Spotlight: Simply Mozart
Posted December 25th, 2008 by adminWolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a highly regarded composer of music during the Classical era…and that is simplifying his contributions greatly. With over 600 compositions, Mozart is one of the most enduring and popular composers ever, and many of his works are still played worldwide today.
Baptized Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, he was born on January 27, 1756 in Salzberg. He generally went by the name “Wolfange Almadé Mozart” in his adult life, with many variations. He was introduced to music by his father, Leopold, and by the age of five, Mozart was himself composing little pieces that he played to his father. His father would write these down, and eventually gave up his own composing of music when he realized the genius he had in his son. Leopold was Mozart’s only teacher in his early years, and also taught his children (Mozart and his sister, Maria Anna) other subjects.
Mozart’s father began to take the children traveling, showcasing them as child prodigies. During a trip to Vienna in 1767, Mozart contracted small pox and his father refused to have him inoculated, saying that it was “God’s will” whether he survived or not. During these trips to Italy, Mozart composed the first of many operas, “Mitridate Rè di Ponto,” which led to other opera commissions: “Ascanio in Alba,” and “Lucio Silla.” During the time in Italy, Mozart heard and wrote out, in its entirety, Gregorio Allegri’s “Miserere.” This was the first reproduced copy of the work, as it was closely guarded by the Vatican and illegal to copy.
In 1773, Mozart was employed as a court musician by Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo, the ruler of Salzburg. He was unhappy with the position, even though he was considered one of the favorite sons of Salzburg. The pay was low and Mozart wanted to compose operas. He was fired from this position after he balked at the Archbishop’s treatment of him, and after he was forbidden to play for Emperor Joseph II. Mozart then moved to Vienna with his new wife, Constanze Weber.
It was in Vienna that Mozart composed two of his best known works: “The Marriage of Figaro,” and ”Don Giovanni.” He was at the height of his career, and often lent an ear to upcoming talent, such as Ludwig van Beethoven. In 1791, Mozart became very ill with fever. It isn’t known exactly what caused his illness, but he passed away at 1 in the morning on December 5, 1791.
There is so much more to learn about Mozart. Be sure to check out the interview with Robert Levin, and the 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Mozart on the Simply Mozart site. And as always, be sure to visit the Simply Mozart Forum with your questions, and the Simply Mozart Store to build your Mozart library!
Happy Learning!
I would like to learn more about Mozart. I think it’s fascinating and tragic that he basically died a pauper, considering the vast popularity of his music to this day. I’ve read a little about his life on CD album liner notes.
Comment by Ricardo — April 6, 2009 @ 7:21 am
I’ve always loved Mozart’s music. As a child my dad would play classical music all the time and because of that my sister and I learned to appreciate the talent it takes to write it. Mozart is at the top of my list and it was nice reading more about him here.
Comment by skatss — April 9, 2009 @ 9:40 am
Though not a huge classical music fan, I like listening to operas. I look forward to reading this. Always exciting to learn more about someone I should really already know about
. As for dying a pauper, oh how many great minds have suffered the same fate? I sometimes consider it less a tragedy and more a result of having been able to produce amazing works. Having that inside of oneself keeps them afloat, expelling them depletes the individual and, sometimes, extinguishes them. Circle of life and all that.
Comment by maculate — April 10, 2009 @ 8:54 pm
Though I am bot MUCH of a fan of Mozart, I know and feel the influence of his music is pretty much visible up to this day.
Comment by elfenliedagain — June 24, 2009 @ 1:54 pm
If I were on a desert island with only one composer, it would have to be Mozart. Much as I love Ellington and Gershwin and Fauré! The Overture to The Marriage of Figaro is about as perfect and joyful a piece of music as ever written. His music is like a diamond–hold it up and it has an infinite number of beautiful rays of light to show you. I truly believe that listening well to Mozart exercises your brain, with all-good results.
Comment by driver — June 28, 2009 @ 7:33 pm