When it comes to classical music, most people immediately think of Mozart. And this is no coincidence, because he has achieved phenomenal success in all musical directions of his time.

Today, the works of this genius are very popular all over the world. Scientists have repeatedly conducted research related to the positive impact of Mozart's music on the human psyche.

With all this, if you ask anyone you meet if he can tell at least one interesting fact from biographies of Mozart, - it is unlikely that he will give an affirmative answer. But it is a storehouse of human wisdom!

So, we bring to your attention the biography of Wolfgang Mozart.

Most famous portrait Mozart

Brief biography of Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in the Austrian city of Salzburg. His father Leopold was a composer and violinist in court chapel Count Sigismund von Strattenbach.

Mother Anna Maria was the daughter of the commissioner of the trustee of the almshouse in St. Gilgen. Anna Maria gave birth to 7 children, but only two of them managed to survive: Maria's daughter Anna, also called Nannerl, and Wolfgang.

During the birth of Mozart, his mother almost died. Doctors made every effort to ensure that she survived, and the future genius was not left an orphan.

Both children in the Mozart family showed excellent musical abilities, since their biographies were directly related to music from childhood.

When his father decided to teach little Maria Anna to play the harpsichord, Mozart was only 3 years old.

But in those moments when the boy heard the sounds of music coming, he often approached the harpsichord and tried to play something. Soon he was able to play some pieces of music he had heard earlier.

The father immediately noticed the extraordinary talent of his son and also began to teach him to play the harpsichord. The young genius grasped everything on the fly and already at the age of five he was composing plays. A year later, he mastered the violin.

None of the Mozart children attended school, as the father decided to teach them different things himself. The genius of little Wolfgang Amadeus was manifested not only in music.

He zealously learned any science. So, for example, when the study began, he was so carried away by the subject that he covered the entire floor different numbers and examples.

Touring Europe

When Mozart was 6 years old, he played so magnificently that he could easily perform in front of an audience. This played a decisive role in his biography. Complementing the impeccable game was the singing of the older sister Nannerl, who had a magnificent voice.

Father Leopold was extremely happy with how capable and gifted his children turned out to be. Seeing their capabilities, he decides to go on tour with them to the largest cities in Europe.

Wolfgang Mozart as a child

The head of the family had high hopes that this trip would make his children famous and help improve the financial situation of the family.

And indeed, soon the dreams of Leopold Mozart were destined to come true.

The Mozarts managed to perform in the largest cities and capitals of European states.

In whatever place Wolfgang and Nannerl appeared, they were expected to be a resounding success. The audience was discouraged by the talented acting and singing of the children.

The first 4 sonatas of Wolfgang Mozart were published in Paris in 1764. While in London, he met the son of the great Bach, Johann Christian, from whom he received a lot of useful advice.

The composer was shocked by the abilities of the child. This meeting benefited the young Wolfgang and made him an even more skillful master of his craft.

In general, it must be said that throughout his biography, Mozart constantly studied and improved, even when it seemed that he had reached the limits of mastery.

In 1766, Leopold became seriously ill, so they decided to return home from the tour. Moreover, the constant moving overly tired the children.

Creative biography of Mozart

As we have already said, creative biography Mozart began with his first tour at the age of 6 years.

When he was 14 years old, he went to Italy, where he again managed to impress the audience with the virtuoso playing of his own (and not only) works.

In Bologna, he participated in various musical competitions with professional musicians.

Mozart's playing impressed the Boden Academy so much that they decided to award him the title of academician. It is worth noting that such an honorary status was given to talented composers only after they were at least 20 years old.

Returning to his native Salzburg, Mozart continued to compose various sonatas, symphonies and operas. The older he got, the more profound and penetrating were his works.

In 1772, he met Joseph Haydn, who in the future became not only a teacher for him, but also a reliable friend.

Family difficulties

Soon Wolfgang, like his father, began to play at the court of the archbishop. Due to his special talent, he always had a huge number of orders.

However, after the death of the old bishop and the arrival of a new one, the situation changed for the worse. A trip to Paris and some German cities in 1777 helped to distract a little from the surging problems.

During this period of Mozart's biography, serious financial difficulties arose in their family. For this reason, only his mother was able to travel with Wolfgang.

However, this trip was not successful. Mozart's compositions, which differed from the music of that time, no longer aroused much enthusiasm among the public. After all, Wolfgang was no longer that little “wonder boy” capable of admiring with his appearance alone.

The situation was darkened even more, since in Paris his mother fell ill and died, who could not bear the endless and unsuccessful trips.

All these circumstances prompted Mozart to return home again to seek his fortune there.

Career heyday

Judging by the biography of Mozart, he almost always lived on the verge of poverty, and even poverty. However, he was offended by the behavior of the new bishop, who perceived Wolfgang as a mere servant.

Because of this, in 1781, he made a firm decision to leave for Vienna.

Mozart family. On the wall is a portrait of the mother, 1780.

There the composer met Baron Gottfried van Steven, who was then the patron of many musicians. He advised him to write some compositions in a style to diversify his repertoire.

At that moment, Mozart wanted to become a music teacher with Princess Elisabeth of Württemberg, but her father preferred Antonio Salieri, whom he depicted in the poem of the same name as the killer of the great Mozart.

The 1780s became the most rosy in Mozart's biography. It was then that he wrote such masterpieces as "The Wedding of Figaro", "Magic Flute" and "Don Juan".

Moreover, national recognition came to him, and he enjoyed great popularity in society. Naturally, he began to receive large fees, which before that he had only dreamed of.

However, soon a black streak came in Mozart's life. In 1787, his father and wife Constance Weber passed away, for whose treatment a lot of money was spent.

After the death of Emperor Joseph 2, Leopold 2 was on the throne, who was very cold about music. This also exacerbated the position of Mozart and his fellow composers.

Mozart's personal life

Mozart's only wife was Constance Weber, whom he met in the Austrian capital. However, the father did not want his son to marry this girl.

It seemed to him that Constance's close relatives were simply trying to find a profitable husband for her. However, Wolfgang made a firm decision, and in 1782 they got married.

Wolfgang Mozart and his wife Constance

Their family had 6 children, of whom only three survived.

Death of Mozart

In 1790, Mozart's wife needed expensive treatment, which is why he decided to give concerts in Frankfurt. He was well received by the public, but the fees from the concerts were very modest.

In 1791, in the last year of his life, he wrote the Symphony 40, known to almost everyone, as well as the unfinished Requiem.

At this time, he became seriously ill: his arms and legs were very swollen and constant weakness was felt. At the same time, the composer was tormented by sudden bouts of vomiting.

Mozart's Last Hours, painting by O'Neill, 1860

He was buried in a common grave, where several more coffins were located: the financial situation of the family at that time was so difficult. That is why the exact burial place of the great composer is still unknown.

The official cause of his death is considered to be rheumatic inflammatory fever, although biographers continue to debate this issue today.

There is a widespread belief that Antonio Salieri, who was also a composer, poisoned Mozart. But there is no reliable confirmation of this version.

