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Quote:. Albert Einstein once said that while Beethoven created his music, Mozart 's "was so pure that it seemed to have been ever-present in the universe, waiting to be discovered by the master." THE END. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
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Quote: • Albert Einstein once said that while Beethoven created his music, Mozart's "was so pure that it seemed to have been ever-present in the universe, waiting to be discovered by the master." THE END
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart • A central figure of the Viennese classical school, considered the greatest musical genius of all time. • Mozart’s career broke the mold of the old patronage system. He became part of the new system where composers would enjoy more freedoms and a higher standard of living. • Mozart hoped to make a living from giving concerts. However, to make money, he sold compositions and taught
A Child Prodigy • Born Jan. 27, 1756, in Salzburg, Austria, the son of Leopold Mozart, composer to the archbishop and a well-known violinist and author of a celebrated theoretical treatise a. Composed his first musical piece at age 5. b. From 1762, at 7 years of age, Wolfgang and his older sister, Maria Anna (called Nannerl) toured throughout Europe performing as harpsichordists and pianists--both separately and together. c. Wolfgang, a child prodigy also performed as a violinist and organist and received numerous commissions. d. First published works were 4 violin sonatas, composed in Paris in 1764
1756-1791 • In 1773 Mozart became the honorary concertmaster for the archbishop. • In 1773 he came under the influence of Joseph Haydn (1732-1809). • In 1774 a new archbishop had been installed which ended a cordial relationship between employer and employee.
By the Time Mozart Was 21: • By 1777: a. Things were so strained that Mozart asked to be relieved of his duties. b. Mother died in Paris while on a trip with him through Munich, Mannheim and Paris. c. Wrote 7 violin sonatas, 7 piano sonatas, a ballet, and 3 symphonies works as a result of this trip.
In 1781, the final break between Mozart and the archbishop came when Mozart was being treated like and ate with the servants. • This was also the year of his first successful opera (Idomeneo). At 25 years of age, he now had no patron and was completely on his own. It took 6 years to find a position as a composer, and then it was for Emperor Joseph II for a greatly reduced salary.
The Prodigy: 26 and counting • In 1782 he married Constanze Weber, the daughter of friends. a. He increasingly became poorer and poorer, but his compositions were great critical successes. b. Had 2 children (Carl and Franz Xavier) who lived out of 7 births.
Mozart’s Demise • Mozart was unable to complete his final work, the ‘Requiem’, because of illness. His favorite student, Franz Xavier Sussmayr, completed the Requiem. • He died in Vienna on Dec. 5 1791 of advanced kidney disease at 1:00 a.m. • In 1862 Ludwig von Kochel published his list of catalogued work by Mozart. Each work has a “K” number.
IMPORTANT WORKS (626 known published works) • 41 symphonies • 19 operas (The best known is The Magic Flute) • 27 piano sonatas • 5 violin concerti • 25 string quartets • 19 masses