Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756-1791 Created By: Helena H.
Mozart's Early Life
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, Austria. Mozart was a child prodigy. At the age of five, he composed a minuet and played both the harpsichord and violin. He performed for the Viennese Royal court when he was six years old. He wrote his first symphony, an elaborate piece for a full orchestra, when he was nice years old. When he was 7 to 10 years old, Wolfgang and his older sister toured Europe, playing for many royalties such as kings, queens and emperors.
Map
This map relates to Mozart because it is the map of Austria in 1795. Wolfgang was born in Austria but also died in Austria. He was ill for a while and then he died at the age of 35. His father, Leopold, was a musician. Mozart married his wife, Constanze Weber, in 1781 and they had six children. However, only two survived to become adults.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Requiem Mass in D minor K. 626
Video Paragraph
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed this piece, Requiem, from a person who wanted a piece of music for a death or funeral. The unknown man gave half of the money first. During this time, Wolfgang was very ill and soon died without finishing the piece. Wolfgang died poor but his family was still alive, living in poverty. Desperate for money, Mozart's wife, Constanze Weber, searched for Mozart's colleagues and found one man, named Franz Xaver Süssmayr, who was willing to finish the piece for her without any money. Süssmayr finished the piece and gave it back to Constanze and she forged Mozart's signature. She gave it to the person who requested it and got all the money that she needed. Soon, rumors went around questioning if Constanze lied to them. Quickly after rumors spread, Constanze told the truth but the piece is still respected and liked because it is a great piece of music.
Other Known Pieces
Musical Pieces:
- Eine kleine Nachtmusic (A Little Night Music)
- Rondo alla Turka
- Symphony No. 1- 41
Operas:
- Don Giovanni
- Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
- Così fan tutte (Women are Like That)
- Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)
Mozart's Legacy
Mozart was a genius in music. He was a child prodigy. Wolfgang created his first minuet when he was only five years old and could play the harpsichord and violin. Mozart toured Europe playing for many royalties when he was young. Throughout his childhood, many people loved him and his music. As he grew up, his popularity went down but Mozart did not stop creating music. Soon, Mozart became poor and could not support his family. He created 600 pieces including symphonies, sonatas, concertos, operas, dance music, and masses. Now, Mozart is known as one of the best composers in history.
Works CIted
AUSTRIAN EMPIRE MAP, 1795. - Map of Prussia and the Austrian Empire as they appeared in the year 1795.. Fine Art. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 12 May 2016.
<http://quest.eb.com/search/140_1628844/1/140_1628844/cite>
Fledermaus1990. “Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Requiem Mass in D minor K. 626.” YouTube. N.p., 25 Aug. 2012. Web. 13 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05P5_Ynoku8&feature=youtu.be>.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 12 May 2016.
<http://quest.eb.com/search/139_1904992/1/139_1904992/cite>
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791). Kids Music Corner. Web. 22 Sep. 2015.