Hindemith</strong> Paul HindemithThe great classical music performers
1895-1963 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Gustav <strong>Holst</strong> Gustav HolstThe great classical music performers
1874-1934 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Vladimir <strong>Horowitz</strong> Vladimir HorowitzThe great classical music performers
1903-1989 (20th century)
Composer & Performer


I

Jacques <strong>Ibert</strong> Jacques IbertThe great classical music performers
1890-1962 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Johann Strauss <strong>II</strong> Johann Strauss IIThe great classical music performers
1825-1899 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works


J

Leoš <strong>Janáček</strong> Leoš JanáčekThe great classical music performers
1854-1928 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Janine <strong>Jansen</strong> Janine JansenThe great classical music performers
age 43 (20th century)
Performer

Philippe <strong>Jaroussky</strong> Philippe JarousskyThe great classical music performers
age 42 (20th century)
Lyrical singer & Performer

Joseph <strong>Joachim</strong> Joseph JoachimThe great classical music performers
1831-1907 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer


K

Dmitri <strong>Kabalevsky</strong> Dmitri KabalevskyThe great classical music performers
1904-1986 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Aram <strong>Khachaturian</strong> Aram KhachaturianThe great classical music performers
1903-1978 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Wojciech <strong>Kilar</strong> Wojciech KilarThe great classical music performers
1932-2013 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Evgeny <strong>Kissin</strong> Evgeny KissinThe great classical music performers
age 49 (20th century)
Performer

Zoltán <strong>Kodály</strong> Zoltán KodályThe great classical music performers
1882-1967 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Leonid <strong>Kogan</strong> Leonid KoganThe great classical music performers
1924-1982 (20th century)
Performer

Erich Wolfgang <strong>Korngold</strong> Erich Wolfgang KorngoldThe great classical music performers
1897-1957 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Fritz <strong>Kreisler</strong> Fritz KreislerThe great classical music performers
1875-1962 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Gidon <strong>Kremer</strong> Gidon KremerThe great classical music performers
age 73 (20th century)
Conductor & Performer


L

Wanda <strong>Landowska</strong> Wanda LandowskaThe great classical music performers
1879-1959 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Alicia de <strong>Larrocha</strong> Alicia de LarrochaThe great classical music performers
1923-2009 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Ruggero <strong>Leoncavallo</strong> Ruggero LeoncavalloThe great classical music performers
1857-1919 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Gustav <strong>Leonhardt</strong> Gustav LeonhardtThe great classical music performers
1928-2012 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

György <strong>Ligeti</strong> György LigetiThe great classical music performers
1923-2006 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Dinu <strong>Lipatti</strong> Dinu LipattiThe great classical music performers
1917-1950 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Valentina <strong>Lisitsa</strong> Valentina LisitsaThe great classical music performers
age 47 (20th century)
Performer

Franz <strong>Liszt</strong> Franz LisztThe great classical music performers
1811-1886 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Leonardo De de <strong>Lorenzo</strong> Leonardo De de LorenzoThe great classical music performers
1875-1962 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Victoria de <strong>los Ángeles</strong> Victoria de los ÁngelesThe great classical music performers
1923-2005 (20th century)
Lyrical singer & Performer

Paco de <strong>Lucía</strong> Paco de LucíaThe great classical music performers
1947-2014 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Witold <strong>Lutosławski</strong> Witold LutosławskiThe great classical music performers
1913-1994 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer


M

Yo-Yo <strong>Ma</strong> Yo-Yo MaThe great classical music performers
age 65 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Gustav <strong>Mahler</strong> Gustav MahlerThe great classical music performers
1860-1911 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Mischa <strong>Maisky</strong> Mischa MaiskyThe great classical music performers
age 73 (20th century)
Performer

Clint <strong>Mansell</strong> Clint MansellThe great classical music performers
age 58 (20th century)
Composer, Lyrical singer & Performer

