Listen to the most beautiful violin music from the 24 greatest violin composers of all times

Explore the baroque, classical, romantic and modern period with some beautiful listen tips of the 24 greatest violin composers and learn what’s so special about them. I’ve got three violin pieces per composer for you, so sit back and enjoy!

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6 Greatest Violin Composers in the Baroque Period

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Bach’s six Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin are some of the most important pieces in the violin repertoire and played by every major soloist. Although he is most famous for his sacred music, he wrote these while working for the prince of Köthen who anted only secular works.

Violin music by Johann Sebastian Bach:

Concerto for Two Violins

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24 printable PDF flash cards

Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759)

Handel’s violin sonatas are beautiful examples of the Baroque style, both regal and playful. Born in Germany, he spent most of his life in England working for King George I and King George II, and became famous for his operas.

Violin music by Georg Friedrich Handel:

Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)

Like Bach, Telemann also wrote a collection of works for solo violin, as well as several concertos for four violins. He was the most popular and prolific composer of his day, with over 3,000 finished works.

Violin music by Georg Philipp Telemann:

12 Fantasias for Solo Violin

Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713)

Corelli’s violin sonatas and concerti grossi became famous throughout Europe, known for their rich textures and creative harmonies. His music also helped establish the preeminence of the violin.

Violin music by Arcangelo Corelli:

Christmas Concerto

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

No composer had more impact on the early development of the violin concerto. Vivaldi wrote 230, most notably the beloved Four Seasons. Most of these he wrote for L’Ospedale della Pietà, a convent and orphanage that also boasted one of the most celebrated orchestras in Europe.

Violin music by Antonio Vivaldi:

Concerto for Four Violins in B Minor

Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770)

Tartini is remembered for the violin sonata he wrote after purportedly having a dream where he saw the devil playing the violin. While that is his most famous work, he also wrote 135 violin concertos.

Violin music by Giuseppe Tartini:

Violin Concerto in E Minor

6 Greatest Violin Composers in the Classical Period

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

Haydn wrote three violin concertos that are treasured by both students and professionals for their beauty and technical challenges. In addition to his concertos and numerous string quartets, he is often called “the father of the symphony” because he wrote one hundred and six of them.

Violin music by Joseph Hayden:

“Surprise” Symphony

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Mozart wrote five violin concertos in three years, and the later three are the most celebrated examples of the mid-classical violin concerto. The first movement of his work for string quartet Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is among the most recognized classical melodies.

Violin music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:

Symphony No. 29

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Although primarily known for his piano and symphonic works, Beethoven’s violin concerto is one of the longest and most challenging in the repertoire. The first performance was unsuccessful, and the concerto did not become popular until long after Beethoven’s death.

Violin music by Ludwig van Beethoven:

Violin Sonata No. 5 in F Major ‘Spring’

Rodolphe Kreutzer (1766-1831)

A professor at the Conservatoire de Paris and considered a founding father of the French violin school, Kreutzer essential work 42 Etudes is often called “the violin bible.” Kreutzer also wrote nineteen violin concertos.

Violin music by Rodolphe Kreutzer:

Etude No. 2

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Mendelssohn wrote two violin concertos, one for string orchestra and one for classical symphony. Violin Concerto in E Minor bridges the classical and romantic eras and is regularly ranked in the top five violin concertos ever written.

Violin music by Felix Mendelssohn:

String Octet

Nicolo Paganini (1782-1840)

Paganini’s infamous 24 Caprices, not to mention his six violin concertos, push the limits of players’ physical capabilities. Audiences were so shocked by his antics that there were rumors he had made a deal with the devil. He probably just practiced a lot.

Violin music by Nicolo Paganini:

Caprice No. 24

Download free violin composer flash cards

24 printable PDF flash cards

6 Greatest Violin Composers in the Romantic Period

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Brahms’ intense concerto, his three violin sonatas, and other solo pieces are dream-repertoire for any very serious student. If you want to delve a little deeper, check out his double concerto for violin and cello.

Violin music by Johannes Brahms:

String Quartet No. 1

Henryk Wieniawski (1835-1880)

 Little-known outside the violin world, Wieniawski spent his short but eventful life writing dramatic concertos, solo pieces, and caprices that rival Paganini’s. He traveled all over the world concertizing and composing until he died of a heart attack at age forty-four.

Violin music by Henryk Wieniawski:

Scherzo Tarantelle

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto, written while trying to escape depression, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. He is best known for his symphonic works and his numerous ballets including Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker.

Violin music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky:

Serenade for Strings

Max Bruch (1838-1920)

A young but talented German composer achieved international fame through just one piece: Violin Concerto in G Minor. Jealous composers scoffed at him for the enormous success of this piece, and even Bruch was reportedly angry that it eclipsed all his other work.

Violin music by Max Bruch:

String Quintet in E-flat Major

Pablo de Sarasate (1844-1908)

This Spanish-born violinist and composer toured the world to bring the flavor and exuberance of his homeland to other cultures through his music. Notable composers such as Lalo, Bizet, and Saint-Saëns dedicated pieces to Sarasate.

Violin music by Pablo de Sarasate:

Zapateado

Edouard Lalo (1823-1892)

Ironically, this French composer is best-known for his Spanish-sounding violin concerto, which also happens to be the piece that inspired Tchaikovsky to write his own famous violin concerto. He had an extensive number of other works including three operas.

Violin music by Edouard Lalo:

Piano Trio No. 1

6 Greatest Violin Composers in the Modern Period

Eugene Ysaÿe (1858-1931)

A giant of the classical world both figuratively and literally, Ysaÿe brings modern harmonies and effects to his virtuosic compositions. His sonatas for solo violin are even more difficult than earlier ones by Paganini and Wieniawski.

Violin music by Eugene Ysaÿe:

Snow of Yesteryear

Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

 Elgar’s violin concerto is his longest orchestral work, and incredibly difficult. He declared himself that he loved its strong emotional style. Elgar’s most beloved works include The Dream of Gerontius and Enigma Variations.

Violin music by Edward Elgar:

String Quartet in E Minor

Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962)

This Viennese-turned-American violinist was a household name at the turn of the century due to his live concerts and his recordings. His show pieces are common encores on concerts and recitals. Kreisler had a distinct sound known for its sweet tone and expressive phrasing.

Violin music by Fritz Kreisler:

Praeludium und Allegro

Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)

Prokofiev, a major Soviet composer, is known mainly as a pianist, but his violin concerto and sonatas are incredibly important to the repertoire for their originality and unusual beauty.

Violin music by Sergei Prokofiev:

Peter and the Wolf

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)

Shostakovich spent his conflicted composing career writing in two styles: a straight-forward one to satisfy the Soviets, and an inventive, ground-breaking one to satisfy himself. The violin concerto is one of the latter, which is why it was not performed until after Stalin’s death.

Violin music by Dmitri Shostakovich:

String Quartet No. 8

Samuel Barber (1910-1981)

One of the quintessential composers of the American style, Barber’s lush, nostalgic compositions include a violin concerto, his famous string quartet, and a rarely heard unfinished violin sonata. Many of his vocal songs have also been transcribed for violin.

Violin music by Samuel Barber:

Sonata (Unfinished)