Which classical composers most influenced The Beatles?

None of The Beatles had a background in classical music. Paul McCartney's (jazz musician) father would turn the radio off if a classical record came on. It was similar in the other homes where George Formby far outranked Beethoven in the musical pantheon  

George did, however, learn one classical 'party-piece' in his early teens, which he then taught to Paul. Neither boy the title but they had the vague idea that it was by Bach. They would later learn that it was Bourrée from the E Minor Lute Suite.

Paul also discovered that they had been playing the piece inaccurately. This ultimately proved to be a happy accident. McCartney's variation on the Bourrée would be the starting point for one of his most admired songs.

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