Classical music is full of legendary names - the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky are celebrated worldwide.
Beyond these giants, though, lies a vast landscape of incredible composers waiting to be discovered. If you love the drama of Wagner or the lyricism of Chopin, there’s a lesser-known composer who offers something equally captivating.
Exploring these hidden gems can reveal fresh perspectives, surprising influences, and breathtaking works that deserve just as much recognition. Whether you're a seasoned listener or just beginning your classical journey, these ten underappreciated composers will open new musical doors while echoing the brilliance of the masters you already love.
1. If you love Beethoven, try... Louise Farrenc
Beethoven's stormy intensity and heroic drive helped define the Romantic era. If you enjoy his music, explore Louise Farrenc, a 19th-century French composer whose symphonies and chamber music combine classical structure with emotional depth. Her Third Symphony, in particular, showcases a mastery of orchestration and drama reminiscent of Beethoven's middle period, and her piano works are equally compelling.
2. If you love Mozart, try... Joseph Martin Kraus
Often called the 'Swedish Mozart', Kraus was a contemporary of the great man who wrote operas, symphonies, and chamber music with a similarly elegant and inventive style. His Symphony in C minor is particularly dramatic, foreshadowing the early Romantic spirit. Like Mozart, Kraus combined clarity with expressive flair and had a gift for memorable melodies.
3. If you love Bach, try... Jan Dismas Zelenka
A Baroque composer from Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic), Zelenka was admired in his day for his complex counterpoint and spiritual depth. Fans of Bach will appreciate Zelenka's bold harmonies, intricate fugues, and rhythmic vitality. His sacred music, such as the Missa Votiva, brims with passion and intellect, offering a fresh yet familiar take on the Baroque idiom.
4. If you love Brahms, try... Hans Rott
Brahms's lush harmonies and structural rigour inspired many composers, including Hans Rott, a composer whose Symphony in E major profoundly influenced Gustav Mahler. Though Rott died young, his music bursts with Romantic fervour, thematic development, and a sense of grandeur that echoes Brahms while hinting at the emotional expansiveness of Mahler.
5. If you love Debussy, try... Lili Boulanger
Debussy's impressionistic sound world finds a kindred spirit in Lili Boulanger, the first woman to win the Prix de Rome. Her music, including 'D'un matin de printemps' and 'Pie Jesu', offers shimmering textures, refined harmonies, and a deeply lyrical sensibility. Boulanger blends French elegance with emotional poignancy, akin to Debussy's dreamlike atmospheres.
6. If you love Tchaikovsky, try... Vasily Kalinnikov
Tchaikovsky's sweeping melodies and lush orchestrations are mirrored in the symphonies of his fellow Russian composer Vassily Kalinnikov, whose Symphony No. 1 is a treasure of Russian Romanticism. Kalinnikov infuses his music with folk music-inspired themes, heartfelt lyricism, and dramatic contrasts. His melodic gift and orchestral colour make him a natural companion to Tchaikovsky's emotionally charged works.
7. If you love Mahler, try... Alexander Zemlinsky
Zemlinsky, a contemporary and sometimes rival of Mahler, crafted music of emotional depth, sophisticated orchestration, and psychological complexity. His Lyric Symphony parallels Mahler's song-symphonies with its blend of voice and orchestra. Zemlinsky's works often explore themes of longing and identity, using rich harmonies and dynamic textures that Mahler fans will admire.
8. If you love Schubert, try... Fanny Mendelssohn
Yes, she was Felix Mendelssohn’s sister. But Fanny Mendelssohn was also an extremely gifted composer in her own right. Her lieder and piano pieces carry the intimacy, melodic charm, and emotional nuance that Schubert lovers cherish. Her Piano Trio in D minor reveals her command of form and lyricism, bridging Classical poise with Romantic expressiveness.
9. If you love Stravinsky, try... Nikolai Roslavets
While Stravinsky reinvented rhythm and harmony in early 20th-century music, his fellow Russian Nikolai Roslavets was pioneering a personal, expressionist idiom in Soviet Russia. His chamber works and piano pieces feature bold dissonances, complex textures, and an adventurous spirit. Though suppressed in his time, Roslavets's modernist voice offers a striking parallel to Stravinsky’s innovations.
10. If you love Dvořák, try... Vítězslav Novák
A student of Dvořák, Vítězslav Novák carried Czech nationalism into the early 20th century with vibrant tone poems and orchestral suites. Works like 'In the Tatra Mountains' and 'Eternal Longing' showcase a love of landscape and folk melody. Novák’s lush orchestration and evocative style will appeal to fans of Dvořák's lyrical and colourful music.
11. If you love Chopin, try... Felix Blumenfeld
If you love Chopin’s lyrical piano works, try Felix Blumenfeld. A Russian composer and virtuoso pianist, Blumenfeld crafted deeply expressive, poetic piano music infused with Romantic warmth. His Étude for the Left Hand, Op. 36, showcases both technical brilliance and delicate emotion, much like Chopin’s études. His pieces balance shimmering melodies with rich harmonies, making him an underrated gem for those who adore Chopin’s heartfelt, pianistic elegance.
12. If you love Wagner, try.. Franz Schreker
If you admire Wagner’s grand operatic style, try Franz Schreker. A master of lush orchestration and sweeping drama, Schreker’s operas, like Der ferne Klang and Die Gezeichneten, evoke Wagnerian richness while adding shimmering impressionistic colours. His music is filled with emotional intensity, intricate leitmotifs, and an almost dreamlike atmosphere, making him a fascinating, lesser-known choice for those who love Wagner’s epic storytelling and orchestral grandeur.
