Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Born on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, Austria Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart is one of the most influential composers of the Classical era. He was a child prodigy and composed his first music pieces at five. Mozart wrote over 600 pieces including symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic, and choral music masterpieces.

He traveled extensively with his family during his youth and his performed with his sister as child prodigies. While in Milan, Mozart wrote Mitridate, re di Ponto, an opera. A year later he returned to Milan and wrote Ascanio in Alba and Lucio Silla. At the end of his Italian visit, he wrote the solo motel Exsultate, jubilate, K. 165.

From 1773 to 1777 Mozart was the court musician for Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo. He was able to work in many different music genres and developed a love for violin concertos. He produced a series of five violin compositions, K.216, K.218, and K.219. In 1776 he returned to his first instrument, the piano, and composed the E-flat concerto K.271.

Mozart travel to Vienna and in 1781 he played before the Emperor and soon established himself as a noted musician. He completed the opera Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serial (The Abduction from the Seraglio) 1782. Mozart quickly became acquainted with Bach and Handel and his music, Die Zaubrflote (The Magic Flute) and his Symphony No. 41 had shades of the baroque style. During 1784 Mozart was admitted to the Freemason Lodge Zur Wohtatigkeit. He composed Masonic music, the Maurerische Trauermusik, attended meetings and his friends were Masons.

The period of 1788 through 1790 were times of poverty and stress. Mozart suffered from depression and his music output slowed down. He did compose the three symphonies Nos. 39, 40, 41 and the last of his operas Cosi fan tutte. While in Prague in 1791 at the premiere of is opera La clemenza di Tito his health deteriorated and he became bedridden. He attempted to finish his Requiem, but was too ill.

Mozart died at home on December 5, 1791 at the age of 35. He married Constanze Weber in 1782 and the couple had six children. Four died in infancy.