... M

Neville <strong>Marriner</strong> Neville MarrinerThe great classical music performers
1924-2016 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Bohuslav <strong>Martinů</strong> Bohuslav MartinůThe great classical music performers
1890-1959 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Jules <strong>Massenet</strong> Jules MassenetThe great classical music performers
1842-1912 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Yehudi <strong>Menuhin</strong> Yehudi MenuhinThe great classical music performers
1916-1999 (20th century)
Conductor & Performer

Maria Callas De Las <strong>Mercedes</strong> Maria Callas De Las MercedesThe great classical music performers
1923-1977 (20th century)
Lyrical singer & Performer

Olivier <strong>Messiaen</strong> Olivier MessiaenThe great classical music performers
1908-1992 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Arturo Benedetti <strong>Michelangeli</strong> Arturo Benedetti MichelangeliThe great classical music performers
1920-1995 (20th century)
Performer

Darius <strong>Milhaud</strong> Darius MilhaudThe great classical music performers
1892-1974 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Nathan <strong>Milstein</strong> Nathan MilsteinThe great classical music performers
1902-1992 (20th century)
Performer

Dimitri <strong>Mitropoulos</strong> Dimitri MitropoulosThe great classical music performers
1896-1960 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Ennio <strong>Morricone</strong> Ennio MorriconeThe great classical music performers
1928-2020 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Moritz <strong>Moszkowski</strong> Moritz MoszkowskiThe great classical music performers
1854-1925 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Maksim <strong>Mrvica</strong> Maksim MrvicaThe great classical music performers
age 45 (20th century)
Performer

Modest Petrovich <strong>Mussorgsky</strong> Modest Petrovich MussorgskyThe great classical music performers
1839-1881 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Riccardo <strong>Muti</strong> Riccardo MutiThe great classical music performers
age 80 (20th century)
Conductor & Performer

Anne-Sophie <strong>Mutter</strong> Anne-Sophie MutterThe great classical music performers
age 57 (20th century)
Performer


N

Heinrich <strong>Neuhaus</strong> Heinrich NeuhausThe great classical music performers
1888-1964 (20th century)
Performer

Carl <strong>Nielsen</strong> Carl NielsenThe great classical music performers
1865-1931 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Arthur <strong>Nikisch</strong> Arthur NikischThe great classical music performers
1855-1922 (Romantic)
Conductor & Performer


O

Jacques <strong>Offenbach</strong> Jacques OffenbachThe great classical music performers
1819-1880 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

David <strong>Oistrakh</strong> David OistrakhThe great classical music performers
1908-1974 (20th century)
Conductor & Performer

Carl <strong>Orff</strong> Carl OrffThe great classical music performers
1895-1982 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works


P

Ignacy Jan <strong>Paderewski</strong> Ignacy Jan PaderewskiThe great classical music performers
1860-1941 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Arvo <strong>Pärt</strong> Arvo PärtThe great classical music performers
age 85 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Krzysztof <strong>Penderecki</strong> Krzysztof PendereckiThe great classical music performers
1933-2020 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Maria João <strong>Pires</strong> Maria João PiresThe great classical music performers
age 76 (20th century)
Performer

Maurizio <strong>Pollini</strong> Maurizio PolliniThe great classical music performers
age 79 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Amilcare <strong>Ponchielli</strong> Amilcare PonchielliThe great classical music performers
1834-1886 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Francis <strong>Poulenc</strong> Francis PoulencThe great classical music performers
1899-1963 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Jacqueline du <strong>Pré</strong> Jacqueline du PréThe great classical music performers
1945-1987 (20th century)
Performer

Zbigniew <strong>Preisner</strong> Zbigniew PreisnerThe great classical music performers
age 65 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Sergei <strong>Prokofiev</strong> Sergei ProkofievThe great classical music performers
1891-1953 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Giacomo <strong>Puccini</strong> Giacomo PucciniThe great classical music performers
1858-1924 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works


R

Sergei <strong>Rachmaninoff</strong> Sergei RachmaninoffThe great classical music performers
1873-1943 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Simon <strong>Rattle</strong> Simon RattleThe great classical music performers
age 66 (20th century)
Conductor & Performer

