Read "The Ultimate Quotable Einstein" by Albert Einstein online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Bach, Mozart, and some old Italian and English composers were Einstein's favorites; also Schubert, because of the composer's ability to express emotion. He was considerably less fond of Beethoven, regarding his music as too dramatic and personal.
Handel, he felt, was technically good but displayed shallowness. Schumann's shorter works were appealing because they were original and rich in feeling. Mendelssohn demonstrated considerable talent but lacked depth. Einstein liked some lieder and chamber music by Brahms. He found Wagner's musical personality indescribably offensive "so that for the most part I can listen to him only with disgust."