Download Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Mrs. Lowe`s Music Class Website

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart was born in
Salzburg, Austria in
1756. Many people
think he was the
greatest composer who
ever lived. Even
though Mozart’s music
was very popular
during his time, he
often had to struggle
just to make a living.
Wolfgang had a remarkable
childhood. He and his
sister, Nannerl, who was
four years older, traveled
all over with their parents,
playing music for the
royal families of Europe.
When Mozart was three
years old, he already had
an unusual
understanding of music.
When he was four, he
learned to play the violin
perfectly!
Traveling in those days
was difficult and
uncomfortable. The
roads were bumpy and
muddy and often the
coach would break
down. Wolfgang and
Nannerl didn’t seem to
mind though. They
loved seeing the great
cities of Europe and
performing concerts for
rich and important
people.
When Wolfgang got older,
his father, Leopold (who
was also a musician)
helped Mozart get a job in
the court orchestra. At
first it was OK until a new
archbishop took over. He
never appreciated
Mozart’s talent. He was
often rude and ordered
him to write all kinds of
boring musical pieces,
sometimes at the last
minute. Wolfgang was
very unhappy.
Leopold Mozart
Wolfgang wanted to
have the freedom to
find his own jobs
and make his own
decisions about
what music he
would write. In
1779, Mozart went
to another city called
Vienna where he
had a lot of friends.
It was there he fell in
love and married a
singer named
Constanze Weber.
Wolfgang had some of
the happiest times of life
with Constanze in Vienna
and wrote many of his
greatest works. Some
people think his operas
are his greatest
achievement. An opera is
a story told through
singing. The singers
wear beautiful costumes
and perform on a stage
with fancy scenery while
an orchestra
accompanies them.
As time went on,
Wolfgang got himself
into money problems.
Mozart was never
very good at handling
his finances. He loved
to spend money by
giving parties,
expensive clothing
and wigs.
Mozart had to work day and night to put on
concerts and write music for special occasions
so he could pay the bills. Even with
Constanze’s help and encouragement,
Wolfgang’s health started getting worse and
worse.
After Mozart finished writing one of his operas
called The Magic Flute, he wasn’t well at all.
He used all his energy to compose a piece
called Requiem, but died before he could finish
it. He was only 35 years old.
What is the overarching idea?
The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
What are the main ideas?
The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Native Country and
Year of Birth
Child Prodigy
.
Life in Vienna
Money Problems
and Death
What are the main ideas?
The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Native Country and
Year of Birth
•Born in
Salzburg, Austria
•1756
Child Prodigy
Life in Vienna
Money Problems
and Death
What are the main ideas?
The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Time Period and
Characteristics of Era
Child Prodigy
Life in Vienna
• a prodigy means a child
or young person, having
extraordinary talent or
ability: a musical prodigy.
• Mozart could play the
violin perfectly at age 4
•Traveled with sister,
Nanneral throughout
Europe performing for
the wealthy patrons
•Mr. Mozart was their
music teacher
Money Problems
and Death
What are the main ideas?
The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Native Country and
Year of Birth
Child Prodigy
Life in Vienna
Money Problems
and Death
•Unhappy working for
Court Orchestra, left for
Vienna to become self
employed.
•Met and married singer,
Constanze Weber
•Wrote many of most
famous works including
operas
•Many think his operas
are his greatest
achievement
What are the main ideas?
The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Native Country and
Year of Birth
Child Prodigy
Life in Vienna
Money Problems
and Death
•Mozart never good at handling money
•Loved
Loved to spend money on parties,
expensive clothes and wigs
•Worked night and day to pay the bills
•His health began to deteriorate
•Began writing a requiem and felt he
was writing it for himself (Also called
Requiem Mass. The Mass celebrated
for the repose of the souls of the
dead.)
•Died at 35 from poor health
•Buried in an unmarked grave because
he couldn’t afford proper funeral