Maurice <strong>Ravel</strong> Maurice RavelThe great classical music performers
1875-1937 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Ivan <strong>Rebroff</strong> Ivan RebroffThe great classical music performers
1931-2008 (20th century)
Lyrical singer & Performer

Max <strong>Reger</strong> Max RegerThe great classical music performers
1873-1916 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Ottorino <strong>Respighi</strong> Ottorino RespighiThe great classical music performers
1879-1936 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Karl <strong>Richter</strong> Karl RichterThe great classical music performers
1926-1981 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Sviatoslav <strong>Richter</strong> Sviatoslav RichterThe great classical music performers
1915-1997 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

André <strong>Rieu</strong> André RieuThe great classical music performers
age 71 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Clara <strong>Rockmore</strong> Clara RockmoreThe great classical music performers
1911-1998 (20th century)
Performer

Joaquín <strong>Rodrigo</strong> Joaquín RodrigoThe great classical music performers
1901-1999 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Mstislav <strong>Rostropovich</strong> Mstislav RostropovichThe great classical music performers
1927-2007 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Nino <strong>Rota</strong> Nino RotaThe great classical music performers
1911-1979 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Miklós <strong>Rózsa</strong> Miklós RózsaThe great classical music performers
1907-1995 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Nikolai <strong>Rubinstein</strong> Nikolai RubinsteinThe great classical music performers
1835-1881 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Anton <strong>Rubinstein</strong> Anton RubinsteinThe great classical music performers
1829-1894 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Arthur <strong>Rubinstein</strong> Arthur RubinsteinThe great classical music performers
1887-1982 (20th century)
Performer


S

Camille <strong>Saint-Saëns</strong> Camille Saint-SaënsThe great classical music performers
1835-1921 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Pablo de <strong>Sarasate</strong> Pablo de SarasateThe great classical music performers
1844-1908 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Erik <strong>Satie</strong> Erik SatieThe great classical music performers
1866-1925 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Jordi <strong>Savall</strong> Jordi SavallThe great classical music performers
age 79 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Wolfgang <strong>Sawallisch</strong> Wolfgang SawallischThe great classical music performers
1923-2013 (20th century)
Conductor & Performer

Adolphe <strong>Sax</strong> Adolphe SaxThe great classical music performers
1814-1894 (Romantic)
Performer

András <strong>Schiff</strong> András SchiffThe great classical music performers
age 67 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Artur <strong>Schnabel</strong> Artur SchnabelThe great classical music performers
1882-1951 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Alfred <strong>Schnittke</strong> Alfred SchnittkeThe great classical music performers
1934-1998 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Arnold <strong>Schoenberg</strong> Arnold SchoenbergThe great classical music performers
1874-1951 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Clara <strong>Schumann</strong> Clara SchumannThe great classical music performers
1819-1896 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Alexander <strong>Scriabin</strong> Alexander ScriabinThe great classical music performers
1872-1915 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Rodion <strong>Shchedrin</strong> Rodion ShchedrinThe great classical music performers
age 88 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Dmitri <strong>Shostakovich</strong> Dmitri ShostakovichThe great classical music performers
1906-1975 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Jean <strong>Sibelius</strong> Jean SibeliusThe great classical music performers
1865-1957 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Bedřich <strong>Smetana</strong> Bedřich SmetanaThe great classical music performers
1824-1884 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Georg <strong>Solti</strong> Georg SoltiThe great classical music performers
1912-1997 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Karlheinz <strong>Stockhausen</strong> Karlheinz StockhausenThe great classical music performers
1928-2007 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Leopold <strong>Stokowski</strong> Leopold StokowskiThe great classical music performers
1882-1977 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Richard <strong>Strauss</strong> Richard StraussThe great classical music performers
1864-1949 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Igor <strong>Stravinsky</strong> Igor StravinskyThe great classical music performers
1882-1971 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Josef <strong>Suk</strong> Josef SukThe great classical music performers
1874-1935 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Arthur <strong>Sullivan</strong> Arthur SullivanThe great classical music performers
1842-1900 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Johan <strong>Svendsen</strong> Johan SvendsenThe great classical music performers
1840-1911 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Georgy <strong>Sviridov</strong> Georgy SviridovThe great classical music performers
1915-1998 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Henryk <strong>Szeryng</strong> Henryk SzeryngThe great classical music performers
1918-1988 (20th century)
Performer

