21 Greatest Jewish Composers Who Changed Music History

Jewish composers have made remarkable contributions to the world of music, leaving an indelible mark on both classical and contemporary genres. From the innovative techniques of Arnold Schoenberg to the iconic melodies of George Gershwin, these composers have shaped the musical landscape with their creativity, resilience, and profound cultural influences.

Spanning a wide range of styles and eras, the greatest Jewish composers have not only enriched the world of music but have also reflected the diverse experiences of the Jewish people through their works.

This article explores the lives and legacies of these influential figures, highlighting their contributions and lasting impact on global music history.

21 Greatest Jewish Composers Who Shaped Today’s Music

These composers have left a profound impact on music across different genres and periods, blending their cultural heritage with their musical innovations to create timeless works.

Here’s a list of 21 of the greatest Jewish composers who have made significant contributions to classical and contemporary music:

#1 George Gershwin

George Gershwin was a groundbreaking American composer and pianist, best known for his ability to blend classical music with jazz and popular styles. Born in 1898 in Brooklyn, New York, to Russian-Jewish immigrants, Gershwin began his career as a songwriter on Tin Pan Alley. His early success came with songs like “Swanee” and “Rhapsody in Blue,” a piece that remains one of his most famous works and epitomizes the fusion of classical and jazz elements.

Gershwin’s career was marked by his versatility, composing everything from Broadway musicals like Porgy and Bess to classical compositions like the Concerto in F and An American in Paris. His work had a significant influence on American music, and his compositions continue to be performed and celebrated worldwide. Despite his untimely death at the age of 38, Gershwin’s contributions to music have left an indelible mark on both the classical and popular music landscapes.

#2 Leonard Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein was an American composer, conductor, and pianist, widely regarded as one of the most significant musical figures of the 20th century. Born in 1918 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to Ukrainian-Jewish parents, Bernstein achieved international fame both as a conductor and a composer. His most famous work is West Side Story, a groundbreaking musical that blends classical music, jazz, and Latin rhythms.

Bernstein’s career also included notable symphonies, operas, and ballets, as well as his work as the longtime music director of the New York Philharmonic. He was a passionate educator, bringing classical music to wider audiences through his Young People’s Concerts and other television programs. Bernstein’s ability to bridge the worlds of classical and popular music, combined with his charismatic presence, made him a cultural icon whose influence extends far beyond his own compositions.

#3 Gustav Mahler

Gustav Mahler was a late-Romantic Austrian composer and conductor, known for his symphonies and vocal works that have become cornerstones of the orchestral repertoire. Born in 1860 in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) to Jewish parents, Mahler converted to Catholicism later in life, but his Jewish heritage influenced much of his work. As a composer, Mahler’s music is characterized by its emotional intensity, complex orchestration, and the use of folk elements, reflecting both his personal struggles and broader existential themes.

His symphonies, particularly the Symphony No. 2 (Resurrection) and Symphony No. 8 (Symphony of a Thousand), are among his most celebrated works. In addition to his compositional achievements, Mahler was also one of the leading conductors of his time, serving as the director of the Vienna Court Opera and later the New York Philharmonic. Despite facing antisemitism and professional challenges, Mahler’s work has had a profound and lasting impact on the world of classical music.

#4 Arnold Schoenberg

Arnold Schoenberg was an Austrian-American composer and one of the most influential figures in 20th-century music, known for developing the twelve-tone technique. Born in 1874 in Vienna to a Jewish family, Schoenberg’s early works were rooted in the Romantic tradition, but he soon began to explore more radical approaches to composition. His invention of the twelve-tone method, which involves the systematic ordering of all twelve notes of the chromatic scale, revolutionized modern music and laid the foundation for serialism.

