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Discover the Melodies of History

Dive into the rich tapestry of musical history featuring renowned composers

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Explore an extraordinary collection of over 900 images showcasing legendary music composers from the Bettmann Archive. This curated selection captures the essence of musical genius, featuring iconic figures who shaped the soundtracks of our lives. Each photograph tells a story, reflecting the cultural and historical significance of these composers.

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Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Gershwin Composing

Gershwin Composing
(Original Caption) George Gershwin composing a tune at the piano. Undated photograph. BPA2# 763

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait of German Composer Robert Schumann

Portrait of German Composer Robert Schumann
(Original Caption) Robert Schumann: Reproduction of an etching by L. Otto, after a Danish photograph. This portrait is preferred by Schumann's family as the most faithful and characteristic

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Pupils Surrounding Composer Franz Liszt

Pupils Surrounding Composer Franz Liszt
(Original Caption) Franz Liszt: (1811-1886) Hungarian piano virtuoso and composer among his pupils

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Display of Musical Score by Ludwig Beethoven

Display of Musical Score by Ludwig Beethoven
Composer Ludwig Van Beethoven's music score for the last movement of the ninth symphony

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait Of Frederick Delius

Portrait Of Frederick Delius
(Original Caption) Portrait of Frederick Delius (1863-1943), English composer. Photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait of the Young Composer Gustave Mahler

Portrait of the Young Composer Gustave Mahler
(Original Caption) Gustave Mahler: (1860-1911), composer and conductor as a youth

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait of German Music Composer Robert Schumann

Portrait of German Music Composer Robert Schumann
(Original Caption) Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait of Romantic Era Music Composer Chopin

Portrait of Romantic Era Music Composer Chopin

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait of Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka

Portrait of Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka
Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka, the internatianally renound Russian composer, also founded the Russian nationalist school

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Suffrage Leader Julia Ward Howe

Suffrage Leader Julia Ward Howe
(Original Caption) Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910), composer of The Battle Hymn of the Republic and leader of women's suffrage movement. Also a noted writer and lecturer

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Sculpture of the Head of Austrian Composer Franz Joseph Haydn

Sculpture of the Head of Austrian Composer Franz Joseph Haydn
(Original Caption) Joseph Haydn

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Gustave Mahler

Gustave Mahler
(Original Caption) Portrait of young Gustave Mahler (standing) 1860-1911; Austrian composer. Undated photo

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Young Mozart Performing at Vienna Church

Young Mozart Performing at Vienna Church
(Original Caption) Vienna, Austria: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Austrian composer. Mozart at the age of six playing the organ in the Church of the Franciscans in Vienna

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Felix Mendelssohn

Felix Mendelssohn
Portrait of German composer Felix Mendelssohn

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait of Italian Composer Gioacchino Antonio Rossini

Portrait of Italian Composer Gioacchino Antonio Rossini
(Original Caption) G. Rossini

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: French Composer Louis Hector Berlioz

French Composer Louis Hector Berlioz
Louis-Hector Berlioz (1803-1869), French composer

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait of Opera Composer Giuseppe Verdi

Portrait of Opera Composer Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Fotunino Francesco Verdi, Italian composer

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Profile of the Polish Born French Music Composer Chopin

Profile of the Polish Born French Music Composer Chopin
(Original Caption) Frederic Chopin

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Francis Scott Key Composing 'The Star Spangled Banner'

Francis Scott Key Composing "The Star Spangled Banner"
9/1814-ORIGINAL CAPTION READS: Francis Scott Key composing "The Star Spangled Banner"

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Interior of Robert Schumann Apartment

Interior of Robert Schumann Apartment
(Original Caption) The studio of composer, Robert Schumann during his stay in Dussefdorf in the 1850's is shown

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms
(Original Caption) German composer and pianist

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait of Gioacchino Rossini

Portrait of Gioacchino Rossini
(Original Caption) Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868), Italian composer

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Franz Liszt

Franz Liszt

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Young Peter Tschaikovsky

Young Peter Tschaikovsky
(Original Caption) Peter I. Tschaikovsky as a student at the conservatory. Photo, 1863

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait of Bedrich Smetana

Portrait of Bedrich Smetana
Portrait of the Czech composer Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884)

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Russian Composer Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky

Russian Composer Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
P.TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) RUSSIAN COMPOSER.PHOTOGRAPH C.1868

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Composer Cesar Franck

Composer Cesar Franck
Cesar Franck, a Franco-Belgian Romantic composer and organist, who sought to make French music as serious as German music

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait of Giuseppi Verdi

Portrait of Giuseppi Verdi
(Original Caption) Giuseppi Verdi (1813-1901) Italian composer. Photo taken in the late 1870's

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms
(Original Caption) Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). Photograph of the composer taken in the 1870's

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Johann Strauss In Frock Coat With Violin

