Mozart :: essays research papers

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart1756-1791Probably the superior genius in Western musical history, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, Jan. 27, 1756, the boy of Leopold Mozart and his wife, Anna Maria Pertl. Leopold was a successful composer and violinist and assistant contrivemaster at the Salzburg court of law, whose archbishop, Sigismund von Schrattenbach, advance the activities of Leopold and his remarkable children. Wolfgang began composing minuets at the age of 5 and symphonies at 9. When he was 6, he and his older sister, Maria Anna, embarked on a series of concert tours to Europes courts and major cities. Both children played the keyboard, but Wolfgang became a violin flair as well. In 1762 the Mozart children played at court in capital of Austria the Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Emperor Francis I, received them cordially. Later the Mozart children displayed (1763-66) their talents to audiences in Germany, in Paris, at court in Versailles, and in Lon don (where Wolfgang wrote his set-back symphonies and was befriended by Johann Christian Bach, whose musical influence on Wolfgang was profound). In Paris the young Mozart produce his first works, four sonatas for clavier with accompanying violin (1764). In 1768 he serene his first opera, La Finta Semplice, for Vienna, but intrigues prevented its performance, and it was first presented a form later at Salzburg. In 1769-70, Leopold and Wolfgang undertook a tour through Italy. This first Italian trip culminated in a new opera, Mitridate, re di Ponto, be for Milan. In two further Italian journeys he wrote two more(prenominal) operas for Milan, Ascanio in Alba (1771) and Lucio Silla (1772). In 1772, Archbishop von Schrattenbach died, to be succeeded by Hieronymus von Colloredo. The latter, at first openhearted to the Mozarts, later became irritated by Wolfgangs prolonged absences and stubborn ways. In 1772, von Colloredo well-kept Wolfgang as concertmaster at a token salary. In t his capacity Mozart composed a large number of sacred and secular works. Wishing to practiced a better position outside Salzburg, he obtained permission to secure another journey in 1777. With his mother he traveled to France, where he composed the Paris Symphony (1778) he could find no fixed position, however. His mother died in Paris. When he returned to Salzburg he was given the position of court organist (1779) and produced a splendid series of church works, including the famous Coronation Mass. He was commissioned to compose a new opera for Munich, Idomeneo (1781), which proved that he was a consummate master of opera seria.