Schoenberg’s compositions, such as Pierrot Lunaire and Verklärte Nacht, showcase his innovative approach to harmony and structure. In addition to his work as a composer, Schoenberg was a significant teacher, influencing a generation of composers, including Alban Berg and Anton Webern. After fleeing the rise of Nazism in Europe, Schoenberg emigrated to the United States, where he continued to compose, teach, and expand his influence on the global music scene. His contributions to music theory and composition have made him a pivotal figure in the history of modern music.

#5 Felix Mendelssohn

Felix Mendelssohn was a German composer, pianist, and conductor, one of the leading figures of the early Romantic period. Born in 1809 in Hamburg to a prominent Jewish family, Mendelssohn was baptized as a Christian at a young age, though his Jewish heritage remained an important aspect of his identity. Mendelssohn was a child prodigy, composing his first symphony at age 15 and quickly gaining fame for his compositions and performances.

His music is known for its lyrical beauty, clarity, and emotional depth, with notable works including the Violin Concerto in E minor, the Hebrides Overture, and the oratorio Elijah. Mendelssohn also played a key role in the revival of Johann Sebastian Bach’s music, particularly with his 1829 performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. Despite his short life—he died at the age of 38—Mendelssohn’s work had a lasting impact on the Romantic era and continues to be celebrated in concert halls worldwide.

#6 Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin was one of America’s greatest songwriters, whose contributions to popular music have left a lasting legacy. Born in 1888 in Imperial Russia, Berlin emigrated to the United States with his family to escape persecution, eventually settling in New York City. Despite having no formal musical training, Berlin became a prolific composer and lyricist, writing more than 1,500 songs over his career. His works include iconic songs like “White Christmas,” “God Bless America,” and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.”

Berlin’s music captured the spirit of America, with songs that became anthems during times of war and peace. His ability to write across a wide range of styles, from ballads to patriotic songs, made him a central figure in American music. Berlin’s influence extends beyond his own compositions, as his work helped shape the development of American popular music throughout the 20th century.

#7 Aaron Copland

Aaron Copland, often referred to as the “Dean of American Composers,” played a pivotal role in shaping a distinctly American style of classical music in the 20th century. Born in 1900 in Brooklyn, New York, to Lithuanian-Jewish immigrants, Copland studied in Paris with the legendary Nadia Boulanger before returning to the United States to develop his unique musical voice. His compositions are characterized by their clear, open textures, and use of American folk elements.

Works like Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, and Fanfare for the Common Man have become quintessential representations of American music, evoking the spirit and landscape of the country. Copland was also a significant educator, conductor, and advocate for contemporary music, helping to promote the works of younger American composers. His contributions to film music, including the scores for Of Mice and Men and The Heiress, earned him further acclaim. Copland’s ability to blend modernist techniques with accessible, populist themes made him a central figure in American music, and his works continue to be performed widely.

#8 Kurt Weill

Kurt Weill was a German composer known for his innovative works that bridged the worlds of classical music, opera, and popular music. Born in 1900 in Dessau, Germany, to a Jewish family, Weill studied composition in Berlin and became associated with the avant-garde scene of the Weimar Republic. His most famous work, The Threepenny Opera, created in collaboration with playwright Bertolt Brecht, includes the iconic song “Mack the Knife” and remains a staple of 20th-century theater.

Weill’s music is characterized by its satirical edge, social commentary, and integration of jazz and popular music styles. After fleeing Nazi Germany in 1933, Weill emigrated to the United States, where he continued to compose for Broadway, creating successful shows like Lady in the Dark and Street Scene. Weill’s ability to adapt his style to different cultural contexts and his contributions to both European and American music have made him one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.

#9 Dmitri Shostakovich

Dmitri Shostakovich, although primarily associated with his Russian heritage, had Jewish ancestry that deeply influenced his life and work, particularly in response to the anti-Semitism he observed in Soviet society. Born in 1906 in Saint Petersburg, Shostakovich became one of the most significant composers of the 20th century, known for his symphonies, string quartets, and operas that often reflected the turmoil and repression of life under Stalin’s regime.

