The national pride of Austria, the greatest mystery of the Creator, the symbol of Genius is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His life and death left more questions than answers. Its history is overgrown with legends and myths. Hundreds of books have been written about him. But it is unlikely that we will ever come close to unraveling this phenomenon. The genius composer really has a lot of secrets, and one of them is the so-called "Mozart Effect". Scientists are racking their brains trying to find the answer to the question why exactly the music of a genius has such a beneficial effect on human health? Why, listening to his works, we calm down and begin to think better? How much does Mozart's music make it easier for patients suffering from serious illnesses? One hundred thousand why, to which even after hundreds of years no one can give a clear answer.

Brief biography Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and a lot of interesting facts about the composer read on our page.

short biography

Usually, in the biography of famous people, childhood is described in passing, some funny or tragic incidents that influenced the formation of character are mentioned. But in the case of Mozart, the story about his childhood is a story about the concert and composing activities of a full-fledged musician and virtuoso performer, author of instrumental compositions.

He was born on January 27, 1756 in the family of violinist and teacher Leopold Mozart. The father had a huge influence on the formation of his son as a person and musician. All their lives they were bound by the most tender affection, even the phrase of Wolfgang is known: “After the pope, only the Lord.” Wolfgang and his older sister Maria Anna, who was called Nannerl at home, never attended a public school, all education, including not only music, but also arithmetic, writing, reading, was given to them by their father. He was a born teacher, his methodological manual for learning to play the violin published dozens of times and for a long time considered the best.

From the birth of little Wolfgang, he was surrounded by an atmosphere of creativity, musical sounds and constant employment. Father worked with Nannerl on harpsichord and the violin, 3-year-old Wolfi watched them with jealousy and delight: well, when will daddy let him practice? For him, it was all a game - to pick up melodies, harmonies by ear. So, while playing, his music lessons began, to which he devoted himself completely.

According to Mozart's biography, already at the age of 4, he draws scribbles on music paper, which infuriates his father, but anger quickly turns into amazement - the notes that look chaotic on paper add up to an unpretentious, but literate piece from the point of view of harmony. Leopold immediately understands the highest talent that God has awarded his son.

In those days, a musician could count on a quite good life if he found a patron and got a permanent job. For example, having taken the position of bandmaster at the court or the house of a noble nobleman. Then music was an integral part of social and secular life. And Leopold decides to go with performances in the cities of Europe in order to gain fame for his son so that later he can be rewarded with a better fate. He expected already now to enlist attention to the extraordinary talent of the child.

The Mozarts (father, son and daughter) set off on their first journey at the beginning of 1762, when Wolfgang was 6 years old and his sister was 10. Wonder children everywhere met with the most enthusiastic reception, they amazed the audience with their performing skills and abilities. The father sought to give their performances as much effect as possible. Maria Anna performed the most technically complex musical pieces, which are not subject to every experienced harpsichordist. Wolfgang did not just play virtuoso at all - they blindfolded him, covered the keyboard with a handkerchief, he played from a sheet, improvised. All the forces were thrown at something to make a sensation and stock in the memory of the audience. And they really were invited a lot and often. Basically, these were the houses of aristocrats and even crowned persons.

But there was another interesting point in this. During all these travels from London to Naples, Wolfgang not only demonstrated to the public his generous talent - he also absorbed all the cultural and musical achievements that this or that city could provide him. At that time, Europe was fragmented, centers of culture flared up in different cities - and each had its own trends, musical styles, genres, preferences. Little Wolfgang could listen to it all, absorb it, process it with his brilliant mind. And in the end, the synthesis of all these musical layers gave impetus to that powerful movement that was the work of Mozart.

Salzburg and Vienna

Alas, Leopold's plans were not destined to come true. The children grew up and no longer made such a vivid impression. Wolfgang turned into a short young man, "just like everyone else", and his past popularity rather even interfered. Neither his membership in the Academy of Bologna, which he received at the age of 12, having brilliantly coped with the task, nor the Order of the Golden Spur, presented by the Catholic Pope himself, nor the all-European fame, made the career growth of the young composer easy.

