Mozart's requiem, Beethoven's late string quartets, ... here's an entire Slate article. http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2011/11/famous_classical_c

Mozart's requiem, Beethoven's late string quartets, ... here's an entire Slate article. http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2011/11/famous_classical_composers_the_last_piece_they_wrote_before_they_died_.html http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2011/11/famous_... I think there are actually very few masters in any age- most of the people whose works we celebrate and enjoy just aren't that brilliant. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with enjoying whatever we enjoy, or that it's trivial or worthwhile to try to spot the timeless master among the many skilled and successful artists. Just that I think you need a different lens.