Famous Composers’ Birthdays: A Year-Round Celebration of Music

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Music has always been humanity’s favorite universal language. Long before Spotify playlists and TikTok mashups, we had composers — people who sat down with quills, manuscripts, and probably an unhealthy amount of coffee (or wine) and created the soundtracks of history.

From Mozart’s playful genius to Beethoven’s stormy symphonies, the birthdays of these musical masterminds are more than just dates — they’re yearly excuses to dust off a concerto, throw on a playlist, or just casually mention at a dinner party, “Did you know today is Bach’s birthday?” (Guaranteed to make you sound 83% more cultured).

So, let’s take a trip through the calendar and explore some of the most famous composers’ birthdays.

Famous Composers’ Birthdays (Alphabetical)

When was Johann Sebastian Bach born?

Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 31, 1685, in Eisenach, Germany.

Bach is often described as the backbone of classical music. His works — from the Brandenburg Concertos to the Goldberg Variations — laid the foundation for much of Western harmony and theory. He was a master of the organ and could improvise so brilliantly that people traveled miles just to hear him play.

Fun fact: Bach had 20 children (yes, twenty!), several of whom became composers themselves. His birthday is often marked with organ recitals and music festivals worldwide.

When was Ludwig van Beethoven born?

Beethoven was baptized on December 17, 1770, in Bonn, Germany, which means he was likely born the day before.

Known for his fiery temper, revolutionary music, and tragic hearing loss, Beethoven gave us symphonies, sonatas, and quartets that remain staples of the repertoire. His 9th Symphony (“Ode to Joy”) has become an anthem of unity and freedom.

Fun fact: Even though he lost his hearing, Beethoven continued to compose masterpieces by “feeling” vibrations on the piano.

When was Johannes Brahms born?

Johannes Brahms was born on May 7, 1833, in Hamburg, Germany.

A leading figure of the Romantic era, Brahms was both a traditionalist and innovator. He wrote lush symphonies, chamber works, and piano pieces, but he’s also famous for his Lullaby — yes, the one that everyone sings to babies.

Fun fact: Brahms was a perfectionist and destroyed many of his compositions because he didn’t think they were good enough.

When was Benjamin Britten born?

Benjamin Britten was born on November 22, 1913, in Suffolk, England.

One of the greatest British composers of the 20th century, Britten wrote operas (Peter Grimes), orchestral works, and educational music like The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. His music is both modern and accessible, full of drama and character.

Fun fact: His birthday coincides with St. Cecilia’s Day, the patron saint of music — a perfect alignment!

When was Frédéric Chopin born?

Frédéric Chopin was born on March 1, 1810, near Warsaw, Poland (though some documents list February 22).

Known as the “poet of the piano,” Chopin wrote nocturnes, études, and mazurkas that still dazzle pianists and listeners alike. His music is deeply emotional, often delicate, and endlessly expressive.

Fun fact: Chopin was so shy about performing that he preferred intimate salons instead of large concert halls.

When was Claude Debussy born?

Claude Debussy was born on August 22, 1862, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France.

Debussy is often linked with Impressionism in music, though he hated the label. His works, like Clair de Lune and Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, evoke shimmering, dreamlike atmospheres that broke away from traditional harmony.

Fun fact: Debussy once said that music was “the space between the notes” — a radical idea for his time.

When was Edward Elgar born?

Edward Elgar was born on June 2, 1857, in Worcester, England.

Best known for Pomp and Circumstance (aka the graduation march), Elgar also composed the Enigma Variations and great choral works. His music is quintessentially British, full of noble melodies and sweeping grandeur.

Fun fact: Elgar was largely self-taught, proving that you don’t need a conservatory degree to become a legend.

When was George Gershwin born?

George Gershwin was born on September 26, 1898, in Brooklyn, New York.

Gershwin bridged the worlds of classical and popular music with works like Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris. He also wrote hit Broadway musicals and jazz-influenced pieces that defined an American sound.

Fun fact: Gershwin wrote the iconic opera Porgy and Bess — including “Summertime” — in just a few months.

When was Joseph Haydn born?

Joseph Haydn was born on March 31, 1732, in Rohrau, Austria.

Nicknamed the “Father of the Symphony,” Haydn shaped classical form and inspired Mozart and Beethoven. He composed over 100 symphonies and was a master of humor in music — sometimes surprising audiences with sudden silences or loud notes.

Fun fact: Haydn once wrote a “Farewell Symphony” where musicians left the stage one by one until only two violins remained — a not-so-subtle hint to his patron that the orchestra needed a vacation.

When was Franz Liszt born?

Franz Liszt was born on October 22, 1811, in Raiding, Hungary.

Liszt was the first true celebrity pianist. His virtuosic performances caused Lisztomania — fans fainted, fought over his gloves, and collected locks of his hair. Beyond his showmanship, Liszt pioneered the symphonic poem and taught generations of pianists.