For some time he was Kapellmeister at the Archbishop in Salzburg. A difficult relationship with this arrogant man forced Wolfgang to take orders from Vienna, Prague, London. He strove for independence, disrespectful treatment hurt him painfully. Frequent trips led to the desired goal - once the Archbishop of Colloredo fired Mozart, accompanying the dismissal with a humiliating gesture.

He ultimately moves to Vienna in 1781. Here he will spend the last 10 years of his life. This period will see the flowering of his work, his marriage to Constanze Weber, here he will write his most significant works. The crowns did not immediately accept him, and in general, after the success " Weddings of Figaro"In 1786, the rest of the premieres were calm.He was always received much warmer in Prague.

At that time, Vienna was the musical capital of Europe, its inhabitants were spoiled by an abundance of musical events, musicians from all over the world flocked there. The competition among composers was very high. But the confrontation between Mozart and Antonio Salieri, which we can see in the famous film "Amadeus" by Milos Forman, and even earlier - in Pushkin, does not correspond to reality. On the contrary, they treated each other with great respect.

He also had a close and touching friendship with Joseph Haydn, dedicated beautiful string quartets to him. Haydn, in turn, endlessly admired Wolfgang's talent and subtle musical taste, his extraordinary ability to feel and convey feelings like a true Artist.

Despite the fact that Mozart did not manage to achieve a position at the court, his work gradually began to bring him considerable income. He was an independent man, putting the honor and dignity of man above all else. He did not go into his pocket for a sharp word, and generally directly said everything he thought. Such an attitude could not leave anyone indifferent, envious people and ill-wishers appeared.

Illness and death

A slight creative decline, which was outlined in 1789-90, was quickly replaced by active work at the beginning of 1791. At the end of the winter, he made changes to Symphony No. 40. In the spring, the opera "The Mercy of Titus" was written and then staged in the summer, commissioned by the Czech court on the day of the coronation of Leopold II. In September, a joint project was completed with Emanuel Schikaneder, a fellow Masonic lodge - the singspiel " magical flute". In July of this year, he received an order for a funeral mass from a mysterious messenger ...

In early autumn, Wolfgang begins to complain of ailments. Gradually they intensify. The last performance of Mozart is dated November 18 - the day of the opening of the next lodge of the Secret Society. After that, he fell ill and did not get up. Until now, medical scientists are arguing about the causes of the disease, the diagnosis. Most often, the poisoning version is rejected, but not completely ruled out. Over the past centuries, there have been no more authentic documents, on the contrary, many statements by Constanza and other witnesses are less and less credible.

The composer was treated by the best doctor in Vienna at that time, many of his methods are now presented as aggravating the patient's condition, but then they were widely used in medicine. On the night of December 4-5, he dies ...

During his lifetime, he was a dapper fashionista, leading a somewhat freer lifestyle than he could afford. Many notes have been preserved in which he turned to friends with a request to borrow money - for another musical project. But he never learned how to manage money wisely. And when the question arose about the funeral, it turned out that the family did not have money for this.

Baron van Swieten fully paid for the funeral, he gave an amount sufficient for burial in the 3rd category - in a separate coffin, but in a common grave. It was a common practice then, there was nothing strange about it. Except for one thing, even the burial place of the greatest son of man has not been preserved. Then the funeral monuments were placed outside the cemetery fence.

