Famous
Composers
Prepared by: ALEX H. MAQUIÑANA
Lesson Goals
• explains the performance practice (setting,
composition, role of composers/performers, and
audience) during Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque
periods; MU9MRB-Ia-h-2
• Identify famous composers and their works in the
different periods of music;
ADAM DE LA HALLE
Also known as Adam Le Bossu or Adam the
Hunchback.
A French poet, musician, composer, and a trouvère
born 1250 in Arras, France. Studied at Cistercian
Abbey of Vaucelles-for priesthood. He became a
servant of King of France-Charles I and start his
fortunes. He was a self-proclaimed genius, describing
himself as “master.” He mastered his expertise in
monophonic composition and its more complex form –
The MOTET. Before Famous Works:
he died in 1288 in Napoles, Italy,
Le Jeu
he was able to compose de Robin
36 chansons et Trouvere
in the de
Marion
tradition and 17 Jeux pairs (a stanzaic dialog between
two poets). His themes revolved around concepts of
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
(1525 – 1594) Italian composer of the
Renaissance and a famous representative of
the Roman school of musical composition.
He has a vast influence on the development
of Roman Catholic Church music. Before he
achieved his goals, he was an organist and a
choirmaster. He performed both at the
Sistine and the St. Peter chapels.
He left hundreds of compositions including
104 masses, 68 offertories, 300 motets, 72
Thomas Morley
Famous composer of Secular Music was Born
1557, Norwich, United Kingdom and died
October 1602, London, United Kingdom. He
was an English composer, theorist, singer
and organist of the Renaissance. He was one
of the foremost members of the English
Madrigal School. With Robert
Famous Johnson, they
Works:
were the only composers who
Now Is the survived
Month Of Maying
contemporary setting inFire,
Fire, theMyverse
Heartof
Shakespeare. Sing and Chant
George Friedrich Handel
Born in Halle, Germany, February 23,1685
and died in London, April 14,1750. He was a
German, later British, Baroque composer
who spent the bulk of his career in London,
becoming well known for his Operas,
Oratorios, Anthems, Concerti Grossi and
Organ Concertos. The Messiah is Hӓndel’s
most famous creation and the very well
known ―Hallelujah chorus is part of
Hӓndel’s Messiah. Became the music
director of then-newly founded Royal
Johann Sebastian Bach
(March 21, 1685 in Eisenach - July 28,1750 in Leipzig)
Bach came from a family of musicians. He was taught
to play violin by his father who was then the town
musician in Eisenach. He entered school at age 7
where he was taught religion and other subjects. He
became orphaned at age ten. His brother, a church
organist provided for him. Bach’s beautiful soprano
singing voice helped him to be accepted at a school in
Luӥeberg. A few years later, his voice changed, and
Bach focused his attention to playing the violin and
He wrote the Christmas
harpsichord.
Oratorio highlighting Christ’s
Bach was a religious man, and deep faith is shown in
crucifixion.
his sacred music. He was known for his compositions
Antonio Vivaldi
Venice, March 4, 1678, to Vienna, July 28, 1741
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi "The Red Priest" because of
his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer,
Catholic priest and a virtuoso violinist. Recognized
as one of the greatest Baroque composers, his
influence during his lifetime was widespread over
Europe. His most famous piece is The
Four Seasons. This
Vivaldi is known mainly for composing
composition
instrumental concertos, especially for the is aviolin,
as well as sacred choral works series of four forty
and over violin concerti
depicting each of the seasons,
operas. He entered the priesthood and was
“Spring”, “Summer”,
ordained in 1703. Vivaldi is well“Autumn”
knownand for“Winter”
giving
the strings a major role in his compositions.