Johann Strauss In Frock Coat With Violin
(Original Caption) Johann Strauss standing in frock coat, violin in hand, ca. 1870. Photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: W.C. Handy

W.C. Handy
(Original Caption) William Christopher Handy (1873-1959). Composer of the "St. Louis Blues." 1873 photo

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Russian Composer Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky

Russian Composer Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky
1875: Modeste Moussorgsky (1839-1881), Russian composer, 1835-1881

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Composer Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky

Composer Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1879 in a very productive period when he had just written Eugene Onegin

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait of Anton Bruckner

Portrait of Anton Bruckner
(Original Caption) Anton Bruckner: (1824-1896) Austrian composer

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Composer Richard Wagner

Composer Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner (1813-1883), German composer. Originator of the music drama and pioneer in the development of the leitmotiv. Undated photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: German Composer Johannes Brahms

German Composer Johannes Brahms
Ca. 1880-Head and shoulder portrait of Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), German composer. Photograph by Luckhardt (Vienna)

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Composer Franz Liszt

Composer Franz Liszt
(Original Caption) Liszt, Franz Von. Composer and piano virtuoso (1811-1886). Photo ca. 1880. BPA 2 #767

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Hugo Wolf Sitting in a Chair

Hugo Wolf Sitting in a Chair
Portrait of Austrian composer Hugo Wolf (1860-1903)

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Walter Johannes with His Father

Walter Johannes with His Father
German American Composer Walter Johannes Damrosch, with his father Leopold Damrosch

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Russian Composer Tchaikovsky

Russian Composer Tchaikovsky
The Russian composer Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), who is famous for his classical ballet scores including Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and most notably, The Nutcracker

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Composer Anton Bruckner by Grand Piano

Composer Anton Bruckner by Grand Piano
(Original Caption) Bruckner in work room sitting at the side of his grand piano

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Gustav Mahler

Gustav Mahler
(Original Caption) Mahler, Gustav (1860-1911), Austrian composer. Photograph showing him as a young man with full beard during his stay at Prague. Undated

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait of Edward MacDowell

Portrait of Edward MacDowell
American composer, Edward Alexander MacDowell (1861-1908)

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Russian Composer Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky

Russian Composer Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
P.TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893), RUSSIAN COMPOSER.PHOTOGRAPH C.1889

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Anton Bruckner by Jerry Branton

Anton Bruckner by Jerry Branton
Anton Bruckner in advanced age. Painting by Jerry Branton, 1889

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Conductor Richard Strauss Rehearsing

Conductor Richard Strauss Rehearsing
German conductor Richard Strauss rehearses a Humperdinck opera in Weimar, Germany

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Austrian Composer Gustav Mahler

Austrian Composer Gustav Mahler

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Pianist Ferrucio Busoni Posing at Piano

Pianist Ferrucio Busoni Posing at Piano
(Original Caption) Ferrucio Busoni, (1866-1924), Italian pianist and composer. Considered greatest piano technician after Liszt and Rubinstein

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Waist Up Portrait Of Hugo Wolf

Waist Up Portrait Of Hugo Wolf
(Original Caption) Hugo Wolf (1860-1903)Austrian composer and disciple of Wagner. Undated photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Composer Johannes Brahms in Suit

Composer Johannes Brahms in Suit

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Edward Grieg In Head And Shoulders Shot

Edward Grieg In Head And Shoulders Shot
(Original Caption) 1895-Edward Grieg (1843-1907) Norwegian composer. Portrait

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Broadway Composer Richard Adler

Broadway Composer Richard Adler
(Original Caption) Composer Richard Alder who scored the Broadway hits "Pajama Game" and "Damn Yankees" will be a guest panelist on "Alumni Fun" Sunday, Feb 17 (ABC-TV)

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin
(Original Caption) Irving Berlin, the composer, is pictured in 1968. He is to be 95.5/10/1983

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Composer W.C.Handy Writing Music

Composer W.C.Handy Writing Music
Composer W.C. Handy makes notations on sheet music while creating St. Louis Blues

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Composer Burt Bacharach

Composer Burt Bacharach
A portrait of Academy Award winning composer Burt Bacharach

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Beethoven's Piano in Beethoven-Haus

Beethoven's Piano in Beethoven-Haus
Composer and musician Ludwig Van Beethoven's piano as preserved in the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn in Germany

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Dimitri Mitropoulis Behind Stand; Baton

Dimitri Mitropoulis Behind Stand; Baton
(Original Caption) Dimitri Mitropoulis: (1896-1960), Greek conductor and composer. 3/4 length photo behind music stand with baton

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Arnold Schoenberg

Arnold Schoenberg
(Original Caption) Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) Austrian composer-pioneer in atonality. Photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Gustave Charpentier At 91 Wearing Cap

Gustave Charpentier At 91 Wearing Cap
(Original Caption) Gustave Charpentier (1860-1956) French composer, at the age of 91. Head And shoulders photo at desk wearing a cap

