Niccolò Paganini, born on 27 October 1782 in Genoa, Italy, was the ultimate showman long before that term even existed. Reports said that during performances, his eyes would roll back in his head while he played. His magnetism was so

Domenico Scarlatti, born on 26 October 1685 in Naples, Italy, composed 555 keyboard sonatas for harpsichord or the earliest pianofortes. Only a small fraction of these sonatas were published during his lifetime, but his most famous collection, his 30 Essercizi,

Johann Strauss Jr. (1825–1899) wrote more than 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other dance forms. Dubbed the “Waltz King,” his name is synonymous with the Viennese waltz, a form he both refined and immortalised. With his unique blend of charm,

The composer Sofia Gubaidulina, born on 24 October 1931 in Chistopol, a small town on the Volga in the Tartar ASSR, decidedly explored the tensions between Western and Eastern music. Her innovative use of microtonality and chromaticism, along with contrasting

Kirill Gerstein, born on 23 October 1979 in Voronezh, Russia, is one of the most distinguished classical artists of his generation. He is a phenomenon, displaying ferocious technique and discerning intelligence, all paired with a serious grounding in jazz. Thomas

Franz Liszt (1811–1886) was the original piano superstar. He had the looks and the locks, all paired with theatrical flair and fingers that moved at blazing speed. He was the prototypical musical showman, but behind his flamboyant public demeanour was

Georg Solti, born in Budapest on 21 October 1912, became music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1969. He dedicated most of the next 22 years to this relationship, taking the orchestra on tour to huge critical acclaim and

Charles Ives, born on 20 October 1874 in Danbury, Connecticut, is regarded as the leading American composer of art music of the early 20th century. He composed only in his free time, turned down a professional music career, and made