Classical Music Er Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

On January 27, 1756, Salzburg, Austria was graced with the birth of one of the most influential composers of the Classical Music Era; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Parents; Leopold and Maria Mozart struggled to have a son, making Wolfgang the only sole surviving son. Leopold was a successful composer, violinist and concert assistant. Wolfgang’s older sister, Maria Anna was taught by their father to play piano. Through observation and fascination at the young age of 3 Wolfgang began to master the concepts of chords and melodies. As he became older, Maria Anna and Wolfgang were tutored by their father and soon conquered many instruments. At the age of 5, Wolfgang wrote his first composition with the musical instruments violin and clarinet. Leopold starting touring with his children and other family members starting in Bavaria in Munich. While touring Wolfgang was able to meet many composers and noblemen. His meeting with Johann Christian Bach; Bach’s youngest son, was the most influential in his later works. As family members began to fall ill the tour slowly came to a halt. Unwilling to stop Leopold and 13 year old Wolfgang began touring in Italy leaving Maria Anna and his mother to fend for themselves. While in Italy Wolfgang ears were graced with the musical sounds of Allegri’s Miserere, which influenced his first opera; Mitradate. Italy was the birth places of many of his operas; Ascanio in Alba and Lucio Silla. Mozart returned home March of 1773. Soon after his return the Archbishop appointed him to assistant concertmaster, a well-paid position. During this time Mozart started to create other musical genres such as symphonies, string quartets, sonata and serenades. A passion for violin concertos began to grow but was soon replaced with an interest in piano concertos. During these fascination phase he composed one of his most well-known works; Piano Concerto Number 9 in E flat major, at the age of 21. Growing weary of Austria, Mozart asked the Archbishop to fund him and his father’s travels to other places. Unwilling to let his father travel with him, Mozart’s mother accompanied him to Mannheim, Paris and Munich. As funds began to run low Mozart was forced to sell prized possessions to cover expenses. The true downfall of his tour was the death of his mother after she became severely ill. He returned to Austria and began to produce church music including his most noted, Coronation Mass. Once again Mozart began to grow tired of Austria and his position as the assistant concertmaster. He complained to the Archbishop. Not getting the response he wanted he become angry and was forbidden to perform for the Emperor and other high status individuals. He was also forced to the same job for half the salary. After a while Mozart decided to resign from his position. He soon settled in Vienna with his friend Fridolin Weber. Vienna was the birth place of his most popular work, The Abduction of Seraglio. While living with Weber Mozart fell in love with Constanze, Weber’s daughter. Unfortunately Leopold, Mozart’s father, disapproved the marriage. Fortunately that did not stop the couple from marrying each other on August 4, 1782. Together, Constanze and Wolfgang has 6 children, unfortunately only 2 survived past infancy. Their names were Karl Thomas and Franz Xavier. Wolfgang soon became obsessed with the works of Bach and Handel. This obsession drove his compositions; The …show more content…
Who knew that people actually named their kids Wolfgang? As I began to research him I realized we shared a number of thing in common. First we share birthdays. Maybe this was a coincident that he was assigned to me or maybe that is what Professor Neil based his pairing off of. Secondly we shared the same mental state of mind when it comes to money. I can’t lie and say I don’t go on a buying spree when I get money as does Mozart. We both like the finer things in life as do many others. Lastly we share the same drive. Even when Mozart was sick he was determine to finish his last piece. I feel that same way when I order a medium supreme pizza. Not only do I feel that way about food but also I feel that regardless of my circumstances I have to finish. I truly enjoyed reading and watching videos about Mr. Wolfgang Amadeus