His music, marked by its emotional depth, complex structures, and often hidden political messages, resonated with audiences both within and outside the Soviet Union. Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 2 and Symphony No. 13 (“Babi Yar”) are notable examples of his use of Jewish themes, which he employed as a form of solidarity with the persecuted. Despite facing censorship and personal danger, Shostakovich’s works continue to be celebrated for their power, originality, and ability to convey profound human experiences.

#10 Philip Glass

Philip Glass is one of the most influential composers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, known for his pioneering work in minimalism. Born in 1937 in Baltimore, Maryland, to a Jewish family, Glass studied at the Juilliard School and later in Paris with Nadia Boulanger. His music is characterized by repetitive structures, gradual harmonic changes, and a distinctive rhythmic drive, which have made his compositions instantly recognizable.

Glass’s works span a wide range of genres, including opera, symphonies, chamber music, and film scores. His operas, such as Einstein on the Beach, Satyagraha, and Akhnaten, have redefined the genre with their innovative approach to narrative and structure. Glass has also composed numerous film scores, including for Koyaanisqatsi and The Hours, earning him critical acclaim and a broader audience. His ability to bridge the worlds of classical music, popular culture, and visual media has made him a central figure in contemporary music, with a lasting impact on composers and musicians around the world.

#11 Erich Wolfgang Korngold

Erich Wolfgang Korngold was an Austrian-born composer and one of the pioneers of film music in Hollywood, as well as a significant figure in late-Romantic classical music. Born in 1897 in Brno, then part of Austria-Hungary, to a Jewish family, Korngold was a child prodigy whose early compositions, such as his opera Die tote Stadt, received international acclaim. His lush, lyrical style and mastery of orchestration made him a prominent composer in Europe before he fled the Nazis and settled in Hollywood in the 1930s.

In Hollywood, Korngold revolutionized film music, composing scores for classic films such as The Adventures of Robin Hood, for which he won an Academy Award. His music was noted for its symphonic complexity and emotional depth, elevating the role of music in cinema. After World War II, Korngold returned to writing concert music, but his film scores continued to influence the genre for decades. Korngold’s ability to blend the worlds of film and classical music has left a lasting legacy in both fields.

#12 Joseph Achron

Joseph Achron was a Russian-born violinist and composer, known for his efforts to integrate Jewish musical themes into classical music. Born in 1886 in Lozdzieje, then part of the Russian Empire, Achron was a child prodigy on the violin, studying in Saint Petersburg and later performing across Europe. His compositions are characterized by their incorporation of traditional Jewish melodies, modes, and motifs, which he skillfully wove into the fabric of classical forms.

Achron’s Hebrew Melody for violin and piano is one of his most famous works, celebrated for its hauntingly beautiful theme. Throughout his career, Achron sought to create a distinctively Jewish art music that could stand alongside the great European classical traditions. In 1925, he emigrated to the United States, where he continued to compose and perform until his death in 1943. Achron’s work remains an important part of the Jewish classical music repertoire, and his efforts to bridge cultural traditions have influenced generations of composers.

#13 Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco was an Italian composer and pianist, widely recognized for his contributions to classical guitar music and film scores. Born in 1895 in Florence, Italy, to a Jewish family, Castelnuovo-Tedesco was a prominent figure in the European classical music scene before fleeing to the United States in 1939 due to the rise of Fascism. His music is known for its lyricism, vivid color, and use of Italian folk elements, with his Guitar Concerto No. 1 and numerous solo guitar pieces being particularly celebrated.

In Hollywood, Castelnuovo-Tedesco became a prolific film composer, writing scores for over 200 films and mentoring a new generation of composers, including John Williams and Henry Mancini. Despite the challenges of exile, he continued to produce a significant body of concert music, including operas, symphonies, and chamber works. Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s ability to navigate both the concert hall and the film studio made him a versatile and influential composer, whose works continue to be performed and appreciated.

