Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

   On January 27^th, 1756, one of the most talented, influential composers of all time was born. Raised in Salzburg, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the son of a famous violinist so he employed himself in music early on in life. His works are still popular 220 years after his death. His music is known to be pure, mellifluous, passionate, and mathematically perfect. He had great influence on Western music and some of the famous composers of his time. A prodigy from birth, Mozart wrote music  all of his life and it is stilled used in the contemporary music scene. Over his life he wrote more than 600 pieces of music. His connection with music can be categorized into three groups-his introduction to music, his beginning career in music, and his last compositions. 

Introduction to music

                Mozart was born to a passionate musician who intended his children to be musicians as well.  Mozart's father Leopold is often represented as a harsh teacher and father, but one sympathizing writer describes him to be protective and concerned for his children's livelihood.   Regardless, he was an effective teacher and he taught his children well.  When Mozart was 3 years-old, his father began teaching his 7 year-old sister Marie Anna (nicknamed Nannerl) the piano. Mozart enjoyed watching her lessons and eventually tried to copy his sisters songs. He plunked out notes on the piano and soon out grew his sister’s music abilities. As time went on, he progressively became more and more talented. At age 4 he could learn a piece of music in half of an hour, at 5 he was extraordinary on the piano, and when he turned 6, he began composing. Mozart amazed his father and his father’s friends with his aptitude. At first, Leopold helped Mozart compose, but Mozart quickly began to write his own music. Once he turned 7, Mozart and his family began touring all over Europe. With the father being a notable violinist and Wolfgang and Nannerl excellent pianists, the Mozart's were a family of talented musicians. They traveled all around and performed for various courts. During all of his years traveling, Mozart was introduced to many diverse musicians, and his own style began to develop.

Beginning Music Career

                Mozart continued traveling around Europe until he was 23 years-old. His
mother passed away and he decided to settle down so he got a job as court organist
in Salzburg. He didn't like being tied down in the court and was informally
dismissed in 1781, beginning a free-lance career that was unheard of at that time.  He went back to traveling and performing for a bit, composing masterpieces all the while. He eventually moved to Vienna, and became a regular performer in the Viennese court. Despite his career style, he made a considerably high living for a musician. He surprised people with his diverse way of composing. It didn't matter to him what people thought of his music, he composed because he loved music. "I pay
no attention whatsoever to any body's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings," he stated. During his time, concertos were not very popular, but Mozart composed them anyway and they soon became well-liked. He was a multi talented composer, and he employed all of his talents. Mozart also wouldn't conform to one type of style. He wrote sonatas, operas, concertos, string quartets, and symphonies, all of which were brilliant. Mozart was very passionate about his music and he expected undivided attention form the court while presenting. He was so vehement on their respect that he did not want the audience eating or drinking during his performances.

Last Compositions

                Towards the end of his life, Mozart was often sick. This, of course, did not stop him from composing, but it did prohibit frequent performances. Along with being sick, Mozart made many unwise decisions with his money. He was extravagant, and regularly exceeded his income. He wrote to his friends over and over describing his wife, their two children, and himself to be in "desperate circumstances." His kidney failure was slowly getting the better of him. Shortly before his death, Mozart composed one of his most famous pieces, the Magic Flute. It was so popular that he started to become financially stable again. The success of the opera uplifted Mozart in both confidence and health. Mozart was very passionate about his music so a new composition always lifted his spirits. He was so fervent about his music that he didn't want people eating or drinking during his performances! It is not to be thought that he was pretentious though. He once said "to speak well and eloquently is a very great art. To know when to stop is an equally great one." Mozart was down-to-earth even through his sickness. Unfortunately, his illness ended his life on December 5th, 1791. Although that day marked his death, he lives on through his breath-taking music.