Władysław <strong>Szpilman</strong> Władysław SzpilmanThe great classical music performers
1911-2000 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Karol <strong>Szymanowski</strong> Karol SzymanowskiThe great classical music performers
1882-1937 (20th century)
Composer & Performer


T

Francisco <strong>Tárrega</strong> Francisco TárregaThe great classical music performers
1852-1909 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Pyotr Ilyich <strong>Tchaikovsky</strong> Pyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyThe great classical music performers
1840-1893 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Andrés Segovia <strong>Torres</strong> Andrés Segovia TorresThe great classical music performers
1893-1987 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Arturo <strong>Toscanini</strong> Arturo ToscaniniThe great classical music performers
1867-1957 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer


U

Viktor <strong>Ullmann</strong> Viktor UllmannThe great classical music performers
1898-1944 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer


V

Vanessa <strong>Vanessa-Mae</strong> Vanessa Vanessa-MaeThe great classical music performers
age 42 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Giuseppe <strong>Verdi</strong> Giuseppe VerdiThe great classical music performers
1813-1901 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Pauline <strong>Viardot</strong> Pauline ViardotThe great classical music performers
1821-1910 (Romantic)
Composer, Lyrical singer & Performer

Louis <strong>Vierne</strong> Louis VierneThe great classical music performers
1870-1937 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

Henri <strong>Vieuxtemps</strong> Henri VieuxtempsThe great classical music performers
1820-1881 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer


W

Richard <strong>Wagner</strong> Richard WagnerThe great classical music performers
1813-1883 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works

Bruno <strong>Walter</strong> Bruno WalterThe great classical music performers
1876-1962 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

William <strong>Walton</strong> William WaltonThe great classical music performers
1902-1983 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Anton <strong>Webern</strong> Anton WebernThe great classical music performers
1883-1945 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Kurt <strong>Weill</strong> Kurt WeillThe great classical music performers
1900-1950 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Charles-Marie <strong>Widor</strong> Charles-Marie WidorThe great classical music performers
1844-1937 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Henryk <strong>Wieniawski</strong> Henryk WieniawskiThe great classical music performers
1835-1880 (Romantic)
Composer & Performer

Ralph Vaughan <strong>Williams</strong> Ralph Vaughan WilliamsThe great classical music performers
1872-1958 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer


X

Iannis <strong>Xenakis</strong> Iannis XenakisThe great classical music performers
1922-2001 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

MasterpiecesComplete works


Y

Eugène <strong>Ysaÿe</strong> Eugène YsaÿeThe great classical music performers
1858-1931 (Romantic)
Composer, Conductor & Performer


Z

Krystian <strong>Zimerman</strong> Krystian ZimermanThe great classical music performers
age 64 (20th century)
Composer, Conductor & Performer

Hans <strong>Zimmer</strong> Hans ZimmerThe great classical music performers
age 63 (20th century)
Composer & Performer

See also...

Timelines : Performers

  • The great classical music performers
    • Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
  • The great 20th-century performers [II.] (1950 - 2000)
    • Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
  • The great 20th-century performers [I.] (1900 - 1950)
    • Europe * North America * South America * Asia * Oceania * Africa
  • The great 19th-century performers (1850 - 1900)

Indexes

  • All performers : by instrument * by country
  • by alphabetical order : A * B * C * D * E * F * G * H * I * J * K * L * M * N * O * P * Q * R * S * T * U * V * W * X * Y * Z
  • Young artists (Performers)

Other timelines

  • Composers : 10 centuries of classical music
  • The great classical music conductors
  • The great lyrical singers

Commemorations 2021, 2022, ...

Last update : 2021-02-01

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