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Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844 – 1908) was a Russian composer famed in Russia for his operas. He was a master of orchestration and is best-known for the 'Flight of the Bumblebee' from 'Tsar Saltan'. Taking inspiration from folk stories & fairy tales, Nikolai's scores are not as well-known in the West, but many excerpts are familiar to Western audiences including 'The Dance of the Tumblers' from 'Snowmaiden', 'Procession of the Nobles' from 'Mlada' & orchestral compositions 'Capriccio Espagnol', the 'Russian Easter Festival Overture' and 'Scheherazade'. Read more about Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Georges Bizet (1838 – 1875) was a French composer and pianist of the romantic era. 'Carmen' (1875) is Bizet's best-known work and composed the title role for a mezzo-soprano. 'Carmen' (1875) is Bizet's best-known work and composed the title role for a mezzo-soprano. 'Carmen' was not initially well-received but praise for it eventually came from well-known contemporaries Claude Debussy, Camille Saint-Saens and Peter Illych. The aria 'Habernera' is now an opera standard. Read more about Georges Bizet

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750) was a prolific German composer and organist of the Baroque period. He composed sacred works for choir, orchestra and solo instruments. Since the 19th-century Bach revival he has been generally regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music. Bach's most famous works include the 'Brandenburg Concertos', the 'Goldberg Variations', the 'French and English Suites', the 'Mass in B Minor', 'The Art of Fugue', the 'Sonatas and Partitas' for violin solo and the 'Cello Suites'. Perhaps his best known piece is the 'Toccata and Fugue in D Minor'. 'Bach's music features three times—more than that of any other composer—on the Voyager Golden Record, a gramophone record containing a broad sample of the images, common sounds, languages, and music of Earth, sent into outer space with the two Voyager probes.' OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY More information about JS Bach

Henry Mancini (1924 – 1994) was an Academy Award winning American composer, conductor and arranger. He is best-known for 'The Pink Panther Theme' & 'Moon River' from the Audrey Hepburn classic film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (1961). Henry Mancini's film and television scores won him a record number of Grammy awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. It's sometimes hard to believe that the 'Pink Panther Theme' and 'Moon River' were written by the same hand but both are immediately recognisable and share similar iconic status. 'Concerto TV' salutes this great talent of the silver screen. Get information about Henry Mancini

Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840) was an Italian violinist, guitarist and composer. He was one of the most celebrated violin virtuosi of his time, and left his mark as one of the pillars of modern violin technique. Niccolo Paganini is best known for his 'Caprice in A Minor' (Op. 1 No. 24) and he served as an inspiration for other prominent composers from Johannes Brahms to Sergei Rachmaninoff and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The French composer Hector Berlioz described Paganini as 'A blazing comet!' Several of his musical compositions feature on 'Concerto TV'. Get information about Niccolo Paganini

Nino Rota (1911 – 1979) was an Italian composer best known for his work on film scores such 'The Godfather' trilogy. Nino Rota scored films such as Federico Fellini's 'Romeo & Juliet' & The Godfather trilogy. Rota also composed ten operas, five ballets and many other orchestral and choral works, the most famous being his string concerto. 'Concerto TV' features artist performances of his works. Get updates & news from Nino Rota

George Gershwin (1898 - 1937) was an American composer who won international recognition for his contribution to contemporary classical composition and musical theatre, which he wrote in collaboration with his elder brother, lyricist Ira Gershwin. Gershwin's compositions remain popular with countless recordings by singers and musicians, including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Madonna and Sting. He is perhaps best known for his timeless jazz and classical standards 'Summertime' from 'Porgy and Bess' and 'Rhapsody in Blue' used in Disney's 'Fantasia 2000'. 'Concerto TV' celebrates this great American composer. Get information about George Gershwin

Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741) nicknamed il Prete Rosso "The Red Priest", was a Venetian priest and Baroque music composer, as well as a famous virtuoso violinist. Antonio Vivaldi was born and raised in the Republic of Venice. His best-known works are 'The Goldfinch' and series of four violin concerti, called 'The Four Seasons' - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Today, Vivaldi ranks among the most popular and widely recorded of Baroque composers, second only to Bach, who himself was deeply influenced by Vivaldi's work. Vivaldi's works are performed by multiple artists on 'Concerto TV'. Read more about Antonio Vivaldi

Achille-Claude Debussy (1862 – 1918) was a French composer who along with Maurice Ravel, is considered one of the most prominent figures working within the field of Impressionist music. Debussy was not only among the most important of all French composers but also was a central figure in all European music at the turn of the twentieth century. He is perhaps best known for his piece 'Clair de Lune', used in the finale of 2001's Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Julian Roberts film 'Ocean's 11'. This haunting orchestral piece also features 'Concerto TV'. Get information about Claude Debussy

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of Italian opera. Verdi's works are frequently performed, transcending the boundaries of the opera genre. He is best known for "La Donna E Mobile" from Rigoletto, & "Va, Pensiero"(The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco, & "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" (The Drinking Song) from 'La Traviata.' His works feature on 'Concerto TV' Read more about Giuseppe Verdi

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. His output of over 600 compositions includes works widely acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic and choral music. Mozart is among the most enduringly popular of classical composers, and many of his works are part of the standard concert repertoire. His Opera's include 'The Magic Flute' and 'The Marriage of Figaro' and he is also well known for his unfinished 'Requiem' and piano concertos. A large number of musicians and artists play from Mozart's vast musical works on ' Concerto TV '. Read more about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber is the most successful British composer of musical theatre of all time. His musicals, film scores & 'Requiem Mass' are known globally & have to date, garnered him with multiple Tony Awards and Grammy Awards & an Oscar. Andrew Lloyd Webber is perhaps best known for 'Pie Jesu' from Requiem, 'Don't Cry for Me, Argentina' from Evita, 'Memory' from Cats & 'The Music of the Night' from The Phantom of the Opera. His younger brother Julian is a talented & successful cellist. Lloyd Webber's music features on ' Concerto TV '. Get updates & news from Andrew Lloyd Webber