Baroque Composers

Though these Baroque composers were actually composing for the harpsichord or clavichord, their works survive today as part of classic piano literature. These composers created their works in the era from 1600 to 1750.

Baroque Period Composers:
Johann Sebastian Bach
George Frederic Handel
Allessandro and Domenico Scarlatti
Georg Philipp Telemann
Jean Philippe Rameau
Henry Purcell

J.S. Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750. German organist, considered to be one of the greatest and most prolific composers of all time. Bach was trained in music from childhood. Served as an organist in many German churches. After his first wife died, he married Anna Magdelena Wulken, for whom a number of pieces were written. He fathered 20 children in all, many of whom also became noted musicians. Bach perfected counterpoint and polyphony and wrote for many instruments, and brought the era of Baroque music to its end. He was better known as a virtuoso organist than composer during his lifetime. Some of his many, many works include his series of fugues, The Well-Tempered Clavier, The Brandenburg Concerto, The Two and Three Part Inventions, The St. John Passion, and the Mass in B minor.

George Frederic Handel

George Frederic Handel, 1685-1759. British composer and master Baroque composer, best known for his oratorio The Messiah. He was born in Germany, worked in Hamburg, then Italy, and then moved to England in 1712. wrote operas, and music for King George I. His anthem "Zadock, The Priest" has been used at all British coronations since George II. He wrote numerous organ and harpsichord pieces, plus concertos and cantatas.

Allessandro and Domenico Scarlatti

Allessandro Scarlatti, 1660-1725. Italian composer who wrote many operas, and perfected the three-part overture. He also wrote many cantatas, and church music.

(Giuseppe) Domenico Scarlatti, 1685-1757, was Allessandro's son. A virtuoso who composed more than 500 harpsichord sonatas, he is considered the founder of modern keyboard technique.

Georg Philipp Telemann

Georg Philipp Telemann, 1681-1767. German composer who was very prolific. He composed over 600 overtures, operas and other works in many musical forms. He was more popular than J.S. Bach in his day. Counterpoint is prevalent in his style.

Jean Philippe Rameau

Jean Philippe Rameau, 1683-1764. French Baroque composer who wrote about music theory, introducing the concept of chord inversion. He is known for his harpsichord and chamber works.

Henry Purcell

Henry Purcell, 1659-1695. English composer, considered Britain's finest. Was the organist at Westminster Cathedral. A master of counterpoint and lyrical melody, who created an English Baroque style. Wrote operas, instrumental works and church music.

Return from Baroque Composers to Classical Piano