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Mozart was a child prodigy, and started composing pieces at age 5. He composed many pieces, like symphonies and concertos, for different types of instruments, and performed in royal courts. He composed more than 600 pieces. For me, it is amazing and inspiring to play Mozart's pieces, because I just can't believe I'm playing something that was made so long ago.
Beethoven was the composer of the notable piece "Moonlight Sonata". He was the first composer to combine vocal and instrumental music, and his work raised instrumental music to a "high art" status. He also wrote Symphony No. 9 (Ode to Joy). He composed some of his famous pieces while he was almost deaf.
Chopin was a child prodigy for composing and playing piano music. Britannica.com says, "Chopin’s works for solo piano include about 61 mazurkas, 16 polonaises, 26 preludes, 27 études, 21 nocturnes, 20 waltzes, 3 sonatas, 4 ballades, 4 scherzos, 4 impromptus, and many individual pieces..." That's a lot of pieces!
Liszt began to compose at age eight, and performed publicly at 8/9.He transcribed the works of other composers to the piano and popularized other composers' music. Many of his students became famous, too. He is described as the "greatest piano virtuoso of all time"(Searle 2020).