8 Facts About the Classical Music Composer Mozart
-
Loading... - Paula Dawson
- 12 Jan 2022
- 422 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756, which at the time was a part of the Holy Roman Empire. He spent the majority of his childhood composing and performing music for numerous royals, including Prince-elector Maximilian III of Bavaria and Archduke Ferdinand. He continued to travel throughout adulthood, performing for European aristocracy, and continuing to create sonatas, symphonies, and operas. After his death, his friend and fellow composer Joseph Haydn said, “posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years.”
Learn 8 facts about the classical music composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
MOZART'S FATHER AND SISTER WERE MUSICAL, TOO.
Mozart and his older sister Maria Anna (nicknamed “Nannerl”) were the only surviving children of their parents, Leopold and Anna Maria Mozart. Leopold was a former musician and composer, who was appointed as the fourth violinist for the ruling Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. He began teaching the 7-year-old Nannerl and 3-year-old Mozart music, both of whom displayed an affinity for different instruments.
Later, between 1763 and 1766, Leopold, Nannerl, and Mozart when on a tour throughout Europe, performing for royals like Empress Marie Theresa. During this time, Mozart's reputation as a child prodigy grew enormously.
HE BEGAN WRITING HIS OWN COMPOSITIONS AT AGE 5.
When Mozart was about 5 years old, he began creating his own compositions which his father wrote down and collected in the Nannerl Notenbuch. Andante in C, K. 1a was most likely his first piece, a short composition that was intended to be performed on the harpsichord. It was quickly followed by Allegro in C, K. 1b and Allegro in F, K. 1c.
MOZART MET MARIE ANTOINETTE.
During Mozart and his family's tour of Europe, he was invited to play at the royal court of Maria Theresa, Empress of the Holy Roman Empire. There, biographer Eric Blom describes a meeting between the 7-year-old Mozart and the young Marie Antoinette, who was two months his senior. Supposedly, Mozart slipped on a polished floor and Marie Antoinette helped him to his feet. Afterward, Mozart was said to have proposed to the future queen of France. Read More…