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Aaron Copland Studying Musical Score

Aaron Copland Studying Musical Score
(Original Caption) The Eighth Berkshire festival is held at Tanglewood. Aaron Copeland, famous composer, studying a score on the grounds at the Berkshire Music Festival. Photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Composer Sergi Prokofieff

Composer Sergi Prokofieff
(Original Caption) Composer Sergi Prokofieff holding his baton. Filed 2/11/1946

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Franz Schubert, Austrian Composer

Franz Schubert, Austrian Composer
(Original Caption) Franz Schubert (1797-1828), Austrian composer

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Erroll Garner Reminisces

Erroll Garner Reminisces
(Original Caption) BRUSSELS: Winding up his 15th tour of Europe, pianist Erroll Garner reminisces about his musical career. At age 53, he's one of the most sought-after musicians in the world

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait Of Composer Anton Dvorak

Portrait Of Composer Anton Dvorak
(Original Caption) Portrait of composer Anton Dvorak in the 1860's. Photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait Of Edward Greig

Portrait Of Edward Greig
(Original Caption) Portrait of composer Edward Greig. Undated photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Irving Berlin At The Piano

Irving Berlin At The Piano
(Original Caption) Irving Berlin at the piano. Undated photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Headshoulders Portrait Jerome Kern

Headshoulders Portrait Jerome Kern
(Original Caption) Jerome Kern (1885-1945). American composer. Portrait photo taken in the early 1900's

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Sir Edward Elgar British Composer

Sir Edward Elgar British Composer
(Original Caption) Sir Edward Elger: British Composer (1857-1934) in his work room during his later years. Undated photo

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Ethal Merman Sings To Irving Berlin

Ethal Merman Sings To Irving Berlin
(Original Caption) Ethal Merman sings to Irving Berlin the words and music for the new musical "Call me Madam" for wich Mr. Berlin has written the words and music

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Aaron Copeland Composing in Studio

Aaron Copeland Composing in Studio
(Original Caption) Aaron Copeland in his studio composing. 1930's photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Aaron Copland Conducting; Seated

Aaron Copland Conducting; Seated
(Original Caption) Aaron Copland conducting, 1960's. Photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Duke Ellington Rehearsing His Band

Duke Ellington Rehearsing His Band
(Original Caption) Duke Ellington (1899-1974), American composer & arranger, rehearsing his band, with "Jimmy" Hamilton (b.1917) on the clarinet. Photograph, ca. 1944-45

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Mcguire Sisters With Jimmy Mchugh

Mcguire Sisters With Jimmy Mchugh
(Original Caption) The McGuire Sisters singing with songwriter Jimmy McHugh at the piano. Undated photo

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Benny Goodman Playing Clarinet

Benny Goodman Playing Clarinet
(Original Caption) Benny Goodman Playing Clarinet while wering tuxedo

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Cab Calloway, American Bandleader and Singer

Cab Calloway, American Bandleader and Singer
Composer, bandleader, and singer Cab Calloway holding his conductor's baton. He is wearing a tuxedo. Undated publicity still

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Richard Strauss German Composer

Richard Strauss German Composer
(Original Caption) Richard Strauss (1864-1949), German composer. Widely reguarded as leader of the New Romantic school

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait Of Composer Hector Berlioz

Portrait Of Composer Hector Berlioz
(Original Caption) Portrait of composer Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) seated. Undated photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Percy Grainger Playing The Piano

Percy Grainger Playing The Piano
(Original Caption) Percy Grainger (1881-1961), American pianist and composer of Australian origin, seated at the piano

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Franz Liszt, Composer, And Family Members

Franz Liszt, Composer, And Family Members
(Original Caption) Franz Liszt (1811-1886). Hungarian piano virtuoso and his composer with members of his family. Photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Portrait Of Edward Macdowell

Portrait Of Edward Macdowell
(Original Caption) Portrait of Edward MacDowell (1861-1908). American composer. Photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Giacomo Puchini Checking Score For The Girl of the Golden West

Giacomo Puchini Checking Score For The Girl of the Golden West
(Original Caption) Naples, Italy: Giacomo Puchini checking score during premier of "Girl of the Golden West"

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Arthur Rubinstein Seated With Chin/Hand

Arthur Rubinstein Seated With Chin/Hand
(Original Caption) Arthur Rubinsten seated with chin in hand. Photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Jazz Pianist Fats Waller At The Organ

Jazz Pianist Fats Waller At The Organ
(Original Caption) Fats Waller, jazz pianist, at the organ. Undated photograph

Background imageDiscover the Melodies of History: Richard Strauss With His Wife And Son

Richard Strauss With His Wife And Son
(Original Caption) Composer Richard Strauss, his wife Pauline, and their son, Franz. Undated photograph



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