Meet five of the most influential composers in classical music history as Rick Steves and pianist Julie Spangler explore the people, places, and ideas behind some of history's greatest music. Learn what made each composer unique, hear examples of their musical styles, and discover how their work continues to influence the music we hear today.

This video is part of Symphony in a Suitcase, a free classroom curriculum from Rick Steves, CET Public Television, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra exploring music, history, and culture across Europe. Find the full curriculum, classroom activities, and more videos at https://www.ricksteves.com/symphony. Visit https://www.cetconnect.org/education for more free classroom resources from CET's education team.