Interesting facts about Mozart

• Mozart wrote half of the total number of symphonies between the ages of 8 and 19.
• In 2002, on the anniversary of 9/11, choirs all over the planet sang "Requiem" by Mozart during the day, in order to honor the memory of the dead.
• In the largest single recording project in history, Philips Classic released 180 CDs in 1991 containing a complete set of Mozart's authentic works. It includes over 200 hours of music.
• Mozart wrote more music in his short career than many other composers who lived much longer.
• Relations with the Archbishop of Salzburg ended when his secretary gave Mozart a kick in the back.
• From the biography of Mozart, we learn that the brilliant composer spent a total of 14 out of 35 years traveling.
• Leopold Mozart described the birth of a son as "a miracle from God" because he seemed too small and weak to survive.
• The term "Mozart's ear" describes an ear defect. Researchers believe that Mozart and his son, Franz, had a congenital ear defect.
• The composer had a phenomenal ear and memory, even as a child he could memorize a work that was complex in form and harmony from one listening, and then write it down without a single mistake.
• In the 1950s, the French phoniatrist Alfred Tomatis conducted scientific experiments in which he proved that listening to Mozart's music can improve a person's IQ, he coined the term "Mozart Effect"; it has also been recognized as having a therapeutic effect on cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and many neurological diseases, this has been scientifically proven.
• Wolfgang Mozart's middle name, Theophilus, means "beloved of God" in Greek.
• Mozart's influence on Western music is profound. Joseph Haydon noted that "the posterity will not see such talent even in 100 years".
• Mozart wrote his first symphony when he was only 8 years old, and an opera at 12.
• Father forbade Wolfgang to marry Constanza Weber, suspecting her family's selfish interest in Mozart, who was making his first confident steps in Vienna. But he did not obey for the first time in his life, and against the will of his father, he married in August 1782. Some scholars portray her as fickle, others look at her with more sympathy. Eighteen years after Wolfgang's death, she remarried and helped her new husband write a book about Mozart.

• Mozart's famous partnership with Lorenzo da Ponte resulted in the opera Le nozze di Figaro, based on a play by Beaumarchais. Their collaboration is one of the most famous in the history of music;
• Once in Vienna, little Wolfgang performed at the palace for Empress Maria Theresa. After the performance, he played with her daughters, one of whom treated him especially fondly. Wolfgang, in all seriousness, then began to ask for her hand. It was Marie Antoinette, the future Queen of France.
• Mozart was a member of the Masonic lodge, it was a secret society that united the most progressive people of his time. Over time, Wolfgang began to move away from the ideas of the brothers, mainly due to religious contradictions.

• Composer's last word Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) before his death was "Mozart".
• In 1801, gravedigger Joseph Rothmeier allegedly dug up Mozart's skull from a cemetery in Vienna. However, even after various tests, it remains unknown whether the skull, in fact, belonged to Mozart. It is currently locked up in the Mozarteum Foundation in Salzburg, Austria;
• Baron van Swieten gave 8 florins 56 kreutzers for Mozart's funeral - this is the amount that Wolfgang once spent on the playful funeral of his starling.
• Mozart was buried in a "mass grave" in the Cemetery of St. Marx. A "common grave" is not the same as a beggar's grave or a mass grave, but a grave for people who were not an aristocracy. One of the main differences is that after 10 years the common graves were excavated, while the graves of aristocrats were not.
• Researchers have hypothesized at least 118 causes of Mozart's death, including rheumatic fever, influenza, trichinosis, mercury poisoning, kidney failure, and streptococcal infection.
• According to several biographers, Mozart was a small man with strong eyes. As a child, Wolfgang contracted smallpox, which left scars on his face. He was thin and pale with fine hair and liked smart clothes.
• According to Mozart's wife, Constanza, at the end of his life Mozart believed that he had been poisoned and that he was composing his "Requiem" for himself.
• It is believed that in the "Requiem" he managed to write only the first 7 parts, and the rest was completed by his student Franz Xaver Süssmayr. But there is a version according to which Wolfgang could have completed the Requiem several years earlier. Scholars are still debating which parts Mozart actually wrote.
• Mozart and his wife had six children, of whom only two survived infancy. Both sons had no family or children.
• Mozart became increasingly popular after his death. In fact, as 20th-century biographer Maynard Solomon points out, his music was truly appreciated posthumously.
• The composer was born a Catholic and remained so all his life.
• Mozart was a tenor. During chamber concerts in the ensemble, he usually played the viola. He was also left-handed.
• The famous physicist Albert Einstein was very fond of music. He learned to play the violin, but really managed to imbue it only after he "fell in love with Mozart's sonatas."
• Einstein believed that Mozart's music demanded technical perfection from him, and then he began to study hard.
• Constanza, Mozart's wife, destroyed many of his sketches and drawings after the composer's death.
• Mozart had several pets, including a dog, a starling, a canary, and a horse.

