Most Famous Classical Composers in Each State

From coast to coast the United States is home to a rich tapestry of musical heritage, with each state boasting its own unique taste in classical music. In this article, we delve into the fascinating world of classical composers from all over the world, uncovering each state’s most-searched names.

Impactful.news has scraped the data from Google Trends and YouGov.com. YouGov is a national polling site that surveys people from across the US. We combined these survey results with state-specific search interest from the past year to create a comprehensive list of every composer and which states they won out in for popularity.

Whether you’re a fan of classical music or just interested in the listening trends of your own state, this list provides a composer-by-composer overview of the United States.

Most Popular in 17 States: Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist who lived from 1770 to 1827. As one of the most influential composers in Western classical music, Beethoven's works, including his symphonies, piano sonatas and string quartets, pushed all boundaries of musical expression and demonstrated his mastery of form and emotional depth. Ultimately, he left an indelible impact on the world of music and is a monumental figure of history.

Most Popular in 8 States: Giacomo Puccini

Giacomo Puccini was an Italian composer known most widely for his contributions in the world of opera. Born in 1858, he became one of the leading musical geniuses of the late Romantic era and is considered one of the greatest opera composers of all time. Puccini's works, such as "La Bohème," "Tosca," and "Madama Butterfly," are characterized by their lush melodies, dramatic storytelling, and intricate orchestrations, solidifying his enduring legacy in the realm of opera.

Most Popular in 2 States: Franz Schubert

• Connecticut
• Illinois

Franz Schubert was an Austrian composer who lived from 1797 to 1828. He is known for his vast portfolio of musical compositions, including over 600 songs, nine symphonies and countless chamber music works. Schubert's compositions are celebrated for their beautiful melodies, rich harmonies, and expressive depth, establishing him as a key figure in the transition from the Classical to the Romantic era of music.

Most Popular in 2 States: John Williams

• Delaware
• Montana

Known as the father of modern film scores, John Williams has made countless contributions to the world of classical music and movie OSTs. Over his decades-long career, he has composed music for numerous blockbuster films, including the Star Wars series, Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. Williams' works are characterized by their memorable melodies and powerful storytelling orchestrations and have made him one of the most recognized and influential composers in film history.

Most Popular in 2 States: Niccolò Paganini

• Hawaii
• Oregon

Niccolò Paganini was an Italian violinist and composer who lived from 1782 to 1840. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest violin virtuosos of all time and a pioneer in violin technique. Paganini's extraordinary skill and showmanship on the violin, combined with his innovative compositions, left a lasting impact on the world of classical music, pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible on the instrument.

Most Popular in 2 States: Johannes Brahms

• Massachusetts
• Oklahoma

As one of the most important figures of the Romantic era Johannes Brahms has made an undeniable impact on the history of classical music. He was a German composer and pianist who lived from 1833 to 1897. Brahms' compositions, symphonies, concertos, chamber music and choral works are renowned to this day for their intricate craftsmanship, emotional depth and rich harmonic language. These works have established him as a master of musical structure and expression for the ages.

Most Popular in 2 States: Edvard Grieg

• Mississippi
• Wyoming

The Norwegian composer and pianist Edvard Grieg lived from 1843 to 1907. Grieg's work was inspired by traditional Norwegian landscapes and folk melodies recognizable for its lyricism, vibrant harmonies and evocative melodies. His most famous work is the orchestral suite "Peer Gynt" and the piano concerto in A minor. To this day the man is widely regarded as one of the leading Romantic era composers and his name still stands among monumental figures in Scandinavian music.

Most Popular in 2 States: Georges Bizet

• New Hampshire
• New Jersey

Georges Bizet was a French composer who lived from 1838 to 1875. He is best-known for his renowned opera "Carmen" which has become one of the most beloved and frequently performed operas in the world. Bizet's music is characterized by vivid melodies, lush orchestrations and rhythmic vitality, all showcasing his mastery of dramatic artistry and composition-creation. His timeless works have earned him a place among the most remarkable composers of the 19th century.

Most Popular in 2 States: Richard Wagner

• New Mexico
• South Dakota

Richard Wagner was a German composer and conductor who lived from 1813 to 1883. He is one of the most influential figures in Western classical music primarily known for his epic operas, such as "Tristan und Isolde" and "The Ring Cycle." Wagner's music is characterized by its immense emotional intensity, rich orchestration, and use of leitmotifs, establishing him as a revolutionary force in the development of opera and musical drama.