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Lev Gunin

THE LIFE OF MOZART AND ITS MYSTERIES

PART ONE

(CONTINUATION)

BIOGRAPHY

Birth: January 27, 1756. Place of birth: Salzburg (Austria). At baptism, he received the names Johann Chrysostomos Wolfgang Theophilus (Gottlieb) Mozart ( Joannes Chrisostomus Wolfgang Gottlieb Mozart). Mother - Maria Anna Pertl. Father - Leopold Mozart (1719-1787), an outstanding composer, teacher and theorist. Even before the birth of Wolfgang, in 1743, Leopold received a place as a violinist in the court orchestra of the Salzburg archbishop. Maria Anna and Leopold had seven children. Perhaps they all had pronounced musical abilities. The monstrous infant mortality of that time claimed five. Only two survived: Maria Anna (Nannerl) and her younger brother Wolfgang. Both are endowed with extraordinary musical talent. Like Johann Sebastian Bach his distinguished sons, Leopold Mozart began to teach music to his son and daughter from a very young age. Like Bach, he himself composed in 1759 a Notebook of harpsichord pieces with a children's repertoire. The pedagogical talent of Leopold and the brilliant data of his children worked wonders. Five-year-old Wolfgang is already composing simple minuets.

Leopold Mozart, Wolfgang's father, mother,
and the Mozart family (right)

However, Mozart the father was not only a strong teacher, but also an enterprising person. The son and daughter became his craft tools. The father decided to make a fortune on them. January, 1762. The first "run-in" of two prodigies (miracle children): a trip to Munich, a large, brilliant cultural center, where the three of us played in the presence of the Bavarian elector. At that time, Germany was fragmented into many small states - kingdoms or principalities - each of which was ruled by a separate monarch. The decision to start the first foreign tour with her reflects the entrepreneurial flair of Leopold Mozart. The public in Germany was not as spoiled and capricious as the Austrian, and did not turn away from their own, German, performers. In Austria, it should be noted, the Italian school dominated. Italy has been part of the Austrian (Holy Roman) Empire for centuries, just like Hungary, Bohemia (Czech Republic), Slovakia, and other countries. Therefore, the predilection for Italian music in no way ran counter to Austrian patriotism. Moreover, preference Italian masters German reflected not the suppression of the German national musical art, but the desire of the nobility to move away from the people, to put between themselves - and the mob playing music on the streets of Vienna - an impenetrable partition. Only after Germany, having collected reviews and recommendations, Leopold Mozart with children makes a tour of his native Austria: in September 1762 he visits Linz and Passau, from where he arrives on the Danube to Vienna.

Salzburg Palace

Salzburg church

Mozart's sister, Nannerl

A favorable reception in Germany and recommendations did their job: the Mozarts were treated kindly at court, they were admitted to the Schonbrunn Palace, and twice they were received by Empress Maria Theresa herself. In Pressburg (as the Austrian conquerors renamed the Slovak Bratislava) they get again along the Danube, where they stay until Christmas, and by Christmas Eve they are again in Vienna.

In a palace

From June 1763 to November 1766 the Mozarts tour for three for long years, having traveled almost all of Europe: Munich, Schwetzingen (the summer residence of the Elector of the Palatinate), Ludwigsburg, Augsburg, Frankfurt, Brussels, Bern, Zurich, Geneva, Lyon, Paris, London. This is far from being the full itinerary of their travels. In Frankfurt, Wolfgang performed his own violin concerto, and among the audience was the 14-year-old Goethe. Reception at the court of Louis XV. Performances in luxurious Versailles during the Christmas holidays, and - after them - tenderness and enthusiastic squealing of the French aristocracy. The works of seven-year-old Mozart (four violin sonatas) were first published in Paris. Then London (April 1764): for more than a year. Just a few days after they arrived, they were already received by King George III.

Concert

Only princes of royal blood were honored to communicate with the monarchs of the leading countries of Europe, and even then not only what kind of princes, but belonging (like almost all European autocrats, including Russian ones) to the Habsburg family (another element of the world order established by the Austrian imperial house). With a large gathering of the public, the children demonstrated their phenomenal musical abilities, much like the circus children walking on a tightrope - their own. Johann Christian Bach, who lived in London, one of the sons of the great J.S. Bach, saw in Wolfgang a great genius, and not a living toy. Appreciated by London society no less than Handel, Johann Christian was a truly outstanding composer.

Mozart in London (age 11), portrait by
J. Vander Smissen

In his widely known work, the Soviet musicologist B. Levik describes how, having put Wolfgang on his knees, the famous composer played with him in four hands, or in turn, performing harpsichord sonatas. The child and the wise husband caught each other's style so subtly that even when they played - each in turn, 4-8 bars each, it seemed that the same musician was playing. It is no accident that the young composer wrote his first symphonies in London. They appeared under the influence of personality and music, and the lessons of Johann Christian Bach.

After London, in The Hague (September 1765), Wolfgang and Nannerl barely survived, suffering severe pneumonia. The boy went on the mend only in February 1766. Despite this, the tour continues. The names of cities flashed like roadside posts. And, as if specially according to the laws of classical dramaturgy, Munich again puts an end to it, where the Bavarian elector again listens to the child prodigy, marveling at the successes he has made in such a short time. They didn't stay in Salzburg. In September 1767, the whole family had already arrived in Vienna. The terrible smallpox epidemic that raged there, with its bony hand, managed to touch the children in the Czech Republic, where it released them only by December. And, already in January 1768, without wasting time, they reappear in Vienna, having received a reception at court. It was then that the fateful intrigues of the Viennese musicians sounded like a leitmotif of fate, due to which the production of the first opera written by a child prodigy, " La finta semplice"("Imaginary simpleton"), was thwarted.

Mozart in 1789. Drawing by Doris Stock

It is significant that it was during that period, at the end of the 1760s, that the young Mozart outlined the main directions of his composer interests: he tried himself in the genres of opera, mass (his great mass for choir and orchestra was performed at the opening of the church), concerto (for trumpet) , symphonies (K. 45a; performed in Lambach, in the Benedictine monastery), sonatas, quartets. This period of Mozart's work has already been included in the classification of Ludwig von Koechel (the letter K in front of the serial number of the composition), who periodized and divided into opuses all the work of the great composer; this classification, supplemented and rethought (the largest revision - 1964), has survived to this day.

