1887-1979
For nearly four decades, American composer Aaron Copland achieved a distinctive musical characterization of American themes in an expressive modern style.
1900-1990
An originator of big-band jazz, Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over his 50-year career.
1899-1974
1913-1987
1916-1983
1911-2004
James Levine is a renowned pianist, violinist and conductor who has served as music director of the Metropolitan Opera since 1971.
1943-
1924-1994
Austrian composer and conductor Gustav Mahler became popular in the late 19th century for his emotionally charged and subtly orchestrated symphonies.
1860-1911
1809-1847
Bandleader Glenn Miller inspired the World War II generation and boosted morale with many popular songs.
1904-1944
Tito Puente was a musical pioneer, mixing musical styles with Latin sounds and experimenting in fusing Latin music with jazz.
1923-2000
Composer and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic won a Grammy Award in 1986 for their recording of Witold Lutoslawski's "Symphony No. 3".
1958-
1916-1999
William Grant Still was a conductor and composer and the first African-American to conduct a professional symphony orchestra in the U.S.
1895-1978
1882-1977
Russian composer Igor Stravinsky wrote more than 100 works, including pieces for Les Sylphides, Firebird and Petrouchka, performed by the Ballet Russes.
1882-1971
1896-1989
Richard Wagner is best known for creating several complex operas, including Tristan and Isolde and Ring Cycle, as well as for his anti-semitic writings.
1813-1883
1903-1992
American composer and conductor John Williams has scored more than 75 films, including Jaws, the Star Wars trilogy, E.T. and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
1932-