Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Considered by many to be the greatest composer to ever live. Copyright © Frankel Consulting Services, Inc.

Mozart’s Family From left to right… Nannerl Mozart (sister) Wolfgang Amadeus Maria Anna (mother) Leopold Mozart (father)

A bit of trivia… Mozart’s real name was Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus but he preferred to be called Wolfgang Amadeus both Theophilus and Amadeus mean loved by God

Mozart’s Life Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, Austria His parents were Leopold, a musician, and Maria Anna. He was a normal child for the first three years. He then began to show signs of the prodigy he was to become at the keyboard. He began composing at age five.

Salzburg

Mozart’s Piano

Mozart composed his first symphony at age 8. Mozart’s father pushed him very hard to become a musical genius. Mozart spent his childhood touring Europe with his father and sister performing for monarchs and church officials. At age 10 Mozart proposed to Marie Antoinette, wife of King Louis XVI. Mozart was by all accounts a little brat.

Mozart married Constanze Weber, the daughter of his landlady, at age 26. His father bitterly disapproved. *By that age, Mozart had already composed 415 pieces of music. Mozart then moved to Vienna.

Mozart died 10 years later on December 5, He had over $150,000 in debts due to his party lifestyle. He was buried in an unmarked grave because he had no money to pay for a burial plot.

Famous Compositions Eine Kleine Nachtmusik Symphonies No. 25, 40, 41 The Marriage of Figaro The Magic Flute Don Giovanni Requiem Twinkle Twinkle

His Musical Mark Mozart never made a mistake when he wrote down parts - it was as if he was getting the music straight from an “unworldly” source. When he began to write the work down, it was already finished in his head. Mozart had perfect pitch and didn’t need a piano to compose - he could also play anything he heard instantly.

Mozart’s music was very emotional although much of the other music written at the same time is void of emotion. Mozart breathed new life into Opera - all of his operas are still regularly performed today. Mozart’s music production is unbelievable - if he would have lived until 70 his output would have been over 2,500 pieces. Imagine what he could have done had used Sibelius…

Mozart’s Manuscripts

And now for “Amadeus” What was fact, and what was fiction?

Amadeus What is fact? What is fiction?

Fact Mozart was commissioned to write a Requiem Mass by a “grey stranger” Mozart believed he was being poisoned by this stranger Mozart was buried in a mass grave Salieri confessed to killing Mozart Mozart’s students completed the Requiem so that Constanze could get paid for it.

Fiction Was not an alcoholic Never unfaithful to Constanze The “Grey Stranger” was a man named Walsegg- Stuppach - known for commissioning works and then claiming that he wrote them. Mozart was known more as a performer and teacher than a composer of Operas in Vienna Salieri was extremely successful - never “mediocre”

He actually died of complications from Rheumatic fever Salieri was much more popular than Mozart in Vienna Salieri became jealous of Mozart after his death - Mozart’s music became far more popular While there was a rivalry between Mozart and Salieri - there was also respect. Mozart wasn’t commissioned to write an opera by Joseph II until 6 years after he came to Vienna.