Musical heart Austrian Empire, undoubtedly, was Italy: where fine taste, school, canons and exactingness surpassed everything that could then be found in Europe. It is no coincidence that Mozart the father left the tour of Italy "for a snack", having previously strengthened his position in other countries. And yet he was not yet sure that he could conquer Italy; therefore, intensive studies and preparation for the trip lasted 11 (!) months (Salzburg). In total, Wolfgang moved with his father through the Alps 3 times, having spent a total of more than a year in Italy (1769 - 1771). Despite all the fears and skepticism, the tour of Italy turned out to be a brilliant triumph. It was possible to conquer everyone: the highest elite circles, the supreme authorities, the aristocracy in a general sense, the general public, and even pretentious musicians. The Mozarts were received and favored by Pope Clement XIV (July 8, 1770, he granted Wolfgang the Order of the Golden Spur) and Cardinal, (Erc-) Duke of Milan and Neopolitan Ferdinand IV of Naples, and other rulers. No less warm welcome was rendered to them by local musicians. In Milan N. Picchini and Giuseppe Sammartini meet with Wolfgang, in Naples the head of the local opera school N. Iommelli, composers Giuseppe Paisiello and Maio. In Rome, Mozart listened to the famous " Miserere"Allegri, whose notes were forbidden to be rewritten and taken out under pain of punishment. Wolfgang, leaving the church, recorded the entire work from memory. No one had such a phenomenal musical ("spatial"!) Memory.

House in Salzburg where Mozart was born

Commissions for essays became the crowning success. In Milan, Mozart-son was ordered an opera seria for the carnival season. In Bologna, he is engaged in counterpoint under the guidance of the legendary teacher - Padre Martini, and proceeds to fulfill the order: the opera "Mitridate, re di Ponto" ("Mithridates, king of Pontus"). Martini insisted that Mozart go through the test of the famous Bologna Philharmonic Academy. After the exam, the academy accepted him as a member. At Christmas New Opera successfully passed in Milan. Followed by a new order - " Ascanio in Alba". In August 1771, father and son appear in Milan to prepare him. The opera, which premiered on October 17, was a great success.

1770. Mozart in Verona, Italy (Salieri was born near Verona)

In Italy, young Mozart had a bright future. This country, its mentality, its atmosphere - best of all corresponded to the character of Mozart's genius, his sunny cheerfulness, hedonism, open and benevolent character. Not surprisingly, his father understood this best. Leopold Mozart is trying by all means to obtain a place for his son in Italy, trying to secure him there. Before the upcoming wedding of Archduke Ferdinand - and the festivities on this occasion in Milan - Leopold insistently asks the Archduke to take Wolfgang into his service. According to the existing legend, Ferdinand satisfies this request.

And here something absolutely fantastic begins; at the very least, inexplicable.

When it became clear that - after the royal letter - Wolfgang could not get a job, a place, a livelihood, father and son reluctantly returned to Salzburg, to their sweet, but disgusting cage. Another strange, macabre coincidence immediately followed, "greeting" them in their native city with a gloomy cannonade. December 16, 1771, exactly on the day of their return, their ardent admirer and good patron, Prince-Archbishop Sigismund, dies. His successor, Count Hieronymus Colloredo, was hardly the monster depicted in thousands of biographical sketches. Firstly, Colloredo accepts the young composer into his service, ensuring his existence with an annual salary of 150 guilders, which is quite enough for Salzburg at that time. Secondly, he orders him a "dramatic serenade" Il sogno di Scipione"(" The Dream of Scipio "), about his inaugural celebrations (April 1772); thirdly, he gives permission for Wolfgang to travel to Milan to prepare a new opera" Lucio Silla"(from late autumn 1772 to spring 1773).

The letter of the Empress, which was devastating for his career, and the death of Archbishop Sigismund, could not but cause psychological trauma, and the opera turned out to be not as successful as the previous ones, without evoking the usual public response; however, even this cannot explain the complete lack of new orders and the strangely hostile attitude. No, this is a clear conspiracy organized against the Mozarts at a very high level. Wolfgang's father probed the situation by appealing for patronage to the Grand Duke of Florence Leopold, patron of the arts and guardian of art. The duke's reaction was cool, which meant only one thing: someone was interfering with the career of a young genius in Italy. After several more attempts to get the support of higher circles, Leopold was forced to leave this country forever. B. Levik calls Mozart's third stay in Italy the last relatively bright streak of his life.

In the capital of the empire, Vienna, everything that took place in Italy was repeated. The deaf alertness of those in power and other influential people, sometimes turning into open hostility, intrigues in musical circles, hard pressure. In Salzburg, Mozart finds himself in a position that can be called house arrest without great exaggeration. Deprived of all hope, cut off from further career, he seeks salvation and solace in creativity, writing furiously. Quartets, symphonies (K. 183, 200, 201), spiritual compositions, divertissements: genre "omnivory" - these are the earliest symptoms of graphomania. As you can see, those who hounded him are to blame for the development of this creative "illness" in Mozart. The relaxation of the Salzburg "house arrest" came in connection with the composition and production of a new Munich opera (for the carnival of 1775), " La finta giardiniera"(" Imaginary gardener "), one of the most important milestones in his work.

The provincial life of Salzburg and the intolerance of a dependent position overwhelmed Mozart's patience. He breaks with the new archbishop (the final break occurred during the Munich production of the opera Idomnea, in 1781), becoming the first musician in history to reject a dependent position. He speaks of the archbishop in the harshest terms, calling the latter a scumbag, and other swear words, which is completely unusual for a time when class barriers and social hierarchy seemed indestructible. It is noteworthy that the break with the archbishop marked the beginning of attempts to "break with Austria" in general, i.e. leave for good. This intention of fleeing abroad, into emigration, was also supported by Leopold. However, the arms of the Austrian monarchy were very long, long enough to prevent Wolfgang from gaining a foothold in any other capital. The degree of Austrian determination imperial dynasty even such a very perspicacious and sober person as his father underestimated the expansion of his "guardianship" over Mozart to foreign countries.

In September 1777, Wolfgang went with his mother to Paris, with the firm intention of staying there. The way there lay through the German states, where it turned out that Mozart was in disgrace, almost persona nongrata. The Elector of Munich almost defiantly refused him. On the way, mother and son stopped at Mannheim, an important opera center in Germany. And here, at the court of Karl Theodor, Mozart received a demonstrative refusal. Contrary to the attitude of higher circles, local instrumentalists and vocalists warmly and friendly welcomed Mozart. But that's not what made him stay. He fell madly in love with the singer Aloisia Weber. Her magnificent voice (a chic coloratura soprano) and bright stage appearance played an important role. However, hopes for a big concert tour with her were not destined to come true. At first, she sympathizes with Wolfgang, and in January 1778 they both go (incognito) to the court of the Princess of Nassau-Weilburg. Obviously, the cheerful nature of the young genius refuses to accept the scenario of conspiracy and accountability (in the "Mozart affair") of all these petty princes, princes and princesses of the Austrian crown. One must think that the refusal of the Princess of Nassau-Weilburg had a sobering effect on the pragmatic Aloisia, and she lost interest in Mozart. Hoping to revive him, Wolfgang lets his mother go to Salzburg, while he himself remains. However, the father, who found out that his child did not go to Paris accompanied by Mannheim musicians (as reported), but wandered aimlessly around Mannheim in paroxysms of unrequited love, with all his paternal authority forced his son to immediately go to Paris with his mother.

