Famous 17th Century Composers

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 1 
Johann Sebastian Bach
(One of the Greatest Composers of All Time)
Johann Sebastian Bach
9
Birthdate: March 31, 1685
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Eisenach, Germany
Died: July 28, 1750

Johann Sebastian Bach was an 18-th century German composer of the Baroque period. He redefined both church and secular music. He served as the court musician of Duke Johann Ernst and King Augustus III. He created more than 300 cantatas and vocal music such as Mass in B minor.

 2 
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi
(Baroque Composer & Virtuoso Violinist Known for His Violin Concertos 'The Four Seasons')
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi
4
Birthdate: March 4, 1678
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Venice, Italy
Died: July 28, 1741

Italian Baroque composer, virtuoso violinist, and teacher, Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, is regarded as one of the greatest Baroque composers. He was extremely popular during his lifetime and composed many instrumental concertos and operas. He was also a Roman Catholic priest and worked at a home for abandoned children. Even though he died in 1741, his music continues to be popular.

 3 
Claudio Monteverdi
(Composer, String player and Choirmaster Who Was a Pioneer in the Development of Opera)
Claudio Monteverdi
5
Birthdate: May 9, 1567
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cremona, Italy
Died: November 29, 1643

Claudio Monteverdi was an Italian string player, composer, choirmaster, and priest. His pioneering work in the development of opera and his letters, which gives an insight into the life of Italian musicians from the era, makes him a significant historical figure. He is also considered an important transitional figure between the two important periods of music history, Renaissance and Baroque. 

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 4 
Henry Purcell
(Composer)
Henry Purcell
4
Birthdate: September 10, 1659
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Westminster
Died: November 21, 1695
 5 
Johann Pachelbel
(One of the Most Influential Composers and Organists of the Middle Baroque Era)
Johann Pachelbel
5
Birthdate: 1653 AD
Birthplace: Nuremberg, Germany
Died: March 7, 1706

Johann Pachelbel was a German composer, teacher, and organist who is credited with helping the south German organ schools achieve their peak. His contributions to the progression of the fugue and chorale prelude have established him as one of the most prominent composers of the middle Baroque era. During his lifetime, his music became a model for several German composers.

 6 
William Byrd
(Music composer)
William Byrd
3
Birthdate: 1543 AD
Birthplace: Lincoln, England
Died: July 4, 1623
 7 
Jean-Baptiste Lully
(French Composer, Instrumentalist, and Dancer)
Jean-Baptiste Lully
3
Birthdate: November 28, 1632
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Florence, Italy
Died: March 22, 1687

Born to Italian parents, Jean-Baptiste Lully grew up to be a legendary composer who ruled the French courts. He started his journey as a violinist in Louis XIV’s band and later came to be known for his tragic operas. He had also apparently invented the French overture.

 8 
Georg Philipp Telemann
(Composer)
Georg Philipp Telemann
4
Birthdate: March 14, 1681
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Magdeburg, Germany
Died: June 25, 1767
 9 
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
(King of Hungary)
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
3
Birthdate: July 13, 1608
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Graz, Austria
Died: April 2, 1657

Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III is largely held responsible for ending the Thirty Years’ War in 1648 with 2 peace treaties known as the Peace of Westphalia. He also conspired against Generalissimo Albrecht von Wallenstein when he was denied control of the imperial army. He was also instrumental in the Peace of Prague.

 10 
Arcangelo Corelli
(Italian Violinist and Composer of Baroque Era Known for His Sonata and Concerto Compositions)
Arcangelo Corelli
3
Birthdate: February 17, 1653
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Fusignano, Italy
Died: January 8, 1713

Italian composer and violinist Arcangelo Corelli is regarded as a pioneer of the concerto grosso and the sonata. Named after his father who died 5 months before his birth, Corelli rose to be a major figure of Baroque music and became a favorite of priests and the royalty.

 11 
Tomaso Albinoni
(Composer)
Tomaso Albinoni
4
Birthdate: June 8, 1671
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Venice, Italy
Died: January 17, 1751
 12 
François Couperin
(Former Composer who was known as Couperin le Grand ()
François Couperin
3
Birthdate: November 10, 1668
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: September 11, 1733
 13 
Heinrich Schütz
(German Early Baroque Composer and Organist)
Heinrich Schütz
2
Birthdate: October 18, 1585
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bad Köstritz, Germany
Died: November 6, 1672
German composer and organist Heinrich Schütz was one of the first to bring the Italian style of music to Germany. While he had initially studied law, he later began his musical career in Venice. He is remembered for his works such as Symphoniae sacrae and the first German opera, Dafne.
 14 
Marc-Antoine Charpentier
(Composer)
Marc-Antoine Charpentier
2
Birthdate: 1643 AD
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: February 24, 1704
 15 
Carlo Gesualdo
(Composer)
Carlo Gesualdo
3
Birthdate: March 8, 1566
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Venosa, Italy
Died: September 8, 1613
 16 
Johann Joseph Fux
(Composer)
Johann Joseph Fux
2
Birthdate: 1660 AD
Birthplace: Langegg bei Graz, Austria
Died: February 13, 1741
 17 
Alessandro Scarlatti
(Former Baroque composer, known especially for his operas and chamber cantatas)
Alessandro Scarlatti
4
Birthdate: May 2, 1660
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Palermo, Italy
Died: October 22, 1725
 18 
Gregorio Allegri
(A Roman Catholic Priest and a Celebrated Composer)
Gregorio Allegri
2
Birthdate: 1582 AD
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
Died: February 17, 1652