Mozart. Letters

Time has preserved many portraits of Mozart made by different artists, but they all differ greatly from each other, it is difficult to determine whether among them were the closest to the original. On the other hand, the composer's letters, which he wrote all his life, being on constant trips, are perfectly preserved - letters to his mother, sister, "dearest dad", cousin, wife Constanza.

Reading them, you can create a true psychological image of a genius, as if he appears alive before us. Here is a 9-year-old boy sincerely happy about the comfortable britzka and the fact that the cab driver rushes quickly. Here he conveys his fiery greetings and low bow to everyone he knows. It was a gallant century, but Mozart knows how, without excessive pomposity and ornateness, to show respect without losing dignity. Letters addressed to relatives are full of sincerity and trust, emotionality and free use of syntax, because they were not written for history. This is their real value.

In his mature years, Wolfgang developed his own epistolary style. It is obvious that the literary gift is inherent in him to no lesser extent than the musical one. Having a superficial knowledge of several languages ​​(German, French, Italian, Latin), he easily composes new word forms from them, plays with words with humor, makes jokes, rhymes. His thought glides easily and naturally.

It should be noted that since the writing of letters, the German language has come a long way from local dialects to the national language. Therefore, much in them to contemporaries will seem not entirely clear. For example, then it was customary to discuss publicly the problems of digestion. There was nothing out of the ordinary about it. The same with grammar and spelling - Mozart followed his own rules, and perhaps did not even think about it. In one paragraph, he could write the name of a person three times - and all 3 times in different ways.

In Russia during the Soviet era, Mozart scholars only partially quoted some of his letters - carefully edited. In 2000, a complete edition of the correspondence of the Mozart family was published.

Personal Quotes

• "I write like a pig" (about how much I write).
• “I don’t pay attention to anyone’s praise or blame. I just follow my own feelings”;
• “Since death, when we come to consider it, is the true purpose of our existence, I have developed over the past few years such a close relationship with this best and most faithful friend of mankind that his image not only no longer frightens me, but is really very reassuring. and comforts! And I thank my God for kindly giving me the opportunity to know that death is the key that opens the door to our true happiness.”
• “Every time I go to bed, I remember that it is possible (however young I may be) I will not be destined to see tomorrow. And yet, not a single person from everyone who knows me will say that I am gloomy or sad in communication ... ”(April 4, 1787).
• “People are mistaken in thinking that my art comes easily to me. I assure you, no one has devoted as much time and thought to composition as I have."

creative legacy

Researchers and biographers are struck by the monstrous performance of Mozart. Considering his employment in the service, rehearsals, concerts, tours, private lessons, he managed to write at the same time - to order and at his own behest of the soul. He composed music in all genres that existed then. Some compositions, especially early, childhood years, are lost. In total, in his incomplete 36 years, he wrote more than 600 works. Almost all of them are absolute gems of symphonic, concert, chamber, opera and choral music. Over the past 2 centuries, interest in them has only increased. He significantly developed and transformed many genres, setting a new standard and guidelines in art.

For example, in his operas The Marriage of Figaro, Don Juan”, “The Magic Flute” dramaturgy stepped far beyond the limits of musical performances traditional for that time. The plot acquires a stronger semantic load, often the composer takes the most ardent part in the development of the libretto, gives recommendations on how to build the plot. Each image of the characters receives a more detailed psychological portrayal, becomes “alive” not only with the help of texts, but also through expressive musical means.

Also, a symphony receives a strong dramatic development from him. In many of them, one can see similarities with the opera principle of construction - reliance on conflict, confrontation, through development. On the other hand, the overture to " Wedding of Figaro” is so perfect in form that it is performed separately in concerts as an orchestral work.

Symphonism, as the highest type of musical thinking in Mozart's work, establishes the canons of the classical style. However, in general, his entire creative path evolved from Rococo (mainly in children's compositions), then through Viennese classicism to the prerequisites for early romanticism. It remains only to guess what the music of this genius, so emotional, enthusiastic, sincere, would have been if he had had a chance to live to the era of romantic heyday.

Mozart's musical compositions include 41 symphonies, 27 piano concertos, 5 violin concertos, 27 concerto arias, 23 string quartets and 22 operas.

