1. Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Haydn is often referred to as the "Father of the Symphony" and the "Father of the String Quartet" due to his significant contributions to these musical genres. He composed over 100 symphonies, 60 string quartets, and many other works.
2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Mozart is regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. He displayed prodigious musical talent from a young age and composed extensively in various genres, including symphonies, concertos, sonatas, operas, and more.
3. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Beethoven is considered one of the most influential figures in Western music. He bridged the Classical and Romantic periods and made significant innovations in musical form and expression. Beethoven is known for his symphonies, concertos, sonatas, string quartets, and other compositions.
4. Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Despite his relatively short life, Schubert composed a vast quantity of music, including over 600 lieder (art songs), symphonies, chamber music, operas, and more. He played a crucial role in transitioning Western music from the Classical to Romantic periods.
5. Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826): Weber was a German composer, conductor, pianist, and guitarist. He is notable for his operas, particularly "Der Freischütz," considered one of the first great German Romantic operas.
6. Frederic Chopin (1810-1849): Although Chopin lived during the Romantic period, he is often associated with the Classical style due to his adherence to traditional forms and clarity of expression in his compositions primarily for the piano.
These composers made substantial contributions to the development of classical music during the Classical period, shaping its aesthetics, forms, and technical aspects. Their works continue to be performed and appreciated worldwide.