For me, it depends on the aspect of composing. Pure Skill: Mozart His pieces are immistakably unique, and immediately recognizable. He has an enormous body of work, and has it all. read more
Beethoven was a better composer for the piano Mozart was a better composer for the theatre. Mozart was more refined in his orchestral writing Beethoven was more adventurous but Beethoven’s instrumental writing goes to the extreme of the instrument and sometimes his string writing is very difficult and string players complain about the writing. read more
Mozart was a perfected composer in the true classical style who manages to be entertaining despite the frankly rigid constraints of the musical conventions he was born into. Beethoven managed to convey emotion in music better than anyone had before him, opening the door to the romantic era in music. read more