The image of Mozart in theater, cinema, television and other media projects

The music of the genius composer can be heard everywhere. According to the biography of Mozart, hundreds of feature and documentary films, television projects have been shot, and a theater play has been staged. The most significant works about him are:

• "Little Tragedies" by A.S. Pushkin (cycle of short plays);
• "Amadeus" (1979) a play by Peter Shaffer, which formed the basis of the script for the famous film by Milos Forman
• "Amadeus" - 8 Oscars and many awards and nominations in the field of cinematography, starring Tom Hulse (Mozart) and F. Murray Abraham (Salieri).

Here is just a partial list of TV projects about Mozart:

• t / s "Mozart in the Jungle" - USA (original title);
• t / s "Avventura Romantica" (2016), performed by Lorenzo Zingone (as young Mozart);
• t / s “Now I will sing” (2016), performed by Lorenzo Zingone;
• t/s "La Fiamma" (2016), performed by Lorenzo Zingone;
• "Stern Dad (2015)" TV episode, performed by Chris Marquette (as Mozart);
• "Mr. Peabody and the Sherman Show";
• "Mozart" (2016), performed by Avner Peres (adult W. Mozart);
• "Fantasy" (2015);
• "Mozart vs Skrillex (2013) TV episode, performed by Nice Peter (Mozart);
• Mozart l "opéra Rock 3D (2011) (TV) Performed by Michelangelo Loconte;
• "Mozart's Sister" (2010), performed by David Moreau;
• "Etida" (2010), Luka Hrgovic as Mozart;
• "Mozart" (2008) TV series;
• "In Search of Mozart" (2006);
• "The Genius of Mozart" performed by Jack Tarleton";
• t / s "The Simpsons";
• TV series Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (2002);
• "Wolfgang A. Mozart" (1991);
• "Mozart and Salieri" (1986) TV episode;
• "Mozart - his life with music" d / f.

Once having become acquainted with this Great Destiny, it is already impossible to forget about it. This is what helps the soul to rise, retreat from the ordinary and tune in to the contemplation of eternity ... Mozart is the greatest gift of the Creator to mankind.

Video: watch a film about Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus John Chrysostom Theophilus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in Austria, in the city of Salzburg on the banks of the Salzach River. In the 18th century, the city was considered the center of musical life. Little Mozart got acquainted early with the music that sounded in the residence of the archbishop, with home concerts of well-to-do citizens and with the world of folk music.

