Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756-1791

2. Childhood Information • Born in Salzburg, Austria • Education: was tutored by his father, who was also a famous musician • Mozart began composing and performing music at the age of 5 • Toured Austria and Italy with father Leopold and sister Nannerl

3. Artist Background-Misc Facts • Befriended Haydn in Vienna • During the height of his childhood popularity he performed 2 concerts per day • Was buried in a mass grave • Was the inspiration for the movie “Amadeus”

4. Body of Work • Composed over 600 works • He wrote for many different performing groups including symphonies, operas, choral works, chamber music and instrumental solos • Is considered by many to be the most influential composer of his time

5. “Kyrie” from Requiem in D minor • A fugue is like a complicated round. • The main theme of a fugue is called the subject. • The development section of a fugue is called an episode. • Does the piece remain in fugue form until the end? No, the voices all come together at the end

6. Requiem Mass • Requiem - a mass typically performed before or during a funeral • Mozart was still working on the work when he died • Was completed by Franz Sussmayr

7. Choral Works • There are four main vocal parts in a chorus • Soprano - highest female voices • Alto - lower female voices • Tenor - highest male voices • Bass - lower male voices