The Amazing Mr Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wasbetween Salzburg and Milan to complete these pieces
born on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, Austria, whichin the years that followed.
was then part of the Holy Roman Empire. His fatherWhen he returned to Salzburg in 1773, he was
and mother were Leopold and Anna Maria Pertlappointed as royal musician to the court by the ruler of
Mozart. He had one sister, Maria Anna Mozart, whoSalzburg, Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus Colleredo. His
was born in 1751.popularity increased tremendously, but so did his
Mozart's father was a minor composer with anyearning for bigger and better successes.
interest in music. When his older sister was seven andAfter years searching for a new job in Paris and
Wolfgang was three, their father began giving MariaMannheim, Mozart eventually was sent to Vienna by
Anna piano lessons as Wolfgang watched with greathis employer. His salary was cut, and he attempted to
interest. He had a natural talent for picking out chords,resign, but the request was denied. He was eventually
and by age five Wolfgang was composing smallfired with dishonor in 1781, and he set out to make a
pieces on the clavier. His father wrote the piecesfreelance career for himself.
down, and they eventually were popularized underHis career blossomed in Vienna, and in 1782 he married
names like the Andante and the Allegro in C.a woman named Constanze with whom he had six
As evidence of Wolfgang's genius became apparent,children. At this time, composer Joseph Hayden and
his parents decided to put him on tour across EuropeMozart became good friends. He finally obtained an
and showcase him as the child prodigy he was. Theyaristocratic commission in 1787 when Emperor Joseph
traveled to cities like Vienna, Munich, Prague, Paris,II appointed him as chamber composer. In the same
Mannheim, London, The Hague, Zurich andyear, Mozart's famous opera Don Giovanni opened in
Donaueschingen. During his travels, Wolfgang metPrague to much critical acclaim.
many influential musicians, including Johann ChristianIn the last few years of his life, Mozart produced many
Bach. However, travel was difficult and the family wasnoteworthy compositions, like The Magic Flute and his
often wrought with illness.famous unfinished Requiem. He fell ill in 1791 while in
In 1769 the family set out for Italy. The journey tookPrague for the premiere of his opera La clemenza di
them until 1771. When they arrived at the Sistine ChapelTito in September. By November of that year, Mozart
in the Vatican, Mozart witnessed a performance ofwas bedridden because of his illness. He was tended
Miserere by Gregorio Allegri. He then was able to writeto by Constanze and his family doctor until his death
down the entire piece from memory, much to theon December 5.
amazement of the music community. Transcribing theIt is impossible for modern medicine to pinpoint the
music was technically illegal according the Vatican, butexact cause of his death, but the old medical practice
the event remains legendary to this day.of bloodletting is believed to be a contributing factor. He
In Milan in 1770, Mozart composed and successfullywas buried in a common grave, as was the practice
performed the opera Mitridate, re di Ponto, which led toof the time in Vienna. While illness may have stopped
two future operatic commissions for Ascanio in Albathe progress of his musical career, the genius of
and Lucio Silla. Mozart traveled back and forthMozart's compositions lives on through the ages.