Wolfgang's father, Leopold Mozart, was one of the most educated and prominent teachers of his era and became his son's first teacher. At the age of 4, the boy already plays the piano perfectly and begins to compose music. According to one record of that time, he literally mastered the violin in just a few days and soon amazed his family and friends of his father with the manuscript of the “piano concerto”.
At the age of six, he first appeared before the general public, and after a short time, together with his sister Anna, also an outstanding performer, he went on a concert tour to Munich, Augsburg, Mannheim, Brussels, Vienna, Paris, and then his family went to London, where at that time time were the largest masters of the opera stage.
In 1763 Mozart's works (sonatas for piano and violin) were first published in Paris.
The history of music testifies to a number of wonderful performances with which Mozart plunged his listeners into amazement. The boy was only 10 years old when he took part in composing a collective oratorio. He was kept in real captivity for a whole week, opening the locked door only to give him food or music paper. Mozart brilliantly passed the test, and soon after the oratorio, performed with great success, he amazes the audience with the opera Apolloni Hyacinth, and then with two more operas, The Imaginary Simple Girl and Bastien et Bastienne.
In 1769 Mozart went on a tour of Italy. Great Italian musicians are at first distrustful and even suspicious of the Clegends surrounding the name of Mozart. But his genius talent conquers them too. Vitaliy Mozart studies with the famous composer and teacher J.B. Martini, gives concerts, writes the opera "Mithridates - King of Pontus", which is a great success.
At the age of 14, he became a member of the renowned Academy of Bologna and the Philharmonic Academy in Verona. Mozart reaches the pinnacle of fame in Rome. Having listened only once in the Cathedral of St. Peter "Miserere" Allegri, he writes it down on paper from memory. The opera Mithridates, King of Pontus (1770), Lucio Silla (1772), and the theatrical serenade Ascanio in Alba are memories of a trip to Italy.
After a trip to Italy, Mozart created string quartets, symphonic works, piano sonatas and works for a variety of combinations of instruments, the opera The Imaginary Gardener (1775), The Shepherd King.
The young composer, who until now knew only the brilliant side of life, now knows its underside. The new Prince-Archbishop Jerome Coloredo does not like music, does not like Mozart, and more and more often makes him understand that Mozart is only a servant who is entitled to no more respect than any cook or lackey. Leaving Salzburg and court service, he settled in Mannheim. Here he meets the Weber family and acquires several loyal and reliable friends among art lovers.
But heavy material worries, humiliation and expectations in the hallways, begging and seeking protection forced the young composer to return to Salzburg. At the request of Leopold Mozart, the archbishop takes back his former musician, but gives strict instructions: his servants and lackeys (of course, Mozart) are prohibited from public performances. However, in 1781, Mozart managed to get a vacation to stage a new opera, Idomeneo, in Munich. After a successful premiere, having decided not to return to Salzburg anymore, Mozart submits a letter of resignation and receives a stream of curses and insults in response. The cup of patience is overflowing; the composer finally broke with the dependent position of the court musician and settled in Vienna, where he lived for the last 10 years of his life.
However, Mozart faced new difficulties. Aristocratic circles are turning away from the former child prodigy, and those who until recently paid him gold and applause now consider the musician's creations excessively heavy, confused and abstract. And Mozart, meanwhile, creates masterpieces. In 1782, his first mature opera, The Abduction from the Seraglio, is performed; in the summer of the same year he marries Constance Weber.
A new creative stage in Mozart's life is associated with his friendship with Joseph Haydn (1732-1809). Under the influence of Haydn, Mozart's music takes on new wings. The first wonderful Mozart quartets are born. But besides the brilliance, which has already become a proverb, his writings more and more often reveal a more tragic, more serious beginning, characteristic of a person who sees life in its entirety.
The composer moves farther and farther away from the requirements of general taste, which are placed before the obedient composers of music by the salons of nobles and patrons of the rich. During this period, the opera The Marriage of Figaro (1786) appeared. Mozart is beginning to be forced out of the opera stage. Compared to the light works of Salieri and Paesiello, the works of Mozart seem heavy and problematic.
Disasters and hardships are increasingly peeking into the composer's house, young spouses do not know how to economically manage the household. In these difficult conditions, the opera Don Giovanni (1787) was born, which brought the author a worldwide success. While writing the last pages of the score, Mozart receives news of his father's death. Now the composer was indeed left alone; he can no longer hope that his father's advice, a clever letter, and perhaps direct intervention will help him in difficult times.
After the premiere of Don Juan in Prague, the imperial court was forced to make some concessions. Mozart is offered to take the place of the court musician, which belonged to the recently deceased Gluck (1714-1787). However, this honorary appointment brings the composer a little joy. The Viennese court treats Mozart as an ordinary composer of dance music and orders him minuets, landlers, country dances for court balls.
The last years of Mozart's life include 3 symphonies (E-flat major, G minor and C major), the operas Everyone Does It So (1790), The Mercy of Titus (1791), The Magic Flute (1791).
Death caught Mozart on December 5, 1791 in Vienna while working on the Requiem. The history of the creation of this work is told by all biographers of the composer. A middle-aged stranger came to Mozart, decently dressed and pleasant. He ordered a Requiem for his friend and paid a generous advance. The gloomy tone and mystery with which the order was made gave rise to the suspicious composer's idea that he was writing this "Requiem" for himself.
"Requiem" was completed by a student and friend of the composer F. Süssmeier.
Mozart was buried in a common grave for the poor. His wife was sick at home on the day of the funeral; the composer's friends, who went out to see him off on his last journey, were forced to return home halfway due to terrible bad weather. It so happened that no one knows exactly where the great composer found the eternal rest...
Mozart's creative heritage is more than 600 works