In 1778, he was offered the position of court organist at Versailles, under the direct patronage of the sister of the Austrian Emperor Joseph, Marie Antoinette. However, in France, the British King George III is gaining more and more influence, for an inexplicable circumstance, as well as Empress Maria Theresa, Mozart's antagonist. The French court had just officially withdrawn its support for the revolt of the American colonies against the British king.

Mozart, while in France, mainly visits the circles that supported the American Revolution. For ten days he collaborated with Johann Christian Bach, who arrived from London, at the residence of the aristocratic de Noaille family, related to the Marquis de Lafayette, who went to America to fight against British troops. However, all these circumstances alone cannot explain the presence of a completely impenetrable wall in the way of the professional establishment of such an outstanding musician as Mozart in a city such as Paris.

It is interesting that Mozart anticipates the future Parisian tragedy, as can be seen from his letters. The blank wall that surrounded him in Italy and Germany, impenetrable and ruthless, was also found in Paris. Everywhere, wherever Mozart went, they were already warned about his appearance, and instructed accordingly. Immediately upon arrival, back in March 1778, it turned out that court circles were hostile. Neither the resounding success of two new Mozart symphonies, nor the arrival of Christian Bach from London, who did everything in his power for Mozart and used all his connections, nor the participation of other famous and influential personalities, broke the enmity. And this says only one thing: the architecture of this insurmountable wall was born on the highest political Olympus. However, the stay in Paris, in addition to the "earthly", physical harassment, was colored by some sinister, satanic bacchanalia of esoteric forces that flocked here to resist the bright genius. A chain of outwardly unrelated gloomy events sets its black milestones. On July 3, the composer's mother dies, which coincides with the general apotheosis of the rampant dark forces. Evil, death, mystery, everything unknowable and incomprehensible hypnotize us, and, as if in a trance, Mozart is in no hurry to leave Paris, from where he is pulled out by his father's severe order.

Depressed, killed, Mozart calls in Mannheim, still hoping for the reciprocal love of Aloisia Weber, as the last joy of life. Full awareness the fact that she would never become his mistress dealt him the last cruel blow, plunging him into a state of unrestrained depression. Terrible entreaties, curses and even threats from his father may have saved him from certain death, tearing him out of Mannheim and bringing him home to Salzburg. Such dramatic experiences for another would be enough to mentally de-energize and interrupt musical inspiration. However, for Mozart, it is creativity that becomes one of the last connections with life. His talent deepens so much, growing into an unsurpassed genius, that not a single composer of his era can be compared with him. Any genre touched by the magical Mozart pen blossoms with all colors, starting to live a higher spiritual, esoteric life. Pushkin said wonderfully about him in his little tragedy "Mozart and Salieri": "What depth! What courage and what harmony!" It is the boldness of thought that most distinguishes Mozart's writing. In comparison of emotional states, psychologism, philosophy of music, in vivid figurative means, he surpassed anyone else. Not to mention that he was the greatest melodist. These years bring a number of profound church works, such as " missa solemnis" in C major and "Coronation Mass" (K. 337), operas (" Idomeneo, re di Creta"(" Idomeneo, King of Crete "), and other works. In April 1781, the conflict between Mozart and Archbishop Colloredo develops into a scandalous personal squabble, after which a resignation was submitted, and on June 8 Mozart was humiliatingly put out the door.

Following these turbulent events, Mozart's marriage took place, and to none other than his sister Aloysia Weber. He marries her against the will of his father, who, in dozens of angry letters, begs him to break with Constanze. The wedding ceremony took place on August 4, 1782 at the Vienna Cathedral of St. Stephen. Spouses with the same disgust relate to the conduct of financial affairs, which cannot but affect the tragic end of life; however, in his personal life, Mozart appears to be happy with Constanze, and this stimulates his creativity.

Constanza Weber, Mozart's wife

When Mozart was at the side of his pursuers, in their own home (Vienna), the rules of the game changed. Certain attitudes did not allow them to spoil in private quarters, and until a certain moment, if Mozart is not left alone, then outwardly they tolerate him, without interfering (for the time being) in the course of his professional career. In addition, Maria Theresa was replaced on the throne by her son Joseph II, an extraordinary personality, and Vienna came to life, hoping for a brighter future. In July 1782 a new opera in German "Die Enfhrung aus dem Serail" ("Abduction from the Seraglio"), staged at the Burgtheater, made a splash. Mozart becomes a people's favorite and idol. His melodies are heard everywhere: in houses, in coffee houses and on the streets. Even court aristocratic circles are treated with feigned favor. Performing, teaching and composing music bring a good income.

It is curious to note that tickets for his concerts (called academies), distributed by subscription, were not only completely sold out, but often supplemented by extra seats. In 1784, Mozart gave 22 concertos in just six months. All this can be considered in the conditions of Vienna, where there was no shortage of performances, premieres, concerts, composers and musicians, as a phenomenon of a phenomenal order. The extraordinary success of his instrumental music stimulated the composition of a whole series of piano concertos. Mozart's wife, Constanza, although, apparently, was not such a great singer as Aloisia, nevertheless, she could well perform on the professional stage. For example, in October 1783, she performed one of the solo parts in her husband's (perhaps) best mass - g-moll (K. 427), written on the occasion of his visit (to Salzburg) to his father Leopold and sister Nannerl. On the way to Vienna, the couple stops in Linz, where Mozart writes the brilliant Linz Symphony (K. 425).

Unknown portrait Mozart found in Russia

Since 1784, a sincere and close friendship begins between the two greatest composers of Austria: Mozart and Joseph Haydn. Later, the young Beethoven meets both. At the performance of the quartets of the young genius, Haydn addressed Mozart's father, Leopold, with these words: "Your son is the greatest composer of all whom I personally know or have heard of." A cycle of six quartets, in which the influence of Haydn is felt, Mozart dedicated to him. However, the influence was not one-sided. We need to talk about interaction. Haydn in his later writings repeated the findings and features of the writing of his younger contemporary. Just like Christian Bach, Haydn was one of Mozart's guardian angels, a bright and kind patron. However, it was probably he who drew the young Wolfgang into Freemasonry, immediately in the year of their rapprochement. The Freemasons consisted of many Viennese celebrities - poets, artists, writers, scientists, public figures, doctors, musicians. Freemasonry has paved a wide road for itself in aristocratic court circles. However, for Mozart, joining the Freemasons was another fatalistic, fatally tragic circumstance, possibly bringing his untimely death closer.

Mozart took Masonic symbols and mottos at face value, not because he was so naive, but because, having a whole personality, wanted accept. (Masonry by that time was actively crushed by the Illuminati and the forces behind them). In the Masonic environment, they try to stop such well-wishers by any means in order to prevent the separation of the external entourage form of existence from the secret goals and plans of leaders. It is all the more dangerous for the most influential Masonic lodges to propagate this external paraphernalia ("freedom, equality, fraternity") through outstanding works of art. To order a doomed man a requiem for his own demise: this is very in the style of Masonic massacres.