Apart from being a Catholic priest, Gregorio Allegri was also a talented composer. He was associated with the Vatican’s Papal Choir throughout his life. One of his most-loved compositions, Miserere mei, Deus, is said to have inspired a teenaged Mozart to create his own version of the track.

 19 
Dieterich Buxtehude
(Organist and Church Music Composer of the Baroque period)
Dieterich Buxtehude
0
Birthdate: 1637 AD
Birthplace: Helsingborg, Sweden
Died: May 9, 1707

While some scholars believe Dieterich Buxtehude was born in Denmark, others claim he was from Germany. The composer and organist was a significant figure of the Baroque period and had Johann Sebastian Bach as his student. As a church musician, he also composed for family events and festivals.

 20 
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber
(One of the Best Violin Composers of the 17th Century)
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber
2
Birthdate: August 12, 1644
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Stráž pod Ralskem, Czechia
Died: May 3, 1704

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber was a Bohemian-Austrian violinist and composer. He is widely regarded as one of the best violin composers of the 17th century. Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber wrote operas, music for chamber ensemble, and sacred music. Today, his compositions are widely performed and recorded.

 21 
Barbara Strozzi
(Composer and singer of the Baroque Period)
Barbara Strozzi
2
Birthdate: August 6, 1619
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Venice, Italy
Died: November 11, 1677
 22 
Marin Marais
(Composer)
Marin Marais
2
Birthdate: May 31, 1656
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: August 15, 1728
 23 
Turlough O'Carolan
(Composer)
Turlough O'Carolan
2
Birthdate: 1670 AD
Birthplace: Nobber, Ireland
Died: March 25, 1738
 24 
Girolamo Frescobaldi
(Musician)
Girolamo Frescobaldi
2
Birthdate: September 13, 1583
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ferrara, Italy
Died: March 1, 1643
 25 
Jan Dismas Zelenka
(Composer & Musician of the Baroque Period Known for His Extensive Composition 'Sub olea pacis et palma virtutis')
Jan Dismas Zelenka
2
Birthdate: October 16, 1679
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Louňovice pod Blaníkem, Bohemia, Holy Roman Empire
Died: December 23, 1745

Composer-musician Jan Dismas Zelenka of Baroque period was known for his compositions that are characterized by adventurous compositional structure with an energetic harmonic invention and complex counterpoint. He achieved the feat of composing Sub olea pacis et palma virtutis for coronation of Charles VI as King of Bohemia and conducting it performance before the King shortly after the latter’s coronation.

 26 
Jacopo Peri
(Composer)
Jacopo Peri
2
Birthdate: August 20, 1561
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
Died: August 12, 1633
 27 
Thomas Campion
(Famous for Writing Over a Hundred Lute Songs, Masques for Dancing)
Thomas Campion
2
Birthdate: February 12, 1567
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: London, England
Died: March 1, 1620
 28 
John Bull
(Composer)
John Bull
2
Birthdate: 1562 AD
Birthplace: Wellow, England
Died: March 12, 1628
 29 
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
(Dutch Composer and Pedagogue Famous for His Brilliant Improvisations at the Organ and Harpsichord)
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
2
Birthdate: 1562
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Deventer, Netherlands
Died: October 16, 1621

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck was a Dutch composer, music educator, music organizer, harpsichordist, organist, and ensemble leader. He played a major role during the transition to Baroque music from Renaissance and is often regarded as the most prominent Dutch composer of the Early Modern Period. His music was not only popular in the Netherlands but also spread across Europe.

 30 
Francesco Cavalli
(Italian Composer, Organist and Singer Known for His Operas: ‘Ormindo’, ‘Giasone’ and ‘la Calisto’)
Francesco Cavalli
2
Birthdate: February 14, 1602
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Crema, Italy
Died: January 14, 1676

Seventeenth-century Italian composer Francesco Cavalli had taken up the surname of his Venetian patron Federico Cavalli. He was initially a soprano at the St. Mark's Basilica. While he mainly composed for operas, he also developed the early recitative-aria technique. Two of his most notable works were Erismena and L’Ormindo.

