Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner — the composers whose music still moves the world centuries later.
60 GeniusesA great composer changes the way music itself works. Bach gave us counterpoint at its peak. Mozart gave us melodic perfection. Beethoven gave us emotion that still hits as hard today as it did in 1824.
This list ranks the composers whose work redefined what music could express, organized by influence and breadth.
Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven are the three most-cited candidates. Most musicologists rank Bach first for technical mastery, Mozart for melodic genius, and Beethoven for emotional range.
Mozart's IQ is most commonly estimated at 165–180. He composed his first symphony at age 8.
Nine completed symphonies, the last (the Ninth, "Choral") composed when he was completely deaf.
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