Coincidence or not, but it was after the entry of Mozart into the Freemasons that the previous persecution resumed. His brilliant opera Le nozze di Figaro("The Marriage of Figaro") - along with "Don Giovanni" and "Magic Flute" - the pinnacle of his operatic work - despite obvious success, was removed shortly after the premiere (May 1, 1786), replaced at the "Burgtheater" by a new opera by V. Martina y Solera" Una cosa rara"("A rare thing"). But in Prague, the success of this opera turned out to be simply stunning, which coincided with the political aspirations and premonitions of the citizens of Prague. Seeking independence from the Austrian Empire, the Czechs felt in Mozart's opera, written on the plot of Beaumarchais's censored comedy, a breath of fresh air. It became almost a national Czech opera. street, in the market - everywhere. The composer himself conducted several performances. In January 1787, he spent more than a month in Prague with Constanta, admitting later that, after Italy, it was the most happy time in his life. On the other hand, one can easily imagine what displeasure the revival of separatist sentiments in the Czech Republic caused at the Austrian court, and what royal wrath in connection with this must have incurred the culprit: the Mozart opera.

It was Bondini, director of the Prague theater opera company, who commissioned a new opera, Don Giovanni. There are suggestions that Mozart himself chose the plot. Under the name " Don Giovanni she began her triumphal procession along opera houses world (premier - in Prague October 29, 1787). Nevertheless, no success in Prague could fix the "Viennese bummer", the tone of which was set by the filming of "The Marriage of Figaro" and the deliberate (artificial) failure of "Don Giovanni" in the same Vienna (at the reception after the performance, only Haydn stood up to defend the opera) . One after another, Mozart's other compositions are blocked or fail, and his most profitable students go to other teachers (according to our data - Barbara PLOYER, Josepha AUERNHAMMER, and others). The years 1786 and 1787 were fatal, turning points in the fate of the composer. He is completely crushed and doomed, torn to pieces by intrigues, persecution and simply gloomy circumstances. As in Paris, not only Mozart's cruel enemies, insidious and ruthless, gathered to deal with him, but also "otherworldly" dark forces that flocked to the bloody feast of the execution of the bright genius, for the sake of asserting evil and injustice on earth. In May 1787, the composer's father dies, after whose death depression and despondency became Mozart's constant companions. Sarcasm, irony and gloomy pessimism are established in his thoughts until the very end of his short life.

Getting the position of court composer and bandmaster of Emperor Joseph II did not solve anything, especially since the size of the salary emphasized the subtle poison of humiliation (only 800 guilders annually). Backed into a corner, Mozart borrows money from Michael Puchberg, a member of the same Masonic lodge he belongs to. Unable to return a large sum money to Prince Likhnovsky, he faces a lawsuit, which he later loses. A trip to Berlin, in order to improve financial affairs, brought only new debts. Like other kings, the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm II did not give Mozart a place at court. Since 1789, the health of Constanta, and then of Wolfgang himself, worsened, the house and other property, ready to go under the hammer, were mortgaged. A year later, after the death of Joseph II, Mozart is not even sure that the position of court composer, with its small, but still constant income, will remain with him. He goes to Frankfurt - where the coronation of Emperor Leopold took place - at his own expense, hoping to be in sight, not to miss the moment. However, the performance of his "Coronation" clavier concerto (K. 537) did not bring money even to cover the cost of the trip. Did not correct the situation and the new opera " Cosi fan tutte"(That's what everyone does").

In Vienna, saying goodbye, Mozart told Haydn, who was leaving for London, and his London impresario Zalmon, that they would never see each other again. Seeing off both, Mozart cried like a child, and kept repeating: "We will not see each other again, no." Until his death, he had to write his the best works: "Die Zauberflote"("Magic Flute"), Requiem, and several symphonic scores.

The opera was commissioned for him by his longtime friend E. Schikaneder, a musician, writer, impresario and actor, for his Fry House Theatre. (At the same time, the Prague Opera ordered him " La clemenza di Tito"(" The Mercy of Titus "), on the creation and production of which he worked together with his wife Constance and student Franz Xaver Süssmayr (Franz Xaver Süßmayer); for its preparation, the three of them go to Prague. The premiere of The Magic Flute took place in Vienna on September 30, 1791 His last instrumental composition was a concerto for clarinet and orchestra a-moll (K. 622).

The countdown of the days of Mozart's life was now based on the work on the Requiem, which - as it happened - Mozart actually wrote on his death. A guest, an unknown person, dressed in all gray, came to the sick composer and anonymously ordered a Requiem. This episode made a strong impression on the patient's imagination. Mozart was sure that he was composing the Requiem for himself. He, exhausted, worked on the score, feverishly trying to finish it with his own hand. Constance, who was being treated in Baden, hurried back home as soon as she realized how seriously ill her husband was. From November 20, 1791, Mozart no longer got out of bed, and wrote music while lying down. On the night of December 4-5 he became delirious; he imagined that he was playing the timpani in Dies irae his unfinished Requiem. At about five minutes past midnight, he tried to get up, onomatopoeia of the timpani part with his lips, but fell back, head to the wall, and froze, lifeless.

Mozart was buried like a beggar among the beggars in the chapel of St. Stephen. On the last journey to the cemetery of St. Mark Mozart's body went alone, and was buried without honors, without witnesses, in a common grave for the poor. Later, the very location of this grave was completely forgotten. Neither a cross, nor a monument, nor even a modest tombstone has ever been erected. A tombstone, not material, but spiritual, was erected for his great teacher by Süssmayr, who finished the Requiem, setting to music and orchestrating those by no means small fragments of the text that Mozart himself missed (some of the arrangements were made protege Mozart, Joseph Eybler. In the same way, other composers completed the greatest compositions of Schubert, Mussorgsky, Scriabin, and other geniuses endowed with a similar fate. None of Mozart's brilliant piano concertos, none of his mature symphonies, were published during his lifetime.

Monstrous injustice, persecution, intrigue and envy: the fate of the most winged, brightest people on sinful earth, and the fate of the great Mozart, like in a mirror, reflected the fate of thousands and millions of other talented and pure creators of the spirit.

It seems that the legend of the poisoning of Mozart was born among the Austrian political and aristocratic elite as a desire to divert the blame for the non-recognition and death of the great composer from the political regime, which is in a permanent crisis and falls under the hammer of even more reactionary forces of the political regime, shifting it onto the shoulders of a private individual (Salieri ). And the true motive-cause of Mozart's death (political despotism (from ferocious censorship to the imposition of "permitted" aesthetics) is artificially replaced by settling personal scores. Even if Salieri really poisoned Mozart, he would have done it on the orders of Emperor Leopold or someone else. However, without physically killing his rival and friend, Salieri - with his bureaucracy and subtle intrigues - greatly poisoned his life. Salieri was a court toy and a tool of the court against Mozart. We will talk about the degree of his guilt before the world musical genius in the future.

