Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over six hundred works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music. He is among the most enduringly popular of classical composers.Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood in Salzburg. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty; at seventeen he was engaged as a court musician in Salzburg, but grew restless and traveled in search of a better position, always composing abundantly. Visiting Vienna in 1781 he was dismissed from his Salzburg position and chose to stay in the capital, where over the rest of life he achieved fame but little financial security. The final years in Vienna yielded many of his best-known symphonies, concertos, and operas, and the Requiem. The circumstances of his early death have been much mythologized. He was survived by his wife Constanze and two sons.Mozart always learned voraciously from others, and developed a brilliance and maturity of style that encompassed the light and graceful along with the dark and passionate—the whole informed by a vision of humanity "redeemed through art, forgiven, and reconciled with nature and the absolute". His influence on all subsequent Western art music is profound. Beethoven wrote his own early compositions in the shadow of Mozart, of whom Joseph Haydn wrote that "posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years".
Born at 8:00pm-LMT
Son of well-known violin teacher and occasional composer Leopold Mozart
In Salzburg, Austria, his birthplace, there is a Mozart museum, and the Salzburg Festival, held every year, is largely devoted to his music. Many shops and streets in Salzburg are named after him as well.
Wrote "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (a little night music) in one day.
Had a photographic memory, and could play an entire piece of music after hearing it only once.
Reports of his writing music without revisions were proven right. Sheet music in his hand exist that have no corrections or re-inclusions.
Often worked as a musical tutor.
Was so taken by the sound created by the "Glass Harmonica", a musical instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin, that he composed several pieces of music for it.
Children: Raimund Leopold (June 17 - August 19, 1783); Karl Thomas (September 21, 1784 - October 31, 1858); Johann Thomas Leopold (October 18 - November 15, 1786); Theresia Constanzia Adelheid Friedericke Maria Anna (December 27, 1787 - June 29, 1788); Anna Maria (b/d December 25, 1789); Franz Xaver Wolfgang (July 26, 1791 - July 29, 1844). Neither Karl or Franz married or had children.
Described Constanze in a letter to his father: "She is not ugly, but at the same time, far from beautiful. Her entire beauty consists of two little black eyes and a nice figure. She isnt witty, but has enough common sense to enable her to fulfill her duties of wife and mother... she understands housekeeping and has the kindest heart in the world. I love her and she loves me."
In 1809, Constanze married Danish diplomat Georg Nikolaus von Nissen (1761 - 1826). A Mozart fanatic, he edited vulgar passages out of many of the composers letters, and wrote a Mozart biography.
Son of Leopold Mozart.
Began playing the harpsichord at the age of three.
The philosopher Sren Kierkegaard considered Mozarts opera "Don Giovanni" to be the greatest work of art ever made. He devotes an entire essay in his book "Either/Or" to defending this claim.
Contrary to popular belief, Mozart was not buried in a "mass grave", but in a regular communal grave according to the 1783 laws. The original grave site in St. Marx Cemetary has since been lost, but memorial gravestones have been placed where he is thought to be buried.
He preferred to be known as Wolfgang Amad Mozart. The Latin Amadeus became popular because it is the name his widow used - both in the parish death register and when asking for a pension. A benefit held in Prague in 1791 was billed as "Concert in memory of Wolfgang Gottlieb Mozart
Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart is the Latin version of his baptismal names. The first two are saints names because he was born on the feast of St John Chrysostom. Theophilus, which means lover of god (or loved by god), is the Greek version (after his grandfather. Theophilus in German is Gottlieb, in French it is Amad (which the multilingual Mozart preferred) or in Latin it is Amadeus.
In honor of Mozarts 250th birthday, all the church bells in Salzburg were rung simultaneously at the exact hour of his birth.
Mentioned in the rap-rock song "Mope" by Bloodhound Gang , along with personalities like Luciano Pavarotti , Tupac Shakur , The Notorious B.I.G. , Falco , Tori Spelling , and Bo Jackson.
Contrary to the story perpetuated by "Amadeus" author Peter Shaffer , there is absolutely no proof that Mozart was the victim of a deadly intrigue perpetrated by Antonio Salieri. Mozart disliked Salieri at first, blaming him and the other Italian composers at Emperor Joseph IIs court for his difficulty in establishing himself, even accusing Salieri of trickery. However, contrary to what "Amadeus" insinuates, theres no evidence Salieri blocked Mozart from gaining appointments or staging his work. Whatever acrimony there may have been between them faded by 1785 as Mozart found success. In fact, Salieri and his mistress, Caterina Cavalieri, were Mozarts guests at the premier of "Die Zauberflte".
Composed his first 30 symphonies by the age of 18, and returned to composing in this genre 4 years later in Paris, the city which also happens to be the nickname of his 31st symphony and was very well received at its premier.
Subject of the song "Rock Me, Amadeus" by Falco.
A Freemason. "The Magic Flute" has Masonic imagery.
His wife was the cousin of Carl Maria von Weber. Their fathers were half-brothers.
Spoke 15 languages: German, French, Italian, Spanish, English, Turkish, Russian, Bohemian (Czech), Polish, Dutch, Latin, Ancient Greek, and Biblical Hebrew.
Could play the piano backward while lying on his back along the bench. He could also play the music itself backward from memory, as could Beethoven and Bach.
Was one of the greatest violinists in the world during his prime.
[on his prolific compositions] I write as a sow piddles.
As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our,existence, I have formed during the last few years such close relations,with this best and truest friend of mankind, that his image is not only,no longer terrifying to me, but is indeed very soothing and consoling!,And I thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity of,learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true,happiness.
People are wrong who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you,nobody has devoted so much time and thought to composition as I.
Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.
All I insist on, and nothing else, is that you should show the whole world that you are not afraid. Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak—and speak in such a way that people will remember it.
To talk well and eloquently is a very great art, but that an equally great one is to know the right moment to stop.
It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and diligently studied.
The music is not in the notes,but in the silence between.
When I am . . . . . completely myself, entirely alone. . . or during the night when I cannot sleep, it is on such occasions that my ideas flow best and most abundantly. Whence and how these ideas come I know not nor can I force them.
Melody is the essence of music. I compare a good melodist to a fine racer, and counterpointists to hack post-horses; therefore be advised, let well alone and remember the old Italian proverb: Chi sa più, meno sa—Who knows most, knows least.
You know that I immerse myself in music, so to speak— that I think about it all day long— that I like experimenting— studying— reflecting.
A man of ordinary talent will always be ordinary, whether he travels or not; but a man of superior talent will go to pieces if he remains forever in the same place.
People err who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you, dear friend, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to compositions as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not industriously studied through many times.
Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love love love that is the soul of genius.
I write as a sow piddles.
We live in this world in order always to learn industriously and to enlighten each other by means of discussion and to strive vigorously to promote the progress of science and the fine arts.
I thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness.
Nevertheless the passions, whether violent or not, should never be so expressed as to reach the point of causing disgust; and music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music.
When I am traveling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep; it is on such occasions that ideas flow best and most abundantly.
One must not make oneself cheap here - that is a cardinal point - or else one is done. Whoever is most impertinent has the best chance.
I live in a country where music has very little success, though, exclusive of those who have forsaken us, we have still admirable professors and, more particularly, composers of great solidity, knowledge, and taste.
It is a great consolation for me to remember that the Lord, to whom I had drawn near in humble and child-like faith, has suffered and died for me, and that He will look on me in love and compassion.
How sad it is that these great gentlemen should believe what anyone tells them and do not choose to judge for themselves! But it is always so.
I know nothing new except that Herr Gellert, the Leipzig poet, is dead, and has written no more poetry since his death. .