#14 Jacques Offenbach

Jacques Offenbach was a German-born French composer and cellist, best known for his operettas, which laid the groundwork for modern musical theater. Born in 1819 in Cologne to a Jewish family, Offenbach moved to Paris, where he became one of the most popular composers of the 19th century. His music is characterized by its wit, charm, and melodic inventiveness, with works like Orpheus in the Underworld, La Belle Hélène, and The Tales of Hoffmann becoming staples of the operatic repertoire.

Offenbach’s operettas, with their satirical and lighthearted nature, were immensely popular in his time and continue to be performed worldwide. He is credited with elevating the operetta to a respected art form, influencing the development of musical theater in the 20th century. Despite facing anti-Semitic prejudice, Offenbach’s music transcended social barriers, and his ability to combine humor with musical sophistication has left a lasting impact on both opera and popular music.

#15 Aram Khachaturian

Aram Khachaturian was an Armenian composer of Jewish descent, renowned for his vibrant and colorful orchestral music that draws heavily on Armenian folk traditions. Born in 1903 in Tiflis, Georgia (then part of the Russian Empire), Khachaturian became one of the leading Soviet composers of the 20th century. His music is characterized by its rhythmic energy, bold orchestration, and incorporation of folk melodies.

Khachaturian’s most famous works include the Sabre Dance from his ballet Gayane, the ballet Spartacus, and his Violin Concerto, all of which showcase his ability to blend traditional Armenian music with Western classical forms. Despite the challenges of working under the Soviet regime, including periods of political repression, Khachaturian remained a prominent figure in Soviet music, contributing to both the concert and film music repertoire. His work continues to be celebrated for its unique fusion of cultural influences and its powerful, evocative soundscapes.

#16 Morton Feldman

Morton Feldman was an American composer and a key figure in the New York School of composers, known for his pioneering work in minimalism and experimental music. Born in 1926 in New York City to a family of Russian-Jewish immigrants, Feldman initially studied under composers such as Wallingford Riegger and Stefan Wolpe before becoming associated with John Cage. Feldman’s music is characterized by its quiet intensity, use of indeterminate processes, and exploration of time and space.

His works often feature long, meditative durations and subtle shifts in texture and dynamics, as seen in pieces like Rothko Chapel and For Philip Guston. Feldman’s approach to composition challenged traditional notions of structure and narrative in music, making him a central figure in the avant-garde movement. His influence extends beyond classical music, impacting contemporary art and culture, and his works continue to be performed by musicians and ensembles dedicated to exploring the boundaries of musical expression.

#17 Leonard Rosenman

Leonard Rosenman was an American composer, best known for his innovative film scores that brought a modernist sensibility to Hollywood. Born in 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family, Rosenman studied composition with Arnold Schoenberg and Roger Sessions, which profoundly influenced his approach to music. His work in film began when actor James Dean introduced him to directors Elia Kazan and Nicholas Ray, leading to his first major scores for East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause.

Rosenman’s film music is noted for its use of atonal techniques and complex orchestration, which set him apart from many of his contemporaries. In addition to his work in film, Rosenman composed concert works, including symphonies and chamber music, and he won two Academy Awards for his film adaptations of Barry Lyndon and Bound for Glory. Rosenman’s ability to blend avant-garde techniques with the demands of film scoring has made him a significant figure in both film and classical music.

#18 Alexander Zemlinsky

Alexander Zemlinsky was an Austrian composer and conductor, known for his richly expressive music that bridged the late-Romantic and early modernist periods. Born in 1871 in Vienna to a family of mixed Jewish and Catholic heritage, Zemlinsky studied at the Vienna Conservatory and became part of the city’s vibrant musical scene. He was a close associate of composers such as Arnold Schoenberg and Gustav Mahler, and his music reflects both the lush harmonies of late Romanticism and the emerging dissonances of early 20th-century modernism. Zemlinsky’s works include operas, symphonies, chamber music, and songs, with his opera Der Zwerg and the Lyric Symphony being particularly notable.