 31 
Francesca Caccini
(Italian Composer, Lutenist and Singer of the Early Baroque Era)
Francesca Caccini
1
Birthdate: September 18, 1587
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Florence, Italy
Died: 1641 AD

Francesca Caccini was an Italian composer, poet, lutenist, singer, and music teacher. She is best remembered for La liberazione di Ruggiero, her only surviving stage work, which is regarded as the oldest opera composed by a woman. Although little of her music has survived the test of time, Francesca Caccini was known to be a prolific composer.

 32 
Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre
(French Musician, Harpsichordist and Was the First Woman to Compose an Opera in France)
Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre
2
Birthdate: March 17, 1665
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: June 27, 1729

Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet De La Guerre was a French musician, harpsichordist, and composer. Born into a family of musicians and master instrument-makers, she received her initial musical training from her father. She worked as a musician in the court of Louis XIV, the Sun King. Following her marriage to organist Marin de La Guerre, she taught and composed music. 

 33 
Benedetto Marcello
(Former composer and writer, especially remembered for two works: the satirical pamphlet Il teatro alla moda (1720); and Estro poeticoarmonico (1724–26))
Benedetto Marcello
2
Birthdate: July 24, 1686
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Venice, Italy
Died: July 24, 1739
 34 
Pietro Locatelli
(Musician)
Pietro Locatelli
2
Birthdate: September 3, 1695
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Bergamo, Italy
Died: March 30, 1764
 35 
Leonardo Vinci
(Composer)
Leonardo Vinci
2
Birthdate: 1690 AD
Birthplace: Strongoli, Italy
Died: May 27, 1730
 36 
Jeremiah Clarke
(Composer)
Jeremiah Clarke
2
Birthdate: 1674 AD
Birthplace: London, England
Died: December 1, 1707
 37 
Johann Adolph Hasse
(Composer)
Johann Adolph Hasse
2
Birthdate: March 25, 1699
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Bergedorf, Hamburg, Germany
Died: December 16, 1783
 38 
Christian Petzold
(Composer)
Christian Petzold
2
Birthdate: 1677 AD
Birthplace: Königstein, Germany
Died: May 25, 1733
 39 
Alessandro Marcello
(Composer)
Alessandro Marcello
1
Birthdate: February 1, 1673
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Venice, Italy
Died: June 19, 1747
 40 
Antonio Caldara
(Composer)
Antonio Caldara
2
Birthdate: 1670 AD
Birthplace: Venice, Italy
Died: December 28, 1736
 41 
Michelagnolo Galilei
(Composer)
Michelagnolo Galilei
1
Birthdate: December 18, 1575
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Florence, Italy
Died: January 3, 1631
 42 
Tomaso Antonio Vitali
(Composer)
Tomaso Antonio Vitali
1
Birthdate: March 7, 1663
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Bologna, Italy
Died: May 9, 1745
 43 
Giacomo Carissimi
(Composer)
Giacomo Carissimi
1
Birthdate: April 18, 1605
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Marino, Italy
Died: January 12, 1674
 44 
Francesco Geminiani
(Violinist)
Francesco Geminiani
1
Birthdate: December 5, 1687
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Lucca, Italy
Died: September 17, 1762
 45 
Alessandro Stradella
(Composer)
Alessandro Stradella
1
Birthdate: July 3, 1643
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
Died: February 25, 1682
 46 
Johann Jakob Froberger
(One of the Most Famous and Influential Composers of the Early Baroque Era)
Johann Jakob Froberger
1
Birthdate: May 19, 1616
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Stuttgart, Germany
Died: May 7, 1667

Johann Jakob Froberger was a German keyboard virtuoso, composer, and organist. Widely regarded as one of the most popular composers of his generation, Froberger played a key role in the development of the musical form of a suite in his keyboard works. His compositions were studied by several other composers like Dieterich Buxtehude, Johann Pachelbel, and Johann Sebastian Bach.

 47 
Gaspar Sanz
(Composer, Guitarist)
Gaspar Sanz
1
Birthdate: April 4, 1640
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Calanda, Bajo Aragón, Spain
Died: 1710 AD

Initially a theologian, Gaspar Sanz later went to Italy to study music and later also focused on literature. Best remembered for his works such as Instruccion de musica sobre la guitarra Espanola, he also developed the use of the classical guitar. He had also been an organist to the viceroy of Napoles.

 48 
Thomas Weelkes
(Organist, Composer)
Thomas Weelkes
1
Birthdate: October 25, 1576
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Sussex, England
Died: November 30, 1623
 49 
John Blow
(Composer)
John Blow
1
Birthdate: February 23, 1649
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Nottinghamshire, England
Died: October 1, 1708
 50 
Maurice, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel
(Noblemen)
Maurice, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel
1
Birthdate: May 25, 1572
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kassel, Germany
Died: March 15, 1632