Autograph "Marriage of Figaro"

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Lev Gunin

THE LIFE OF MOZART AND ITS MYSTERIES

PART ONE

(ENDING)

3. INFLUENCES

The music of Leopold Mozart, the father of the great composer, is often heard on the waves of Montreal music radio stations. It is in libraries and record libraries. It is not difficult for the ear of an inexperienced listener to confuse it with the music of his illustrious son. A professional musician immediately understands that this is not Wolfgang Amadeus, although it is difficult to say right off the bat what is “missing” in the music of Mozart the Father. Probably, bright melody, aspiration, brilliance and courage of thought, equal to "Mozart's". The works of Leopold Mozart are "too" academic and "correct", although they also have a fresh, versatile feeling. The strong influence of Haydn is striking. One thing is clear: the mature Mozart-son is the same Leopold Mozart-father, only deepened, expanded, ennobled and purposeful.

The influence of Petzold and Telemann, Buxtehude, Schutz and Bürgmüller can be traced through strong-willed and life-affirming motives, often following the sounds of a tonic triad. Mozart's favorite variants of cadences are sometimes "supplemented" with typically Telemannian intonations.

The drama of minor symphonies (for example, two g-moll "nyh) evokes the features of the symphony of J. Wahnhal. In Salzburg, Mozart was influenced by Michael Haydn, Joseph's brother, who largely shared the style of the latter. However, Mozart never shows "usus tyrannus "("shackles of custom"; Serov's expression); he violates any canon if something gets in the way of his self-expression. As the well-known musician in Montreal Yuli Turovsky likes to say, geniuses do everything "wrong". Note that pomposity, triumphal intonations and heaviness not only of Handel, but also early representative Vienna School- Gluck - repels Mozart. During his stay in Paris, he reports almost nothing about Gluck's operas, although the whole of Paris was buzzing about the enmity between Picchinists and Glucinists, and the creations of the Viennese classic invariably caused a terrible stir. There is no doubt that Mozart was not influenced by the Austrian, but rather by the Italian and German school of opera, and that he knew the masterpieces of Monteverdi, Bellini, Donizetti, Scarlatti, Piccini, etc. However, the main models for study and imitation were for him the Italian operas of Paisiello (Neapolitan composer, among others who met with the young Wolfgang during his stay in Naples (1770); later - the court bandmaster in St. Petersburg under Catherine the Great: 1776 - 1784 ), Domenico Cimarosa (court composer in St. Petersburg - from 1787 to 1791), and Antonio Salieri (older friend and rival, consultant and mentor of Mozart). Interestingly, Martin y Soler, a musician of Spanish origin who composed Italian operas, another dangerous rival of Mozart, was also a court composer in St. Petersburg. Giovanni Battista Casti, Salieri's main librettist and rival of Mozart's main librettist, Da Ponte, also lived and worked for some time in Russia, in St. Petersburg. In Mannheim, Mozart was greatly impressed by I. Goldenbauer's opera "Günther von Schwarzburg". Gluck's influence still took place, especially the operatic-choral style of the latter.

Saturation of Mozart's works with German folklore happened in no small part thanks to Emanuel Schikaneder, whom Wolfgang met in the late 1770s. "Luffy", itinerant folk theater troupes visited Salzburg, and one of these theaters was directed by Schikaneder - an impresario, actor, director, musician, writer and playwright. Shikaneder proclaimed freedom from despotism, nationality, love for national culture, freethinking and overcoming the fetters of orthodox thinking with all the strength of his lungs. It was he who was Mozart's partner in creating the pinnacle of Mozart's operatic creativity: The Magic Flute. Schikaneder not only ordered this opera, but also created a brilliant libretto, highly valued by Goethe. The aesthetics of Mozart and Schikaneder anticipated Weber and Wagner, and were the most advanced for that time. Shikaneder became another bright guardian angel of Mozart in the host of his "squires".

The elegant, effortless style of Christian Bach is cited as one of the strongest influences. His "smart", intricate music, sincerity and sincerity, Italian clarity and plasticity not only of melodies cantabile, but also harmonies, slender beauty and crystal purity of form: all this was continued and developed in Mozart's compositions. The work of Johann Christian's father - the great J.S. Bach - Mozart began to seriously study relatively late (as well as Handel). The pinnacle of the spiritual music of Wolfgang Amadeus, his Requiem - reflects the undoubted influence of J. S. Bach. We must not forget that Mozart had excellent teachers, the best in that era: his own father, Padre Martini, Christian Bach, Joseph Haydn, and others. It was thanks to them that Wolfgang masterfully mastered counterpoint, harmony, arrangement, and other elements of composing technique. We will talk about the impact of Salieri in the corresponding chapter.

in the chamber and symphonic music one can feel the greater influence of the Viennese composers of the older generation, such as Wagenseil and Monn. No less important was the influence of Italian masters - Frescobaldi, Allegri, Albioni, Bellini, A. Corelli, L. Boccherini, A. Vivaldi, J. Batista Vitali, Marcello Benedetto, Domenico and Alesandro Scarlatti, Giovanni Agrell, Domenico Zipoli, Attilio Ariosti, Giuseppe Tartini, G. Pergolesi, Domenico Gabrielli, and others. Italian music, this boundless ocean of hundreds (or thousands?) of peculiar, often very bright talents, had an undoubted influence on Mozart. The closeness to its typical features, Italian predecessors, contemporaries and even followers (a paradox, but true) is especially felt in the clavier music of the genius. Muzio Clementi, Dominico Scarlatti, Cimarosa, and other outstanding clavier composers had much in common with Mozart's clavier style. Penetration into the intonational sphere of Mozart intonations of the Slavic type is also caught by a sensitive ear.

Mozart's love of life, spontaneity, sincere warmth, sparkling or very lyrical presentation of the main themes, their brightness, simplicity and vocal melodiousness, and a complex attitude to harmonies are related to Mozart's Italian music. Perhaps Mozart was also influenced by French harpsichordists: Rameau, Lully and Couperin. Undoubtedly the influence of the English composer Purcell in some of the interludes. Separate places in chamber works Mozart "reminds" of Leclerc.

Mozart is a pan-European phenomenon, alive, comprehensive, direct and infinite. Therefore, any European culture may consider it his own.

(end of the first part )

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Name: Wolfgang MozartWolfgang Mozart

Age: 35 years

Place of Birth: Salzburg, Austria

A place of death: Vienna, Austria

Activity: composer, organist, pianist

Family status: was married

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Biography

Mozart knew early success and fame, composed more than six hundred brilliant works. Concerts, operas, symphonies and sonatas are performed by orchestras in many countries and studied in all music schools in the world. Great virtuoso, which were subject to several instruments capable of extracting musical sounds. The composer had absolute pitch and an amazing memory.

Childhood, Mozart family

Wolfgang was born in the family of a violinist who served with Count Strattenbach in his chapel at court. Not all of the numerous children born to the Mozart couple were able to survive. The future composer was born an extremely weak baby, the left ear had a defect at birth. But all this did not prevent the boy from surviving and glorifying the clan and surname of his father. Maria Anna and Wolfgang were born four years apart in age. Children already at the very beginning of their biography learned the basics of music.