As a conductor, Zemlinsky held significant posts in Prague, Berlin, and Vienna, where he championed both contemporary and classical repertoire. Despite facing challenges due to his Jewish heritage, particularly during the rise of the Nazi regime, Zemlinsky’s music has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with renewed interest in his contributions to the development of modern music.

#19 Max Bruch

Max Bruch was a German Romantic composer, best known for his Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, which remains one of the most popular violin concertos in the repertoire. Born in 1838 in Cologne, Bruch was not Jewish himself, but he composed one of his most famous works, Kol Nidrei, based on traditional Jewish themes. This piece, written for cello and orchestra, is a reflection of Bruch’s interest in different cultural traditions and has become a staple in the Jewish liturgical music repertoire.

Bruch’s music is characterized by its lyrical beauty, rich harmonies, and formal clarity, with his other notable works including the Scottish Fantasy and his symphonies. Despite his success during his lifetime, Bruch’s reputation was somewhat overshadowed by his contemporaries, but his Violin Concerto has ensured his lasting legacy. Bruch’s ability to create music that resonates with deep emotional expression and cultural significance has made him an enduring figure in the classical music canon.

#20 Alma Mahler

Alma Mahler was an Austrian composer and socialite, known for her lieder (art songs) and her influence as a muse to some of the most prominent artists and musicians of her time. Born in 1879 in Vienna to a well-to-do family, Alma was a talented pianist and composer from a young age, studying composition with Alexander Zemlinsky. However, her marriage to Gustav Mahler curtailed her compositional ambitions, as Mahler initially discouraged her from pursuing her own music.

Despite this, Alma continued to compose, producing a small but significant body of work, including lieder that reflect the late-Romantic style. After Gustav Mahler’s death, Alma became romantically involved with several other major cultural figures, including Walter Gropius and Franz Werfel, further cementing her place in the cultural life of early 20th-century Europe. Though her own compositions were relatively few, Alma’s role as a cultural figure and her influence on the works of others have made her an intriguing and complex figure in the history of music.

#21 Giacomo Meyerbeer

Giacomo Meyerbeer was a German-born composer of Jewish descent who became one of the most successful and influential opera composers of the 19th century. Born in 1791 in Tasdorf, Germany, Meyerbeer was a pioneer of the grand opera genre, particularly in France, where his works dominated the opera stage. His operas, such as Les Huguenots, Le Prophète, and Robert le Diable, are characterized by their grandiose scale, dramatic intensity, and elaborate staging, setting new standards for opera production in Europe.

Meyerbeer’s music was celebrated for its melodic richness, orchestral color, and its ability to integrate diverse musical styles. Despite his immense success, Meyerbeer faced significant anti-Semitic prejudice, which impacted his legacy after his death. Nevertheless, his contributions to opera have been increasingly recognized, and his works continue to be performed today, solidifying his place as a key figure in the development of 19th-century opera.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did George Gershwin blend classical music with jazz?

George Gershwin skillfully blended classical music with jazz, creating iconic works like Rhapsody in Blue and Porgy and Bess that combined orchestral elements with jazz rhythms and harmonies. His innovative approach helped bridge the gap between popular and classical music in America.

What role did Arnold Schoenberg play in the development of modern music?

Arnold Schoenberg was a key figure in the development of modern music, pioneering the twelve-tone technique, which became a foundational element of 20th-century composition. His work revolutionized musical composition by abandoning traditional tonal structures.

Why is Leonard Bernstein considered one of the most influential figures in American music?

Leonard Bernstein is celebrated for his contributions as a composer, conductor, and educator, with works like West Side Story showcasing his ability to blend classical and popular music. His role as a conductor and his educational efforts brought classical music to a wider audience.

How did Philip Glass impact contemporary music?

Philip Glass is one of the leading figures in minimalism, known for his repetitive structures and gradual harmonic changes that have influenced contemporary classical music. His works, including operas and film scores, have had a profound impact on both classical and popular music genres.