Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Perhaps the greatest musical genius who ever lived, was born in Salzburg, Austria, Jan. 27, 1756, the son of Leopold Mozart, concertmaster at the archiepiscopal court, and his wife, Anna Maria Pertl.
Leopold Mozart was a successful composer and violinist, whose famous treatise on violin playing (Versuch Einer Grundlichen Violinschule) was first printed in 1756. In 1763, Leopold was made vice-Kapellmeister at the Salzburg court, whose sympathetic archbishop, Sigismund Von Schrattenbach, appreciated and encouraged the activities of Leopold and his children.
Wolfgang was the greatest musical child prodigy who ever lived. He began composing minuets at the age of 5 and symphonies at 9. His ...
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Paris, at court in Versailles, and in London (where Wolfgang wrote his first symphonies and was befriended by Johann Christian Bach, whose musical influence on Wolfgang was profound). In Paris, Wolfgang published his first works, four sonatas for clavier with accompanying violin (1764). In 1768 he composed his first opera, La Finta Semplice, for Vienna, but intrigues prevented its performance, and it was first presented a year later at Salzburg. In 1769-70, Leopold and Wolfgang undertook a tour through Italy, where, in Rome, Wolfgang wrote down Allegri's Miserere from memory after one hearing. This first Italian trip culminated in Wolfgang's new opera, Mitridate, re di Ponto, composed for Milan. In two further Italian journeys Wolfgang wrote two more operas for Milan, Ascanio in Alba (1771) and the impressive Lucio Silla (1772).
In 1772, Archbishop von Schrattenbach died, to be succeeded by Hieronymus Von Colloredo. The latter, at first sympathetic to the Mozarts, later became ...
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"Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart." Essayworld.com. March 16, 2008. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Wolfgang-Amadeus-Mozart/80619.
"Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart." Essayworld.com. March 16, 2008. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Wolfgang-Amadeus-Mozart/80619.
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