Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756-1791
Life History
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria on January 27, 1756. When Wolfgang was baptized his full
given name was Johannes
Chrysostomos Wolgangus Theophilus Mozart. Mozart's father,
Leopold, worked for the archbishop at the local cathedral as a
violinist and a church musician. Mozart's mother's name was
Anna Maria Mozart.
Mozart had an older sister named
Maria Anna
(Nannerl, for short). Leopold and Anna Maria had five other children who
died in infancy.
When Mozart was six years old, his father took him and his
sister on their first concert tour. A number of tours followed. During these
tours the Mozart's would play and sing for the aristocracy, nobility and other
important people throughout Europe. Mozart often became sick during the
journeys; once he got scarlet fever, another time typhus, and yet another time
smallpox. Mozart visited many
European cities,
including Paris, during his tour in 1763.
Mozart began composing music just before his fifth birthday. By the time he
was ten years old he had already written nearly 50 compositions. Mozart's teachers included his father Leopold and J. C. Bach, son of Johann Sebastian
Bach. J. C. Bach helped Mozart with his first three symphonies. They were
composed while Mozart was in
London. Between the ages of thirteen and seventeen
Mozart made three tours to Italy. In Mozart's time it was very important for a
new composer to be successful in at least one Italian city.
Mozart's success as a "boy-wonder" faded as he became older.
People
just weren't as interested in Mozart the composer. Things began to get worse for
Mozart. His mother died while he was on tour in Paris. Soon afterwards Mozart
learned that the girl he wanted to marry chose someone else. Mozart
also had trouble getting along with his bosses so he lost a number of his jobs.
Mozart also had some good luck in his life. A number of his operas were instant
hits. Although he was sometimes short of work, other times he had more work that
he could finish. Mozart liked to entertain his musician friends. Beethoven and
Haydn came to call on Mozart. Mozart married his first love's sister. Her name
was Constanza. She was a loyal and loving partner for Mozart.
Mozart's last ten years were filled with his best compositions. Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart died on December 5, 1791 having written over 600 compositions.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was 35 years old when he died.
After
his death, Mozart's wife Constanza contacted a publisher so Wolfgang's music
could be printed and sold. She also organized many concerts which featured her late
husband's compositions. Her work helped many people learn and hear Mozart's
wonderful music.
2006 marks the
250 anniversary of Mozart's birth. Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in
Salzburg Austria.
You can use the links below to learn more about Mozart's
interesting life and to hear some of his inspiring music.
Biographies
of Mozart
Biography 1
Biography 2
Biography 3
Biography 4
Biography
5 (French)
Biography
6
Biography 7
Biography 8
Biography 9
Biography
10
Biography 11 (opera)
Biography 12
Biography 13