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, full name Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Theophilus Mozart was born January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, died December 5, 1791 in Vienna. Austrian composer, bandmaster, virtuoso violinist, harpsichordist, organist. According to contemporaries, he had a phenomenal ear for music, memory and the ability to improvise. Mozart is widely recognized as one of the greatest composers: his uniqueness lies in the fact that he worked in all musical forms of his time and achieved the highest success in all. Along with Haydn and Beethoven, he belongs to the most significant representatives of the Vienna Classical School.
Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, then the capital of the Salzburg Archbishopric, now this city is located on the territory of Austria.
Mozart's musical abilities manifested themselves at a very early age, when he was about three years old. Father taught Wolfgang the basics of playing the harpsichord, violin and organ.
In 1762, Mozart's father took with his son and daughter Anna, also a wonderful harpsichord performer, an artistic journey to Munich, Paris, London and Vienna, and then to many other cities in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. In the same year, young Mozart wrote his first composition.
In 1763 Mozart's first sonatas for harpsichord and violin were published in Paris. From 1766 to 1769, while living in Salzburg and Vienna, Mozart studied the works of Handel, Stradell, Carissimi, Durante and other great masters.
Mozart spent 1770-1774 in Italy. In 1770, in Bologna, he met the composer Josef Myslivechek, who was extremely popular in Italy at that time; The influence of the “Divine Bohemian” turned out to be so great that later, due to the similarity of style, some of his works were attributed to Mozart, including the oratorio “Abraham and Isaac”

In the years 1775-1780, despite worries about material support, a fruitless trip to Munich, Mannheim and Paris, the loss of his mother, Mozart wrote, among other things, 6 clavier sonatas, a concerto for flute and harp, a large symphony No. 31 in D-dur, nicknamed Parisian, several spiritual choirs, 12 ballet numbers.
In 1779, Mozart received a position as court organist in Salzburg (collaborated with Michael Haydn). On January 26, 1781, the opera Idomeneo was staged in Munich with great success, marking a certain turn in Mozart's work.
In 1781 Mozart finally settled in Vienna. In 1783 Mozart married Constance Weber, sister of Aloysia Weber, with whom he had been in love during his stay in Mannheim. In the very first years, Mozart gained wide popularity in Vienna; his “academies” were popular, as public authorial concerts were called in Vienna, in which the works of one composer, often by himself, were performed. However, Mozart’s opera in subsequent years in Vienna did not develop in the best way. The operas "L'oca del Cairo" (1783) and "Lo sposo deluso" (1784) remained unfinished. Finally, in 1786, the opera The Marriage of Figaro was written and staged, the libretto of which was Lorenzo da Ponte. It had a good reception in Vienna, but after several performances it was withdrawn and not staged until 1789, when the production was resumed by Antonio Salieri, who considered The Marriage of Figaro to be Mozart's best opera.
In 1787, a new opera, created in collaboration with Da Ponte, "Don Juan" was released.
At the end of 1787, after the death of Christoph Willibald Gluck, Mozart received the position of "imperial and royal chamber musician" with a salary of 800 florins, but his duties were reduced mainly to composing dances for masquerades, the opera - comic, on a plot from secular life - was ordered to Mozart only once, and she became "Cosi fan tutte" (1790).
In May 1791, Mozart was enrolled in an unpaid position as Assistant Kapellmeister of St. Stephen's Cathedral; this position gave him the right to become Kapellmeister after the death of the seriously ill Leopold Hoffmann; Hoffmann, however, outlived Mozart.
Mozart died on December 5, 1791. The cause of Mozart's death is still the subject of controversy. Most researchers believe that Mozart really died, as indicated in the medical report, from rheumatic (millet) fever, possibly complicated by acute heart or kidney failure. The famous legend of the poisoning of Mozart by the composer Salieri is still supported by several musicologists, but there is no convincing evidence for this version. In May 1997, the court, sitting in the Milan Palace of Justice, having considered the case of Antonio Salieri on charges of murdering Mozart, acquitted him.

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Comments:

Terminator December 1, 2019 at 6:36 pm Will do

Ahh. RU June 8, 2019 at 4:50 pm Lots of!!!

When it comes to classical music, most people immediately think of Mozart. And this is not accidental, because he 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 ().