Most Popular in 2 States: Igor Stravinsky

• North Dakota
• South Carolina

The Russian composer and conductor Igor Stravinsky lived from 1882 to 1971. In the music world today, he's widely regarded as one of the most important and influential composers from the 20th century. Stravinsky's compositions spanned various styles and genres from the avant-garde ballet "The Rite of Spring" to neoclassical works like "Pulcinella" and "Symphony of Psalms" all of which showcased his innovative approach to rhythm, harmony and musical structure.

Most Popular in 2 States: Claude Debussy

• Tennessee
• Washington

From the late 19th to the early 20th century, the French composer Claude Debussy created over 140 compositions, transforming the world of classical music forever. Today he is remembered as one of the most prominent figures in Impressionist music, known for an innovative and evocative approach to composition. His most famous orchestral piece "Clair de Lune" and his opera "Pelléas et Mélisande" both highlight subtle harmonies, delicate melodies and imaginative use of timbre. For his time, this break away from traditional tonal structures actually paved the way for modern classical music.

Most Popular in Alaska: George Gershwin

George Gershwin was an American pianist and composer who lived from 1898 to 1937. His work is recognizable for its unique blending of classical elements and jazz. He created an unprecedented American sound that shifted the music world into the future. Gershwin's compositions which include the "Rhapsody in Blue" and the opera "Porgy and Bess," continue to be celebrated for their catchy melodies, rich harmonies and vibrant orchestration. Ultimately, he is one of the greatest composers and genre-benders of the 20th century.

Most Popular in the District of Columbia: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

In his short life span, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart became one of the most remarkable and influential composers of his time. Living in Austria in the late 1700s, his would be an impact felt by every Western composer in the subsequent centuries. Mozart's music is characterized by exceptional craftsmanship, beauty and emotional depth. He was at the forefront of many subgenres, created countless symphonies, operas, concertos and chamber music, and was even sponsored by countesses and prince-archbishops in his day.

Most Popular in Minnesota: Richard Strauss

The German composer and conductor Richard Strauss, who lived from 1864 to 1949, is reognized today for his rich orchestral works, tone poems and many operas. These showcase his mastery of orchestration and harmonic complexity. Strauss' compositions, such as "Also sprach Zarathustra" and "Der Rosenkavalier" exhibit a unique blend of Romantic and modernist elements. His work left an undeniable impact on the development of late Romantic and early 20th-century music.

Most Popular in Missouri: Scott Joplin

Scott Joplin was an African American composer and pianist who lived from 1868 to 1917. He's considered one of the most important figures in the history of ragtime, a revolutionary genre that combined African rhythms with European classical arrangement. Joplin's compositions such as the "Maple Leaf Rag" and "The Entertainer" showcased his superb piano skills and brought ragtime into the limelight. Today he's widely known as the "King of Ragtime."

Most Popular in Nebraska: Vincenzo Bellini

The Italian opera composer Vincenzo Bellini lived from 1801 to 1835 and is widely known today for his elegant melodic writing and expressive vocal lines, especially in the bel canto style. Bellini's operas "Norma" and "La sonnambula" are two examples that showcase his ability to create emotionally compelling music. The musician is doubtlessly one of the leading musical figures of the early Romantic period in Italian opera.

Most Popular in Nevada: Giuseppe Verdi

Giuseppe Verdi was a 19th century Italian composer who today is widely regarded as one of the greatest opera geniuses of all time. His works "La Traviata," "Rigoletto," and "Aida," are internationally recognizable for their powerful drama, memorable melodies and deep emotional pull. Verdi's music played a crucial role in the development of Italian opera and his work continues to be performed and celebrated worldwide for its timeless beauty and profound storytelling.

Most Popular in New York: Josef Strauss

Josef Strauss was an Austrian composer who lived from 1827 to 1870. He was part of the famous Strauss musical dynasty which included his brothers Johann Strauss II and Eduard Strauss. Josef Strauss' compositions, including waltzes, polkas and marches, are characterized by their lively and joyful melodies, making him a beloved figure in the Viennese music scene of the 19th century.

Most Popular in Texas: William Schuman

William Schuman was an American arts administrator and classical composer who lived from 1910 to 1992. He's recognizable for his distinctively American style and blending elements of neoclassicism and modernism. Schuman's compositions, such as his Symphony No. 3 and his Pulitzer Prize-winning work "A Free Song" exhibit his mastery of orchestration, rhythmic energy and rich harmonies. These works solidify his status as one of the leading American composers of the 20th century.

Most Popular in Vermont: Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician who lived from 1685 to 1750. He is considered one of the greatest composers in Western classical music history. Bach's compositions spanned various genres, including choral music, organ works, concertos, and chamber music, showcasing his technical brilliance, harmonic ingenuity, and profound musical expression, making him a cornerstone of Baroque music.