Movember: classical music's greatest moustaches!

As men up and down the country grow facial hair for charity, we take a look at 20 of classical music's greatest moustaches through the ages for inspiration.

1. 

   1. Edward Elgar (1857–1934)

   A quintessentially British composer with the best moustache in British classical music (closely followed by Karl Jenkins, of course!).

2. 

   2. Giovanni Palestrina (1525-1594)

   Italian Renaissance composer Palestrina is best known for his religious choral works, including more than 100 mass settings.

3. 

   3. Orlando de Lassus (1532-1594)

   Lassus is one of the most famous Renaissance composers, including Palestrina and Victoria.

4. 

   4. William Byrd (1540-1623)

   Renaissance composer Byrd was increasingly involved with Catholicism from around 1570, and this might have even had an effect on his facial hair! Having a large beard was popular in the 16th Century, a time of reaction against Protestant reform.

5. 

   5. Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)

   Monteverdi is often regarded as a revolutionary composer, marking the transition from the Renaissance period to the Baroque period with his forward-thinking uses of harmony. His impressive beard and moustache combination is pretty revolutionary too...

7. 

   6. Johann Strauss I (1804 – 1849)

   Strauss was a pioneer of the waltz in the Romantic period, and father to Johann Strauss II. His most famous music includes the Radetzky March.

8. 

   7. Bedřich Smetana (1824 – 1884)

   An impressive full beard and moustache combination from Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. He composed a great deal of patriotic music, including the wonderful Má vlast.

9. 

   8. Johann Strauss II (1825 – 1899)

   Johann Strauss II, son of Johann Strauss I outdid his father when it came to his moustache-growing credentials, as well as his musical output. His pieces remain popular to this day - among his best works are The Blue Danube, the Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka, the Pizzicato Polka, and Die Fledermaus.

10. 

    9. Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

    Johannes Brahms, famous for his grumpy temper and fantastic symphonies, was also a master of the facial hair. His long beard and scruffy demeanour were often the subject of jokes among his friends.

11. 

    10. Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881)

    Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky's most famous pieces include 'Pictures at an Exhibition', 'Boris Godunov', 'Night on Bald Mountain', but his facial hair is anything but modest!

13. 

    11. Edvard Grieg (1843–1907)

    A proud owner of a handlebar moustache, Grieg is a Norwegian composer responsible for writing the Holberg Suite and Peer Gynt Suites.

14. 

    12. Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)

    Gabriel Fauré was a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher, famous for writing his Pavane, Requiem, Après un rêve, and Clair de lune. What an impressive moustache!

15. 

    13. Englebert Humperdinck (1854 – 1921)

    Not to be confused with the Eurovision Song Contest singer (who also had a moustache!), Englebert Humperdinck was a German composer, best known for this opera 'Hänsel und Gretel'.

16. 

    14. Leoš Janáček (1854–1928)

    Leoš Janáček was inspired by his Czech roots to write a selection of original music, often based on folk tunes. Two of his famous works are Glagolitic Mass andTaras Bulba.

17. 

    15. Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857–1919)

    Without a doubt, the best moustache of them all, Leoncavallo's most famous music includes the aria 'Vesti la giubba' from his opera Pagliacci.

19. 

    16. Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924)

    The great Italian opera composer, responsible for composing amazing works including La bohème, Tosca and Madame Butterfly. A rock star of his time, Puccini was a chain smoker of cigars - we can't help thinking he looks a little like Freddie Mercury...

20. 

    17. Claude Debussy (1862–1918)

    Associated with his gorgeous impressionist music, Debussy's is one of France's finest musical exports. His impressive moustache and goatee beard featured on the 20 Franc bank note in 1993.

21. 

    18. Richard Strauss (1864 – 1949)

    Richard Strauss is known for his operas Der Rosenkavalier and Salome, and his sublime Four Last Songs.

22. 

    19. Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915)

    The Russian composer was influenced by synesthesia, so listening to music conjured different colours in his mind. His beard changed shape throughout his life, but there are very few pictures of him without his moustache!

23. 

    20. Karl Jenkins (1944-)

    In what could be the greatest moustache on a living classical composer, Karl Jenkins boasts a brilliant crop of facial hair. His most famous music includes Adiemus and the Armed Man: A Mass for Peace

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