Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

1756-1791
Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria on Jan 27, 1756. His father Leopold Mozart
worked as a violinist in the court orchestra of the Archbishop of Salzburg, Leopold had
published a book on violin playing and was appointed court and chamber composer.
The Mozart’s had seven children but only Nanneral (Maria Ann) and Amadeus survived,
Sine might think Leopold exploited his children’s talent. He did recognize Amadeus’
talent at a very early age as he composed and played as soon as he was able to. Leopold
decided to launch Nanneral(11 years) and Mozart ( 6 years) on a concert tour to Munich
where they played for the Elector of Bavaria- to Vienna where they were received at
the Palace by Empress Maria Theresa. She was so impressed that she gave them a set of
court clothes.
In June of 1763 the whole family set out for Paris and London. They played at
Versailles then on to London where they played for George III and Queen Charlotte who
both loved music. He even accompanied the Queen when she asng. The lived in a small
cottage and Mozart composed some of his first symphonies in the style of Bach.
Unhappy, the family returned to Salzburg.
He made other trips to Paris, Holland, and Rome where he heard the famous
Sistine Choir sing the famous Miserere and was later knighted by the pop.
Mozart was not happy with court life, being denied advancements, appreciation
and his own temper put him out of favour. He left and went to Vienne (1781 when he was
25).It seemed Mozart was more appreciated and rewarded as a child prodigy than as the
adult he was now becoming.
The Vienne years produced his German opera, “The Abduction of Seraglio,” he
played many concerts, taught lessons and played for the notability. Against his father’s
will, he married Constanze Weber. During these years, Mozart became close friends with
Haydn who is reported to have said to his father: “Your son is the greatest composer I
know, either personally or by reputation; he has taste and beyond that the most
consummate knowledge of the art of composition”
1786 was a successful year with his new opera “The Marriage of Figans” – Vienna
loved it. Also Don Giovanni was commissioned by the Opera House at Prague - it was a
great success at Prague but coolly received in Vienna (especially by Emperor Joseph
III). As a result, his popularity began to dwindle in Vienna, the elite snubbed his
concerts, the publishers wanted easier and more appealing music, and he lost many
pupils.
It was this time that he produced the opera, the Magic Flute - it was well
received by the Viennese. Soon he began to write his last compositions - The Requiem
thought to be for a stranger, but Mozart felt it was for him. He died just before it was
completed.
 Mozart’s Contributions

Mozart was among the most versatile of the great composers – his masterpieces
represent all the forms of his time
Symphonies Concertos
String Quartettes Songs
Opera Masses
Keyboard Music Other instrumental forms
All of his music sings, even his instrumental melodies seem to grow out of the
human voices. His works convey a feeling of ease grace and spontaneity along with
balance, restraint and perfect proportions.
Mozart said, “Music must never offend the ear, but must please the hearer, or in
other words must never cease to be music.”

Mozart composed quickly and easily – for example he composed his last 3
symphonies in just 6 weeks.

He raised the classical concerto to the highest level 0 writing over 20 piano
concertos mostly for his own performances. But he also wrote concertos for violin, horn,
flute, clarinet, and bassoon. In his concerto writing, he displays sensitivity to woodwind
tone colours that is unmatched be other composers. He is chiefly responsible for
developing the form. Mozart was a master composer of opera. He was a natural at
coordinating music to characters and stage action. Most operas are comedies, composed
to librettos in German and Italian.
The Italian opera librettos were written by
Lorenzo da Ponte – The Marriage of Figaro 1786
- Don Giovanni 1787
- Cosi Fan Tutte 1790
His famous German Opera is The Magic Flute 1791. It embraces folk songs, fugue,
comedy and hymns.
In his operas, the characters are humans, even in his ensembles a character may
feel differently by end of the music. “Emotions in Mozart’s arias and ensembles are not
static, but always changing
Mozart wrote 41 symphonies. These symphonies spanned his coarrer with a wealth
of imagination and emotions. He gave names to some such as
The Haffner
The Linz – 1782 named after the city he visited
 The Jupiter – this symphony hints at the grand romantic symphonies of
Beethoven.

His Keyboard works for Organ and piano have provided much valuable teaching
music for students – Piano Sonatas 17

He loved the String Quartet and he continued in Haydn’s style of equal

instrumental lines. Actually he dedicated six of them to his friend Haydn.

Mozart’s lasting memorial in the 600 or more compositions with their fresh and
alive music that has lasted over 200 years

Operas (26) Idomeneo

Marriage of Figars
Magic Flute
Don Giovanni
Cosi fan Tutte

Vocal Music 55 concert arias (for Voice and orchestras)

30 songs (for voice and piano)
15 songs for more than on voice

Sacred Music 17 Masses

1 Requiem
Vespers
Litanies
Motets

Symphonies - The Paris The Prague

The Haffner Jupiter
He Linz

Serenades – 21 for mixed wind and strings

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Dance Music for Orchestra - 103 minuets
- 56 German Dances
- 36 country Dances
Concertos – Piano 23 (1) bassoon (2) flutes (1) oboe
Violin 5

Chamber music - 4 Flute quartet’s 26 String quartettes

1 Oboe quartet etc. etc.
1 Horn quintet

Solo Piano – 18 Sonatas

5 Sonatas for piano duet
16 sets of variations
40 miscellaneous pianos

Mozart’s Association With:

Places Paris Vienna Rome

Prague Salzburg London
Linz Munich Amsterdam

People Leopold Mozart

Archbishop of Salzburg
Empress Maria Theresa
Maria Antoinette
George III, Charlotte
Haydn
Constanze Mozart
Emperor Joseph II