Fun fact: He could reportedly sight-read entire symphonies flawlessly. Show-off.

When was Gustav Mahler born?

Gustav Mahler was born on July 7, 1860, in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic).

Mahler’s symphonies are massive — sometimes lasting over 90 minutes — and full of emotional extremes. He bridged late Romanticism and early modernism, influencing composers like Schoenberg and Shostakovich.

Fun fact: Mahler was also a famous conductor, known for his demanding rehearsal style.

When was Felix Mendelssohn born?

Felix Mendelssohn was born on February 3, 1809, in Hamburg, Germany.

A child prodigy, Mendelssohn composed symphonies, concertos, and choral works. His Wedding March remains one of the most recognized pieces ever. He also revived interest in Bach’s music, which had been largely forgotten.

Fun fact: Mendelssohn loved painting watercolors in his free time.

When was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart born?

Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg, Austria.

Perhaps the most famous composer of all time, Mozart’s genius spanned operas (The Magic Flute), symphonies, concertos, and chamber works. He composed over 600 pieces before his early death at just 35.

Fun fact: Mozart could write down entire compositions without correction — music seemed to flow straight out of his brain.

When was Carl Orff born?

Carl Orff was born on July 10, 1895, in Munich, Germany.

He is best known for Carmina Burana, particularly the thundering “O Fortuna.” Orff also developed a music education system (Orff Schulwerk) that’s still used with children worldwide.

Fun fact: Orff believed rhythm was the most important element of music.

When was Sergei Rachmaninoff born?

Rachmaninoff was born on April 1, 1873, in Semyonovo, Russia.

One of the last great Romantic composers, Rachmaninoff wrote piano concertos and symphonies full of sweeping emotion and technical difficulty. His Piano Concerto No. 2 remains a crowd favorite.

Fun fact: He had enormous hands — he could stretch 12 piano keys at once!

When was Robert Schumann born?

Robert Schumann was born on June 8, 1810, in Zwickau, Germany.

Schumann was both a composer and influential music critic. He wrote symphonies, piano works, and songs, often inspired by his wife Clara, a brilliant pianist herself.

Fun fact: Schumann created fictional characters — Florestan and Eusebius — to represent different sides of his personality in his music critiques.

When was Franz Schubert born?

Schubert was born on January 31, 1797, in Vienna, Austria.

Though he died young (at 31), Schubert produced over 600 songs, symphonies, and chamber works. His music combines lyrical beauty with emotional depth.

Fun fact: He was so short that friends nicknamed him “Schwammerl” (little mushroom).

When was Jean Sibelius born?

Jean Sibelius was born on December 8, 1865, in Hämeenlinna, Finland.

Sibelius gave Finland its musical voice with works like Finlandia and seven symphonies. His music captures the icy landscapes and fierce independence of his homeland.

Fun fact: He lived to 91 but stopped composing in his 60s, leaving behind a mysterious “silence.”

When was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky born?

Tchaikovsky was born on May 7, 1840, in Votkinsk, Russia.

Beloved for ballets (The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty) and dramatic symphonies, Tchaikovsky’s music blends Russian folk themes with Romantic emotion.

Fun fact: His 1812 Overture is one of the only classical pieces that literally calls for cannons.

When was Giuseppe Verdi born?

Giuseppe Verdi was born on October 10, 1813, in Italy.

Verdi’s operas (La Traviata, Aida, Rigoletto) are staples of the repertoire. His music was so tied to Italian nationalism that audiences used his name as a political slogan: “Viva VERDI” stood for “Vittorio Emanuele, Re D’Italia.”

Fun fact: Verdi retired to a farm and grew vegetables when not composing.

🎂 When was Scott Joplin born?

Scott Joplin was born on November 24, 1868, in Texas, USA.

Known as the “King of Ragtime,” Joplin popularized syncopated piano music that influenced jazz and early American music. His Maple Leaf Rag sold over a million copies.

Fun fact: Joplin dreamed of composing operas — and he did, though they weren’t fully appreciated until long after his death.

 Fun Ways to Celebrate 🎂 🎉 

• Host a listening party — pick one composer per month.
• Bake a themed cake — Mozart chocolate torte, anyone?
• Create a “composer of the month” playlist for Spotify.
• Share trivia on social media — instant cultured content.
• Teach kids about composers with craft or music activities.

Final Notes

Composers may be long gone, but their birthdays are timeless. Whether it’s Bach’s intricate fugues, Chopin’s dreamy nocturnes, or Beethoven’s thunderous symphonies, each date is a chance to celebrate the people who shaped the soundtrack of our world.

So next time you’re flipping through your calendar and notice March 31, don’t just think “end of the month.” Think: Today I share a birthday with both Bach and Haydn — and that’s pretty epic.