The Life and Works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

1. The Life and Works ofWolfgang Amadeus Mozart Megan Schlegel Middle School General Music

2. Mozart’s Birth • Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in Salsburg, Austria • He was the son of Leopold and Anna Maria Mozart • Mozart was the second of seven children, but only two survived infancy

3. Mozart’s Early Years • Mozart showed musical gifts at an early age • He began composing at the age of five • He was performing for the Bavarian elector and Austrian empress at age six • The family went on a tour to royal courts in cities like London and Paris in mid-1763

4. Mozart’s Influences • Johann Christian Bach’s musical style was a large influence on Mozart’s early works • Later in his life, Mozart used Joseph Haydn as an inspiration Johann Christian Bach Joseph Haydn

5. Symphonies Concertos Concertante Symphonies Solo Piano Music Chamber Music Instrumental Works Sacred Music Operas Mozart’s Works

6. Mozart’s Symphonies • Childhood Symphonies (1764-1771) • 13 Numbered Symphonies (Nos. 1-13) • There are also a fair amount of unnumbered symphonies from this time • Salsburg-era Symphonies (1771-1781) • 17 Numbered Symphonies (Nos. 14-30) • Sometimes these are subcategorized as “Early” and “Late” symphonies • None were in print during Mozart’s life • Late Symphonies (1781-1791) • 10 Numbered Symphonies (Nos. 31-41) • His final three symphonies (Nos. 39-41) were completed in about three months

7. Mozart’s ConcertosPiano Concertos • Mozart composed twenty-seven piano concertos • Four are solo concertos • Concerto No. 7 is written for three pianos, Concerto No. 10 is written for two pianos • The remaining twenty-one are for piano and orchestra Piano Concerto No. 20

8. Mozart’s ConcertosViolin Concertos • Mozart wrote five violin concertos while in his late teens • His violin concertos are noted for their beautiful melodies and skillful use of the expressive and technical characteristics of the instrument Violin Concerto No. 5

9. Mozart’s ConcertosHorn Concertos • Mozart wrote four concertos for horn • These concertos are a major part of the professional horn players’ repertoire Horn Concerto No. 4

10. Mozart’s ConcertosOther Concertos • Mozart also wrote numerous concertos for other instruments: • Bassoon • Oboe • Clarinet • Flute • Harp

11. A concertante symphony is a musical work that combines the genres of the concerto and symphony Mozart wrote two Concertante Symphonies: Simfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra K. 364 Simfonia Concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, and Bassoon K. 297b Mozart’s Concertante Symphonies

12. Mozart’s Piano Music • Mozart’s piano works include: • Nanneri’s Music Book • 19 Piano Sonatas • 6 Double Piano Sonatas • 4 Fantasies

13. Mozart’s Chamber Music • Mozart wrote numerous chamber music pieces including: • 36 Violin Sonatas • Variations for Violin and Piano • String Duos, Trios, Quartets, and Quintets • Woodwind Chamber Music

14. Mozart’s Instrumental Works • The most notable instrumental work by Mozart is known as Gran Partita and was written for 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 basset horns, 4 hunting horns, 2 bassoons and double bass

15. Mozart’s Sacred Music • Mozart’s sacred music includes 18 Masses • Requiem in D minor is probably the most famous of his works

16. Mozart’s Operas • Mozart wrote twenty operas in his lifetime • The most famous ones include: • The Marriage of Figaro • Don Giovanni • The Magic Flute The Marriage of Figaro

17. Mozart’s Death • Mozart died on December 5, 1791, in Vienna, Austria • He was 35