Notes 9/16/14- Life of Mozart

Mozart Full name: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Born: January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, Austria Died: December 5, 1791 at the age of 35 Mozart was one of 7 children. Only one other sibling survived, His older sister Maryanne. His father Leopold instructed Mozart. He performed regularly in front of royalty. Both him and his sister showed unusual musical abilities. Anna Maria was Mozart’s mother an intelligent woman torn between husband and son. Leopold forced Mozart. Mozart known as child prodigy. A prodigy is a person with exceptional talent far beyond what is normal for someone of that age. Mozart learned 15 different languages. 3 years old he began to experiment with sounds on piano. At age of 5 he wrote first piece of music. By age of 6 he learned how to use the violin. By the age of 8 he wrote his first symphony. At age 12 he wrote his first opera. In his lifetime he wrote 626 pieces of music. He was born with 2 special gifts. Photographic memory and perfect pitch knows the letter of a pitch simply by hearing it or the ability to produce any pitch referred to by name. When they were growing up they went on tours around Europe. He went to Italy in 1700 the center of musical activity. When he was 20 he grew apart from his father. At 26 he married Constanze Weber. They had 6 children but only 2 sons survived past child hood. He died before finishing a requiem. Franz Xaver Süssmay finished the Requiem. On November 20 1791 he became ill. He died with little money and given a commoners funeral. We do not know where Mozart is buried. Because he was buried in a wooden coffin and buried in a plot with4-5 people. He was moved and his bone was crushed. Famous compositions: • Eine Klein Nachtmusik • Symphonies 25 40 41 • Marriage of Figaro • The magic flute • Don Giovanni • Requiem • Twinkle Twinkle