Composers

Ludwig van Beethoven
http://www.raptusassociation.org/
Exceptionally complete and well done website devoted to Beethoven. In addition to an extensive biography of the composer, there is a list of his works that includes opus number and the respective dates of composition, first performance, and publication, a picture gallery containing images not only of Beethoven himself, but also his family and friends, his teachers, buildings known to him, and monuments to him, information on the creation of many of his compositions, other musicians’ commentaries on Beethoven, articles on Beethoven’s relationship with other famous musicians, information on his friends, new research on Beethoven, and more.

http://www.lvbeethoven.com/index_En.html
Another comprehensive Beethoven website, also extremely well executed. In addition to a detailed biography, this site offers a list of books, a comprehensive list of the composer’s works (many with accompanying full-length MIDI files), a genealogy of Beethoven’s family, a discussion forum, a list of recommended recordings of Beethoven’s music, and much more.

http://www.kingsbarn.freeserve.co.uk/
Yet another site dedicated to Beethoven, and offering a wide variety of information about the composer. Rather than offer a biography, this site includes a timeline, a picture gallery, anecdotes about the composer, a list of the main concerts during Beethoven’s life, his family tree, information on his health, finances, and daily routine, a list of addresses (many with accompanying photographs) where Beethoven stayed, an article about life in Vienna during Beethoven’s time, a “Who’s who” of people associated with Beethoven, photographs and descriptions of pianos and other instruments Beethoven played, a list of his works and descriptions of many of them, audio files (available only to those who register on the site’s discussion forum), MIDI files, a list of recommended recordings, a virtual tour of Beethoven’s Vienna, with numerous photographs, and more.

IraF.BrilliantCenter for Beethoven Studies
http://www2.sjsu.edu/depts/beethoven/
This site offers a several items of general interest in addition to information of interest primarily to researchers. Among these are the results of scientific tests run on a lock of Beethoven’s hair, a link to an all-Beethoven web radio station, and links to other Beethoven-related websites.

Franz Joseph Haydn
http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/haydnj.html
This website offers a concise biography of the famous Austrian composer, as well as audio samples of some of his symphonies, numerous images of the composer, a list of works, and a bibliography.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn
Yet another biography of Haydn, offering many links to articles on terms, persons, and compositions mentioned in the article. Also includes a list of books on Haydn, a list of his works, and links to other articles related to Haydn and his music.

http://www.carolinaclassical.com/articles/haydn.html
Another biography of Haydn, well supplemented with audio examples.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
http://www.mozartproject.org/
This website offers an extensive (though currently incomplete) biography of Mozart, as well as a seemingly complete list of works, many of which link to articles discussing each, articles on topics related to Mozart and his music, a lengthy bibliography, and a well organized list of external links to other relevant sites.

http://www.mozartforum.com/index.htm
Another excellent comprehensive website on Mozart and his music. In addition to his biography, the site also offers the complete Köchel catalog of his works, numerous images of the composer, a “Who’s Who” of people associated with Mozart that includes relevant audio selections where appropriate, a “library” containing articles pertaining to Mozart and his music, reviews of books about Mozart, and a list of Mozart’s essential works, a “news room” listing recent recordings and publications of Mozart’s music, and a discussion forum.

http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/mozart.html
This site offers a concise biography of Mozart, as well audio samples of a number of his compositions, images of the composer, and a bibliography.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart
Wikipedia’s article on Mozart provides an informative account of Mozart’s life, with extensive links to other articles on terms, people, etc. mentioned in the article, a discussion of some of the myths and controversies that surrounded Mozart, audio examples of his music, a list of books, and external links other Mozart-related sites. NOTE: the audio files are in the relatively uncommon .ogg format, which is not recognized by many of the most popular audio-playback programs. There are a number of programs that do play this format, though; one such player that is available for Windows, Mac OS X and other platforms is VLC (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/).

Performers

Bavarian Radio Orchestra
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/BRSO.htm
A concise history of this Munich-based orchestra.

Vladimir Horowitz
http://www.gmlile.com/horowitz/
Russian-born Vladimir Horowitz became known as one of the titans of piano performance in the 20th century. This website offers his biography, a discography, articles on various aspects of his artistry, some of which include audio files of Horowitz discussing his views on music.

Rafael Kubelik
http://www.kubelik.org/
Rafael Kubelik was a Czech-born conductor known for his work leading many of the best German orchestras. This website offers an illustrated biography, a list of his concerts, a discography, and a list of some of his best recordings.

London Philharmonic Orchestra
http://www.lpo.co.uk/index.html
The London Philharmonic is one of London’s premiere orchestras. This is their official website, with information about the orchestra and its members and leaders, a listing of their current concert season, and more.

Eugene Ormandy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Ormandy
A biography of the long-time music director of the Philadelphia orchestra, with numerous links to related articles.

Philadelphia Orchestra
http://www.philorch.org/styles/poa02e/www/index2.html
The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the premiere orchestras in the U.S. This, their official website, offers a history of the ensemble, a discography, a current concert calendar, and much more.

Sir Georg Solti
http://www.georgsolti.com/main.html
Hungarian-born Sir Georg Solti is regarded as one of the top conductors of the second half of the 20th century, particularly for his work with the Chicago Symphony. His official website offers his biography, a timeline, and an article on his views on conducting.

Kiri Te Kanawa
http://sopranos.freeservers.com/kiriteka.htm
New Zealand-born Kiri Te Kanawa has become one of the world’s most in-demand soprano singers today. This site offers a concise biography, photographs, a discography, and a bibliography.

http://www.nzmusic.com/artist.cfm?i=230
This site offers a somewhat lengthier biography Te Kanawa (click on “Biography” to access the full biography), as well as two video selections of her singing, a discussion forum, and more.

Miscellaneous

Classical Music Era
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_music_era
This article provides a somewhat more in-depth look at the Classical style, with many internal links to related articles.

Classical Period Music
http://dorakmt.tripod.com/music/classic.html
This page offers a concise discussion of the Classical era and the different styles within this era that were found in different parts of Europe.

Don Giovanni
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/discover/stories/synopsis.aspx?id=14
A synopsis of this popular Mozart opera with an audio excerpt.

Eine kleine Nachtmusik
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eine_kleine_Nachtmusik
This page offers a description of one of Mozart’s most popular works.

The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte)
http://www.angelfire.com/music2/zauberflote/
This site offers a synopsis of one of Mozart’s most popular operas, as well as audio files of selections from the opera.

http://www.clevelandopera.org/tour/educational/flute/notepage.html
Another site with a lengthier synopsis of the opera, as well as a biography of Mozart, quotes from the composer, and a biography of Maurice Sendak, the well-known children’s author who designed the sets for the Cleveland Opera’s production of the Mozart work.

The Marriage of Figaro
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/discover/stories/synopsis.aspx?id=132
A synopsis of this popular Mozart opera with an audio excerpt.

Pathétique Sonata
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Sonata_No._8_(Beethoven)
A description of this famous piano work by Beethoven, with numerous internal links to related articles.

Pianoforte
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano
An excellent introduction to the piano, including its history, how a piano works, the different types of pianos, and a list of piano manufacturers. The article includes both internal links to related articles and external links to other piano-related websites.

Sonata Form
http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/g_sonata_form.html
A favored form that developed during the Classic era, sonata form is one of the most popular and enduring musical forms in classical music. This site offers a concise description of the form.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonata_form
This article offers a lengthier explanation of sonata form, with numerous internal links to articles on related topics.