Skip to content
    skip to navigation

    Classic FM

    Listen

    On Air Now

    Next Level with DanTDM 8pm - 10pm

    Next Level with DanTDM

    Now Playing

    Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Baba Yetu Christopher Tin

    Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Baba Yetu artwork
    • Playlist
    • Schedule
    • Home
    • Radio
    • News
    • Discover Music
    • Composers
    • Artists
    • Win
    • Store
    • Charity
    • Podcasts
    • Events
    • Dating
    • Follow us on:
      Follow Classic FM on Facebook
      Follow Classic FM on Instagram
      Follow Classic FM on Youtube

    Discover Music

    • Discover Music Home
    • Periods & Genres
    • Occasions
    • Mood
    • Instruments
    • Music Theory
    • Music Education
    • Humour
    • Women in Music
    • Lyrics
    • More Classic FM

    You won't believe what these great composers look like now

    We all remember the great composers, but what happened to them after they were famous? You won't believe the transformation...

    1. composers now

      1. Richard Wagner

      We all remember the great Ring Wrangler in his pomp... but would you recognise him today? Photo: Getty

    2. composer graves

      2. Richard Wagner

      Oh. Oh dear.

    3. Tchaikovsky

      3. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

      Emotional and enigmatic, and obviously rocks a pocket watch like no other. How does he look now, though? Picture: Getty

    4. composer graves

      4. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

      Umm... not looking so good these days.

    5. Frederic Chopin

      5. Frederic Chopin

      Who could forget the boyish good looks of Frederic Chopin? Has he managed to keep them?

    6. composer graves

      6. Frederic Chopin

      Err... eek.

    7. composers now

      7. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Wig, frilly shirt, oodles of talent. But what does he look like now? Photo: Getty

    8. composer graves

      8. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Ugh, oh dear. Age has wearied him.

    9. George Frederick Handel

      9. George Frideric Handel

      Handel electrified the London set in his prime thanks in no small part to his en-pointe wig game, but what became of those youthful looks? How does he look now?

    10. composer graves

      10. George Frederic Handel

      Hmm. Not quite the same features as the 18th century.

    11. composers now

      11. Sergei Rachmaninov

      The Russian piano legend was renowned for his classic grumpy demeanour. But when was the last time you saw him? Photo: Getty

    12. composer graves

      12. Sergei Rachmaninov

      Hard to tell if he's still grumpy.

    13. composers now

      13. Jean Sibelius

      The magnificent Fin was always a dapper man in his youth, but what about now? Photo: Getty

    14. composer graves

      14. Jean Sibelius

      Finland's finest... but no longer as dashing.

    15. composers now

      15. Ludwig Van Beethoven

      Grumpy, emotional, complex: Beethoven was also mistaken for a tramp once. How does he look these days? Photo: Getty

    16. composer graves

      16. Ludwig Van Beethoven

      Oh blimey. What happened to those looks?

    17. composers now

      17. Johann Strauss The Elder

      Strauss I was one of the most influential composers of his generation. These days, though... Photo: Getty

    18. composer graves

      18. Johann Strauss The Elder

      Crumbs. Not quite so radiant as he once was.

    Latest humour

    See more Latest humour

    Fake cannonball falls off stage, hits timpani right on cue in ‘Nutcracker’ accident

    Fake cannonball falls off stage, hits timpani right on cue in ‘Nutcracker’ accident

    5 months ago

    Tchaikovsky

    Squirrel falls into chorister’s folder during Good Friday service

    Dive-bombing squirrel falls into chorister’s folder during Good Friday service

    Ages ago

    Videos

    Brass players delight passengers with impromptu ‘The Bare Necessities’ on aeroplane

    Brass players delight passengers with impromptu ‘The Bare Necessities’ on aeroplane

    Ages ago

    Videos

    Steven Spielberg, Bill Clinton and Tina Fey all played in their school orchestras

    11 famous figures you never knew could play a musical instrument

    Ages ago

    Guest conductor, Tim Schultheis, truly came to sleigh at this orchestral concert...

    Audience member conducts ‘Sleigh Ride’, stealing the show in joyful moment

    Ages ago

    Videos

    Latest on Classic FM

    Tony Iommi and Patrick Doyle lead the musical recognitions in the King’s birthday honours.

    Patrick Doyle and Tony Iommi lead musical recognitions in King’s birthday honours

    ‘Disclosure Day’ marks the 30th collaboration between John Williams and Steven Spielberg, in their partnership of over half a century.

    Disclosure Day: Everything you need to know about John Williams’ score

    Williams

    Randy Newman appears on stage for a duet with Taylor Swift at the Hollywood premiere of Toy Story 5.

    Randy Newman plays surprise ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’ at Toy Story 5 premiere

    A new report has revealed the shocking effect Brexit has had on the UK music and creative industries.

    One in four UK musicians has lost all EU work since 2021, says new report

    Leo Woodall plays a piano prodigy-turned-tuner in new film ‘Tuner’, also starring Dustin Hoffman and Havana Rose Liu.

    Does Leo Woodall really play piano in ‘Tuner’?

    Aled Jones to present Classic FM’s flagship mid-morning show.

    Aled Jones to host flagship weekday morning show in new schedule on Classic FM

    The Laver Cup 2026

    The Laver Cup 2026: Players, matches and tickets information

    Events

    A new piece by Ralph Vaughan Williams has been uncovered in a London college archive.

    ‘Rare’ new music by Vaughan Williams discovered in college archive

    Vaughan Williams

    The 2025 winners of the Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards, with hosts Dan Walker and Myleene Klass at Classic FM Live.

    The Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards 2026 with ABRSM: nominate an inspiring teacher!

    Events

    The horrifying moment a conductor knocked a violin worth millions from a violinist's hand.

    Watch the horrifying moment conductor knocks priceless violin out of soloist’s hand

    Back to top

    Also on Classic FM

    • Listen to Global Player
    • Classic FM Breakfast with Dan Walker
    • John Williams
    • Alexander Armstrong on Classic FM
    • Quizzes
    • Leonard Bernstein
    • Mozart
    • Debussy
    • Music theory
    • Instruments
    • Classic FM Live
    • Brahms
    • Vivaldi
    • Bach
    • Tchaikovsky
    • Chopin
    • Andrea Bocelli
    • Florence Price
    • Beethoven
    • Best classical music
    • Classic FM Requests
    • Best pianists
    • Harry Potter music
    • Star Wars soundtrack
    • Composer or pasta
    • Music for Studying
    • Best violinists
    • Classical music tearjerkers
    • Relaxing classical

    Useful Links

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • How To Listen
    • About Classic FM
    • Company Details
    • Cookies
    • Privacy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Advertise
    • Global Careers
    • Smooth Spins Casino
    • Heart Bingo

    Download the app

    Get it on the app store Get it on Google Play

    Follow Us

    Follow Classic FM on Facebook
    Follow Classic FM on Instagram
    Follow Classic FM on Youtube
    © Global 2026
    30 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LA
    Privacy Manager