The Life and Works of Wolfgang Amadeus

Mozart

Megan Schlegel

Middle School General Music

Mozart’s Birth• Mozart was born

on January 27, 1756 in Salsburg, Austria

• He was the son of Leopold and Anna Maria Mozart

• Mozart was the second of seven children, but only two survived infancy

Mozart’s Early Years• Mozart showed musical gifts at an

early age• He began composing at the age of

five• He was performing for the Bavarian

elector and Austrian empress at age six

• The family went on a tour to royal courts in cities like London and Paris in mid-1763

Mozart’s Influences

• Johann Christian Bach’s musical style was a large influence on Mozart’s early works

• Later in his life, Mozart used Joseph Haydn as an inspiration

Johann Christian Bach

Joseph Haydn

Mozart’s Works

• Symphonies• Concertos• Concertante

Symphonies• Solo Piano Music

• Chamber Music• Instrumental

Works• Sacred Music• Operas

Mozart’s Symphonies• Childhood Symphonies (1764-1771)

• 13 Numbered Symphonies (Nos. 1-13)• There are also a fair amount of unnumbered

symphonies from this time• Salsburg-era Symphonies (1771-1781)

• 17 Numbered Symphonies (Nos. 14-30)• Sometimes these are subcategorized as

“Early” and “Late” symphonies• None were in print during Mozart’s life

• Late Symphonies (1781-1791)• 10 Numbered Symphonies (Nos. 31-41)• His final three symphonies (Nos. 39-41) were

completed in about three months

Mozart’s ConcertosPiano Concertos

• Mozart composed twenty-seven piano concertos• Four are solo

concertos• Concerto No. 7 is

written for three pianos, Concerto No. 10 is written for two pianos

• The remaining twenty-one are for piano and orchestra

Piano Concerto No. 20

Mozart’s ConcertosViolin Concertos

• Mozart wrote five violin concertos while in his late teens

• His violin concertos are noted for their beautiful melodies and skillful use of the expressive and technical characteristics of the instrument

Violin Concerto No. 5

Mozart’s ConcertosHorn Concertos

• Mozart wrote four concertos for horn

• These concertos are a major part of the professional horn players’ repertoire

Horn Concerto No. 4

Mozart’s ConcertosOther Concertos

• Mozart also wrote numerous concertos for other instruments:• Bassoon• Oboe• Clarinet• Flute• Harp

Mozart’s Concertante Symphonies

• A concertante symphony is a musical work that combines the genres of the concerto and symphony

• Mozart wrote two Concertante Symphonies:• Simfonia Concertante

for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra K. 364

• Simfonia Concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, and Bassoon K. 297b

Mozart’s Piano Music

• Mozart’s piano works include:• Nanneri’s Music

Book• 19 Piano

Sonatas• 6 Double Piano

Sonatas• 4 Fantasies

Mozart’s Chamber Music

• Mozart wrote numerous chamber music pieces including:• 36 Violin Sonatas• Variations for

Violin and Piano• String Duos,

Trios, Quartets, and Quintets

• Woodwind Chamber Music

Mozart’s Instrumental Works

• The most notable instrumental work by Mozart is known as Gran Partita and was written for 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 basset horns, 4 hunting horns, 2 bassoons and double bass

Mozart’s Sacred Music

• Mozart’s sacred music includes 18 Masses• Requiem in D

minor is probably the most famous of his works

Mozart’s Operas

• Mozart wrote twenty operas in his lifetime

• The most famous ones include:• The Marriage of

Figaro• Don Giovanni• The Magic Flute

The Marriage of Figaro

Mozart’s Death

• Mozart died on December 5, 1791, in Vienna, Austria

• He was 35