Famous Classical Piano Composers and their Music for Beginners

The world of classical music is a whole treasure trove of exquisite compositions and pieces that have stood the test of time. Classical piano composers have captivated audiences across generations and their pieces continue to inspire musicians of all ages even today.

Although it can be an extremely enriching experience for beginners to master classical pieces, many may find it intimidating to learn these compositions. We have put together a list of the most famous classical piano composers and their music that even beginners can listen to and start learning.

10 Famous Classical Piano Composers and their Music for Beginners

Here is the list of famous piano composers with music for beginners:

1. Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach is a towering German figure of the Baroque era. Interestingly, although he is known around the world for his piano compositions today, he was not a pianist! During his time, he was well-known for his work on the organ and harpsichord. One of his most famous and influential works is ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’ which is a collection of preludes and fugues in various major and minor keys. The Prelude and Fugue No.1 in C Major, BWV 846 is from the first book of this work and holds a permanent place in historic classical music. 

Some of Johann Sebastian Bach’s pieces for beginners include Minuet in G Major, Prelude in C Major.

1. Friedrich Chopin

Friedrich Chopin is a well-known French Polish classical pianist and composer known for his short solo pieces that revolutionised the world of piano for generations to come. An extremely patriotic individual, Chopin was deeply moved by the issues facing his homeland. Chopin is well-known for his three Nocturnes, which he wrote in his early twenties. A romantic era composer, Chopin’s work is adored for its emotional intensity and poetic sensibility. He is known as one of the greatest tone poets in the world and his solo pieces are his most celebrated. 

Friedrich Chopin’s easiest compositions for beginners include Nocturne in E flat major, Opus 9, No.2, Waltz in A minor, and Prelude in E minor.

1. Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven is a name that resonates with everyone. And if you haven’t heard of Beethoven, you’ve definitely heard ‘Fur Elise’, arguably one of his most famous pieces. German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven has become one of the known faces of classical piano. Spanning the Classical and Baroque periods, Beethoven’s work almost paved a way for the romantic era, and left behind hundreds of renowned works for musicians at every level of their music journey.

His Moonlight Sonata and even Fur Elise are timeless classics that even beginners can master.

1. Erik Satie

The infamous French composer Erik Satie has had an incredible influence on music in France and around the world. A university drop out who eventually worked as a cafe pianist, Satie is known for his unconventional style of music and absurd composition titles. Despite this, he was an important personality even in his time and is called the father of ambient music today.

The best place to begin your classical piano journey with Satie is with his Trois Gymnopedies which are known for their relaxing compilations.

1. Antonio Vivaldi

Violinist, teacher, priest, and composer, Antonio Vivaldi is known for his late style of Baroque music. Having composed over five hundred concertos, his most well-known is the Four Seasons. In addition to this, he also produced many choral works and operas.

His Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter concertos from his Four Seasons is considered a good place for beginners to get started, with Spring being the easiest and most loved composition among the four.

1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Another name that the world can never forget is that of Mozart. Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote in almost every genre of music during his time and was widely recognised for his success in every one of his compositions. Mozart began composing his first pieces at only five years old. Not far behind Beethoven, Mozart composed well over six hundred pieces during his lifetime!

Mozart’s Turkish Rondo from his Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major is an interesting piece for beginners to get started with. 

1. Edvard Grieg

Edvard Grieg learnt to play the piano very young under his mother’s guidance and teaching. His inspiration came heavily from the young composer Rikard Nordraak which made him take up music and represent his country. Apart from his individual compositions, Grieg also took much interest in the traditional melodies and music of his Norwegian culture, which he then gradually incorporated into his own pieces. His Piano Concerto is widely known along with Peer Gynt.

Morning Mood from Peer Gynt is considered one of his easiest pieces for beginners to try their hands at.

1. Johann Pachelbel

The German composer Johann Pachelbel is well-known for his works on the organ in a number of cities. He is credited with institutionalising the German organ music tradition. His works are extremely embellished and decorated, and have brought him much fame during his lifetime and beyond. With over five hundred compositions to his name, Johann Pachelbel is a significant name in the world of classical piano music. 

His Canon in D is a staple for any beginner pianist who knows Pachelbel, although it is considered a little tricky by some.

1. Claude Debussy

French composer Claude Debussy was inspired by the various artists, poets, and movements of his time, such as Modernism, Symbolism, Impressionism, and surprisingly even Romanticism. Having been trained under Madame Maute who was a student of Chopin herself, Debussy mastered the fundamentals of the piano. He also wrote a number of orchestral pieces for concerts.

Although one of his least favourite compositions, Debussy’s Claire de Lune is a classic favourite that beginners should strive to work towards.

1. Franz Schubert

Franz Schubert is known to bridge the worlds of Classical and Romantic music with his compositions. Although he passed away at a fairly young age, Schubert managed to make his name among the hall of classical composers with pieces like Symphony No. 9 in C major, Waltz in B minor, and Ave Maria.

His Impromptus and Moments Musicaux capture the essence of the Romantic era very well and are great for beginners to learn.

Tips when learning Classical Music

• Begin your learning slowly, and gradually pick up the pace.

• Something that growing musicians will hear all the time is to keep practicing. The phrase ‘practice makes perfect’ holds very true in the world of music, and will take you to great lengths.

• Actively listening to recordings of classical pieces will also greatly help to understand the emotion and style of the composers.

• Always take regular breaks when necessary, so as to not overwork yourself.

Embarking on a musical journey is a beautiful experience that is extremely rewarding. Learning to play piano pieces by famous composers is a great way to interact with the beauty of their music and also discover the joy it brought to generations of people who resonated with these compositions. It may seem intimidating at first, but with consistency and regular practice, these classical pieces will be important stepping stones on your journey of music.