Composer

A composer is defined by the Meriam-Webster online dictionary as "a person who writes music". More specifically, a composer writes the music to be preformed by the musician. Though a composer can refer to anyone who writes music, the term is more commonly associated with European classical music, then the pop culture music genre of today (a person who writes music of this genre would be called a "songwriter" as opposed to a composer). A person who writes songs for movies, plays, etc. is reffered to as a composer today. Also there is an imerging genre of modern instumental music known as New Age that is written by composers.

Famous composers of old Europe include Ludwig Van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, George Frideric Handel and Frédéric Chopin. Two modern day composers are John Williams and New Age composer Yanni.

Composers are more interested in the actual music than fame or fotune, as opposed to many modern day musicians. This quote by Ludvig Van Beethoven shows the respect that composers in general have for the music they write:

Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend. -- Ludwig van Beethoven, quoted by Bettina von Arnin, letter to Goethe, 1810

Resources

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http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/composer