The most famous portrait of Mozart

Brief biography of Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in an Austrian city. His father Leopold was a composer and violinist in the court chapel of 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 with various 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 1764. While in, 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, Mozart's creative biography began from the moment of his first tour at the age of 6.

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 passed away, and then his wife, Constance Weber, fell ill, and a lot of money was spent on her treatment.

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 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 were 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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To better understand what influenced the personality of Wolfgang Amadeus, you need to know how his childhood went. After all, it is the tender age that determines what a person will become, and this, in turn, is reflected in creativity.

Leopold - evil genius or guardian angel

It is difficult to exaggerate the role that the personality of the father, Leopold Mozart, had on the formation of the little genius.

Time forces scientists to reconsider their views on historical figures. So, Leopold at first was considered almost like a saint who completely abandoned his own life in favor of his son. Then they began to see him in a purely negative light: take at least the image in the film by Milos Forman. This is an overhanging black shadow that has lifted its wing over a young life ...

But most likely, Leopold Mozart was not the embodiment of any of these extremes. Of course, he had his shortcomings - for example, a quick temper. But he also had merit. Leopold had a very wide range of interests, from philosophy to politics. This made it possible to raise his son as a person, and not as a simple artisan. His efficiency, organization also passed to his son.

Leopold himself was a pretty good composer, and an outstanding teacher. So, he wrote a guide to teaching the violin - "The experience of a solid violin school" (1756), according to which today's experts learn about how children were taught music before.

Giving a lot of strength to his children, he also “given all the best” in everything he did. His conscience compelled him to do so.

It was the father who inspired and showed by his own example that work is the only way to success and even a duty that comes with talent . It is a big mistake to think that the innate genius, witnessed by many respected contemporaries, did not require any effort from Mozart.

Childhood

What allowed Wolfgang to grow freely in his gift? This is, first of all, a morally healthy environment in the family, created by the efforts of both parents. Leopold and Anna had true respect for each other. The mother, knowing the shortcomings of her husband, covered them with her love.

Wolfgang adored his father, putting him in second place after God. The little son promised to keep his father in his box when he grew old.

He also loved his sister, watching her lessons on the clavier for hours. His poem, written for Marianne on her birthday, has survived.
Of the seven children of the Mozarts, only two survived, so the family was small. Perhaps this is what allowed Leopold, overloaded with official duties, to fully engage in the development of the talents of his offspring.

Elder sister

Nannerl, who, in fact, was called Maria Anna, although she often fades into the background next to her brother, was also an outstanding personality. She was not inferior to the best performers of her time, while still a girl. It was her many hours of music lessons under the guidance of her father that awakened in little Wolfgang an interest in music.

At first, it was believed that children were equally gifted. But time passed, Marianne did not write a single work, and Wolfgang began to publish. Then the father decided that a musical career was not for his daughter, he married her. After her marriage, her path parted ways with Wolfgang.

Mozart loved and respected his sister very much, giving her a career as a music teacher, good earnings. After the death of her husband, she took up this, returning to Salzburg. In general, Nannerl's life was not bad, although it was not cloudless. It was thanks to her letters that researchers received numerous material about the life of the great brother.

Travels

Mozart Jr. became known as a genius thanks to the concerts that took place in noble houses, even at the courts of various royal dynasties. But we should not forget what travel meant at that time. Shaking for days in a cold carriage to earn a living is a difficult test. A modern man, pampered by civilization, would hardly have endured even a month of such a life, and little Wolfgang lived like this for almost a whole decade. This way of life often provoked illnesses in children, but travel continued.

Such an attitude today may even seem cruel, but the father of the family pursued a good goal: the son must find a rich patron who will provide him with work for the rest of his life. After all, then the musicians were not free creators, they wrote what they were ordered, and each work had to correspond to the rigid framework of musical forms.

Hard way

Even very gifted people should try to preserve and develop the abilities given to them. This also applied to Wolfgang Mozart. It was his family, especially his father, who brought up in him a reverent attitude to his work. And the fact that the listener does not notice the labor invested by the composer makes his legacy even more valuable.

Mozart - Film 2008