The father taught his daughter to play the harpsichord, and the three-year-old kid was already listening to the enchanting sounds, approached the instrument, gradually trying to play some of the melodies he heard. Seeing how his son was drawn to music, Leopold Mozart began teaching the boy to play the instrument from the age of four. A year later, the child himself composed small plays. From the age of six, he independently mastered playing the violin. young musician, like his sister, received an excellent home education. Wolfgang was a very capable boy who comprehended any subject with enthusiasm.

Mozart's talent

From the age of six, the son pleased the musician's father with his abilities: Nannerl (that was the name of the girl in the family) sang, and Wolfgang Amadeus inspiredly played his own and other people's plays. The head of the family decides to go with the children on a tour of Europe. Most of the audience gathered blind concerts. Mozart Sr. blindfolded the child, put a handkerchief on the harpsichord. The boy did not need to see, he felt the music, he predicted every sound, knew the location of each key on the instrument.

At such performances, the child was never mistaken or out of tune. This surprised and delighted the audience. Success and material well-being came to the Mozart family, but the trip to the cities dragged on for years. Along the way, in France, four sonatas of the young composer were published in print, in England, the youngest son of the great composer Bach gave several lessons to the boy and predicted a great future. All family members got tired of the busy concert schedule and returned to their hometown.

Growing up of a young composer

When the young Mozart was 14 years old, his father sent him to Italy. At that time, in one of the cities of Italy, there were competitions of musicians, among whom most were of the same age as the father of a teenage virtuoso. At the Academy, Wolfgang was recognized as a genius and elected as the youngest academician. All other successful composers began their biography with the title of academician only at the age of twenty.

When Mozart returned to his Salzburg, he completely immersed himself in writing. But no matter how bold his works become from year to year, young composer needed a teacher. It became such for the musician. Wolfgang easily found friends, as in adulthood he was cheerful and childishly naive. Many noted that Mozart could keep up the conversation with a cheerful joke.

First difficulties

Young Mozart began to work as the archbishop of the court, sometimes visited Paris and Germany. Financial difficulties did not allow the whole family to travel. Now the concerts did not seem brilliant to the public, and the composer's mother, who alone volunteered to accompany her son, died in the capital of France. Wolfgang was tired of being in the position of a servant at court, and he moved to Vienna, the capital of Austria. There he created famous operas about Figaro, the magic flute and Don Giovanni.

The fees grew, the incredible success and demand for the composer's music came. But soon Mozart's father died, his wife fell ill, and huge funds were needed for her treatment. There has been a change of power in royal family, and the new king did not favor the musician.

Wolfgang Mozart - biography of personal life

In Vienna, Wolfgang met his only wife, Constance Weber, for the first time and for the rest of his life. He lived with her parents in an apartment upon arrival in the capital of Austria. Against the will of the composer's father, the wedding of young people took place. Of Mozart's children, only Karl and Franz survived.

The biography of the famous musician ended abruptly. The difficult financial situation, the creeping illness in the form of a fever had a negative effect on the health of the composer.

Death of Mozart

The cause of death, which A.S. Pushkin spoke about in his work, did not find official confirmation. The composer, in fact, was not as gifted as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. But the almost beggarly existence of the great genius in the last years of his life poisoned his condition more than the poison from the hands of Salieri.

The composer's funeral was not magnificent; he was buried in a common grave. His remains have never been found. The sick wife of Mozart, who suddenly became a widow, did not say goodbye to her husband. Numerous processions did not follow the coffin of the musician. The genius of music lived brightly and quickly faded away, he was only thirty-five years old.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, full name Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgang Amadeus Theophilus Mozart was born Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgang Amadeus Theophilus Mozart on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg. He was the seventh child in the family of Leopold and Anna Maria Mozart, née Pertl.

His father, Leopold Mozart (1719-1787), was a composer and theorist, since 1743 he was a violinist in the court orchestra of the Salzburg archbishop. Of the seven Mozart children, two survived: Wolfgang and his older sister Maria Anna.

In the 1760s, the father abandoned his own career and devoted himself to the education of his children.

Thanks to his phenomenal musical abilities, Wolfgang played the harpsichord from the age of four, began to compose from the age of five or six, created the first symphonies at the age of eight or nine, and the first works for musical theater at the age of 10-11.

Since 1762, Mozart and his sister, pianist Maria Anna, accompanied by their parents, toured Germany, Austria, France, England, Switzerland, etc.

Many European courts got acquainted with their art, in particular, they were adopted at the court of the French and English kings Louis XV and George III. Wolfgang's four violin sonatas were first published in Paris in 1764.

In 1767 Mozart's school opera Apollo and Hyacinth was staged at the University of Salzburg. In 1768, during a trip to Vienna, Wolfgang Mozart received commissions for operas in the genres of the Italian buff opera (The Pretend Simple Girl) and the German Singspiel (Bastien et Bastienne).

Mozart's stay in Italy was especially fruitful, where he improved his counterpoint (polyphony) with the composer and musicologist Giovanni Battista Martini (Bologna) and staged the opera Mithridates, King of Pontus (1770) and Lucius Sulla (1771) in Milan.

In 1770, at the age of 14, Mozart was awarded the papal Order of the Golden Spur and elected a member of the Philharmonic Academy in Bologna.

In December 1771 he returned to Salzburg, from 1772 he served as an accompanist at the court of the prince-archbishop. In 1777 he retired from the service and went with his mother to Paris in search of a new job. After the death of his mother in 1778, he returned to Salzburg.

In 1779, the composer again entered the service of the archbishop as an organist at court. During this period, he composed mainly church music, but commissioned by Elector Karl Theodor, he wrote the opera Idomeneo, King of Crete, staged in Munich in 1781. In the same year, Mozart wrote a letter of resignation.

In July 1782, his opera The Abduction from the Seraglio was staged at the Vienna Burgtheater, which was a great success. Mozart became the idol of Vienna, not only in court and aristocratic circles, but also among concertgoers from the third estate. Tickets for concerts (the so-called academies) of Mozart, distributed by subscription, were completely sold out. In 1784, the composer gave 22 concerts within six weeks.

In 1786, the premieres of Mozart's small musical comedy The Theater Director and the opera The Marriage of Figaro based on the comedy by Beaumarchais took place. After Vienna, The Marriage of Figaro was staged in Prague, where it met with an enthusiastic reception, as did Mozart's next opera, The Punished Libertine, or Don Giovanni (1787).

For the Vienna Imperial Theater Mozart wrote a cheerful opera "They are all like that, or the School of Lovers" ("That's what all women do", 1790).

The opera "Mercy of Titus" on an antique plot, timed to coincide with the coronation celebrations in Prague (1791), was received coldly.

In 1782-1786, one of the main genres of Mozart's work was the piano concerto. During this time he wrote 15 concertos (Nos. 11-25); they were all intended for Mozart's public performances as a composer, soloist and conductor.

In the late 1780s, Mozart served as court composer and bandmaster to the Austrian Emperor Joseph II.

