Pietro Alessandro Gaspare Scarlatti was an Italian composer from the Baroque period. He mainly acquired fame through his oratorios, cantatas and (Neapolitan) operas. He was the father of Domenico, who followed his father's example and became a composer himself.

In total, Scarlatti composed 38 oratorios, along with many masses and operas. His music has a spontaneous and unpredictable character, and at times a bit incoherent. Scarlatti had a great influence on the music of Georg Frideric Handel. Around 1708, the two composers met almost daily.

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He enriched established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include the Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations, the Mass in B minor, two Passions, and hundreds of cantatas. His music is revered for its technical command, artistic beauty, and intellectual depth.

Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognised as a great composer until a revival of interest in and performances of his music in the first half of the 19th century. He is now generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.