Download Wolfgang Mozart An Exceptional Performer

 Born January 27, 1756 one of seven children to parents Leopold and Anna Maria
Pertl Mozart
 Wolfgang and sister Maria Anna, were the only two that survived
 Leopold was a successful composer and violinist as well as the assistant
concertmaster at the Salzburg Court
 Father gave up much of his musical career in order to devote his time and attention
to providing his children with an education and ensuring their talents were
fostered
 Wolfgang Mozart did not attend and formal schooling, however was taught directly
by his father
 Sister, Maria Anna, was also encouraged to become musically inclined by their
father, Leopold
 Father started Maria on the keyboard at age 7
 At only 3 years old, Wolfgang would watch and with interest would mimic his sister
 Developed a quick understanding of music, tempo, chords, etc.
 Leopold encouraged perfection, however made the lessons fun along the way
 Wolfgang began playing instruments officially by the age of 6
 Leopold began taking Maria and Wolfgang on “tours” in 1762 to various venues to
begin performing as child prodigies.
 Traveled to places such as London, Paris, and Zurich
 Wolfgang was only 6 years old during this first tour and his sister was only 11
 Wolfgang met Johann Bach on one of the tours in London. Bach ended up being a
strong influence on his work.
 The tours would be a way to get their names and work out in the public as well as
meeting influential musicians to gain insight on their work and to perform for
various audience.
 The tours would be long with a packed schedule, often leaving the children sick
and having to postpone or cancel certain performances.
 December, 1769 Wolfgang (age 13) and father Leopold left for Italy. This trip ended
up lasting until 1771 because Leopold wanted to truly showcase his son’s talent to
as many audiences as possible
 Wolfgang was able to write the entire score of Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere from
memory in 1771 after hearing it performed at the Sistine Chapel
 During this time, Wolfgang wrote two operas, Ascanio in Alba (1771) and Lucio Silla
(1772)
 Wolfgang and Leopold did not return from Italy until March 1773
 After their return in 1773, Wolfgang, now 17, was offered a position for a small
salary to become an assistant concertmaster, just as his father was
 During Wolfgang’s time as an Assistant Concermaster, he composed symphonies,
string quartets, sonatas, serenades and operas
 He wrote five violin concertos after developing a passion for them during his
assistant concertmaster reign. However these ultimately were the only five he
completed in his lifetime
 By August 1777, Wolfgang decided that he would be able to do more with his
talents elsewhere. Wolfgang set off on a trip for more prosperous employment,
leaving Salzburg behind
 July 16, 1782
 Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) (opera) first performance
 In 1782, Wolfgang performed 22 concerts in 5 weeks. Out of those 22, 5
performances were solo performances
 May 1, 1786
 First performance of The Marriage of Figaro (opera)
 October 29, 1787
 First performance of Don Giovanni
 September 30, 1791
 First performance of The Magic Flute
 The Marriage of Figaro
 Met and collaborated w/ Lorenzo da Ponte (late 1785)
 Well-received in Vienna and in Prague
 Resulted in an invitation to Prague; performed a new symphony there
 Don Giovanni
 Premiered 1787
 Again, well-received
 1789; invited to travel to Berlin with Prince Karl Lichnowsky
 Stopped by Prague, Dresden (performed for the court), Leipzig for performances
 Made appearance at Prussian court; composed piano sonatas for princess, string quartet
for King Friedrich Wilhelm II
 The Magic Flute
 Premiered September 30, 1791
 Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio)
 Immediately successful; other companies began performing it across Europe
 Boosted Mozart's reputation
 Sometimes it was hard to find theater space to rent in Vienna for performances
 So instead he booked himself unconventional venues
 Large rooms of apartment buildings, ballrooms in expensive restaurants
 Appointed "chamber composer" by Emperor Joseph II
 Modest pay, but only required him to compose dance music for annual balls
 Allowed him to pursue personal musical ambitions
 Theory of innate ability
 Born greatness?
 Father= Genetic theory
 Picked up clarinet, violin, and piano almost
immediately
 Father taught him and his sister
 Practices were rigorous
 Mozart caught on quickly
 Starting at such a young age contributed to gaining
practice and experience (10,000)
 First official symphony was written in 1764 (age 8)
 Mozart’s abilities and accomplishments made him one of the most
influential composers of all time
 Would often write full symphonies a week before performances
 Could work on multiple symphonies at once
 Body of work is impressive, time span is even more impressive
 600 pieces in 27 years
 Experimented with different acoustics in different settings
 Partly due to lack of money
 Continued his success despite being poor= Grit
 Developed a very unique style of music
 Initially negatively received
 1788- 1789 (Black Thoughts Period)
 Depression
 Bi-polar disorder
 Showed in his work (The Magic Flute)- dark themes
 The Magic Flute was his last piece of work
 Became extremely reserved and detached in 1790s
 Led to his death in 1791 at age of 35
Biography.com Editors. (n.d.). Wolfgang mozart biography. Retrieved from
http://www.biography.com/people/wolfgang-mozart-9417115
Sadie, S. (2015, April 30). Wolfgang amadeus mozart: Austrian composer. Retrieved from
http://www.britannica.com/biography/Wolfgang-Amadeus-Mozart
Salzburg.info Editors. (n.d.) Wolfgang amadeus mozart: Chronicle. Retrieved from
http://www.salzburg.info/en/art_culture/wolfgang_amadeus_mozart/wolfgang_amadeus_mozar
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