In 1784, the composer became a Freemason, Masonic ideas were traced in a number of his later works, especially in the opera The Magic Flute (1791).

In March 1791 Mozart gave his last public speaking, presenting the Piano Concerto (B Flat Major, KV 595).

In September 1791 he completed his last instrumental composition, the Clarinet Concerto in A major, and in November, the Little Masonic Cantata.

In total, Mozart wrote over 600 musical works, including 16 masses, 14 operas and singspiel, 41 symphonies, 27 piano concertos, five violin concertos, eight concertos for wind instruments with an orchestra, many divertissements and serenades for the orchestra or various instrumental ensembles, 18 piano sonatas, over 30 sonatas for violin and piano, 26 string kvar tetes, six string quintets, a number of works for other chamber ensembles, an innumerable number of instrumental pieces, variations, songs, small secular and church vocal compositions.

In the summer of 1791, the composer received an anonymous order to compose the "Requiem" (as it turned out later, the customer was Count Walsegg-Stuppach, who was widowed in February of that year). Mozart, worked on the score, being ill, until his strength left him. He managed to create the first six parts and left the seventh part (Lacrimosa) unfinished.

On the night of December 5, 1791, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died in Vienna. Since King Leopold II banned individual burials, Mozart was buried in a common grave in St. Mark's Cemetery.

The Requiem was completed by Mozart's pupil Franz Xaver Süssmayr (1766-1803) according to instructions given by the dying composer.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was married to Constance Weber (1762-1842), they had six children, four of whom died in infancy. The eldest son Carl Thomas (1784-1858) studied at the Milan Conservatory but became an official. The younger son Franz Xaver (1791-1844) was a pianist and composer.

The widow of Wolfgang Mozart in 1799 handed over her husband's manuscripts to the publisher Johann Anton André. Subsequently, Constanza married the Danish diplomat Georg Nissen, who, with her help, wrote a biography of Mozart.

In 1842, the first monument to the composer was unveiled in Salzburg. In 1896, a monument to Mozart was erected on Albertinaplatz in Vienna, in 1953 it was moved to the Palace Garden.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - one of the masters classical music. He was born more than 260 years ago - on January 27, 1756. His parents were Austrians Leopold and Anna-Maria. His father served as a violinist and composer in the court chapel, and his mother was the daughter of the commissioner-trustee of the almshouse. Their family was large, because seven children were born in it. However, many babies left the world in a very early age. Only Wolfgang and his sister survived.

The childhood of the famous composer was a series of bright and exciting events. This is a story full of music. Already at the age of three, the young child prodigy played unpretentious melodies on a tiny violin. At the age of four, he tried to compose works himself. At the age of six, the little musician masterfully performed the most complex compositions.

The most important thing in the history of music was that at the age of seven he could correctly name the tones and chords taken on different musical instruments. Little Amadeus also became famous for his improvisation on the organ and harpsichord.

The young musician caused a storm of delight wherever he appeared. His concerts with his sister Maria-Anna enjoyed particular success with a grateful audience.

Life and work of Mozart

Creator of the great classical works lived a very short, but very eventful life: only 35 years old (the years of Mozart's life - 1756-1971). However, he was in a hurry to live and enjoy life. Therefore, for such short term famous composer became an immortal legend.

At the age of fourteen he conquered Italy. In Bologna, Wolfgang Amadeus won a musical competition against experienced musicians who were his father's age. The Academy of Boden even accepted the young genius into its ranks.

After returning from Italy, young Amadeus plunged headlong into writing. It is difficult to count how many interesting creations the child prodigy wrote during this period. With his light hand many sonatas, symphonies and quartets appeared. His most popular works:

• "Night Serenade";
• "Rondo in the Turkish style";
• "Aria of Don Juan";
• Overture to the Opera "The Marriage of Figaro";
• both symphonies in G minor No. 25 and No. 40 and others.

Composer's personal life

Music and women were all adulthood composer. Fine ladies always accompanied Amadeus. First was Mozart's first love - famous singer Eloise Weber. She skillfully played on the feelings of a young man. And in the end, she simply abandoned his company.

The disillusioned composer immediately noticed her sister. Calm and balanced Constance Weber - why not a replacement for the quick-tempered and windy person Eloise? This lovely young lady eventually captured the heart of Amadeus. And a little later - and his wallet. She became the only wife of Mozart. Constance idolized her husband. Therefore, she turned a blind eye to all the adventures of an ambitious person.

During his lifetime, Amadeus was not known, although he enjoyed success with a wealthy public. Therefore, his family lived on the verge of poverty. They barely had enough money not to starve to death. At the same time, in 1790, leaving his wife at home, the composer went on a journey.

Mannheim, Munich and Frankfurt became places of his pilgrimage. Here the musician plunged into the extravaganza of sensual pleasures. For a long time he forgot about his wife and children. At some point, he felt ashamed. He wrote a sensual letter of apology to his beloved Constance. He promised to return to his native nest.

However, typhus became an obstacle to the fulfillment of promises. He dumped the composer forever in one moment. The death of a loved one was a real blow to Mrs. Mozart. She wanted to follow him. However, this was not destined to come true. Last years quiet woman spent with another person. She successfully married and outlived Amadeus by half a century.

From the many chronological tables of Mozart's life compiled by historians, we have selected a list of the most significant dates in the composer's life:

• 1769-1771 years - a trip to Italy;
• 1782 - marriage to Constance Weber;
• 1786 - presentation of the opera "The Marriage of Figaro";
• 1787 - Mozart's appointment as a chamber musician and composer under Joseph II;
• 1791 - writing the opera "The Magic Flute".

5 interesting facts about Mozart's life that you didn't know

Interesting events from the life of a musician and composer can be listed for a very long time. Therefore, it is worth dwelling on the most interesting of them.

Wolfgang Amadeus early childhood toured with his father. The miracle baby entertained the audience like this: the young composer was blindfolded, and he began to play the harpsichord. The keyboard was also covered with cloth. However, these tricks did not prevent the virtuoso from extracting a pleasant clear sound from a musical instrument.

The list of 5 facts also includes an unusual case with a cat. At one of the performances, a cat ran out onto the stage to the little musician. The kid liked the animal so much that he immediately forgot about the audience. Amadeus fled the stage after the ill-fated cat, and as a result received a scolding from his father. To which he replied that the cat could run away, but the harpsichord would not go anywhere.

Even the church considered Amadeus a child prodigy. Although at that time in Holland music was persecuted. The clergy saw God's finger in the talent of the baby.

Mozart received the Order of the Knight of the Golden Spur from the Pope himself. This award was presented to the musician for the flawless rewriting of the most difficult piece of music. The servant of God was incredibly surprised by the impeccability of musical notation.

Few people know that the son of the great composer lived for about 30 years in the Ukrainian city of Lvov. Here he taught children how to play the piano. Franz Xaver Mozart also gave concerts in the city and conducted the orchestra. The son of the great composer even wrote several plays based on Ukrainian motives.

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