Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Introduction

Mozart was born on the 27th of January 1756 in an apartment house in Salzburg. Both of his parents had dedicated their lives to their respective professions and, therefore, they had migrated to the ecclesiastical principality of Salzburg for professional reasons (Rushton, 2006). In the morning following his birth, Mozart was taken to the Cathedral of Salzburg where he was baptized on the name John Chrysostom Wolfgangus Theophilus. Hence, Mozart's pet name or nickname became Wolfgang or Woferl. When he was only four years of age, Mozart received piano lessons from his father who was an accomplished pianist, violinist and composer. Mozart did not take these lessons alone however, as he was accompanied by his sister, Maria Anna Walburga Ignatia, who was a good five years senior to her in age (Rushton, 2006). Both of them, received general education from their father and learned the musical arts fairly quickly. More importantly, Mozart turned out to be a true prodigy and soon became the musical progeny of his own father, mastering the skill of playing the piano as well as the violin at a very young age (Rushton, 2006). Mozart eventually made his first appearance in the year 1762 and the world was spellbound by the talent and masterful skills that he possesses at such a young age (Rushton, 2006).

Thesis Statement

Inarguably the most naturally gifted musical prodigy of his time, Mozart has played an integral role in promoting the musical arts among the European continent through his various exploits in the region.

Discussion

Mozart gave many performances in Salzburg and instantly became an overnight sensation and a household name. One of his most popular performances was the school opera “The Obligation of the First Commandment” (Sadie, 2006). In an ensemble of renowned professional musicians of Salzburg such as Michael Haydn and Cajetan Adlgasser, Mozart performed when he was only 11 years old. He made a trip to Vienna by the end of the same year, accompanied by his parents and his older sister. However, learning that there was a rampant and widespread epidemic of smallpox in the region, they fled to Olomouc and Brno instead and spent a considerable amount of time over there (Sadie, 2006). However, the epidemic spread there too and Wolfgang fell victim to smallpox, barely managing to flee the scene again, this time, however, with some facial scars. After recovering from his illness, Mozart returned to the spotlight. He travelled once again to Vienna on January 10, 1768, and made numerous performances, leading the Singspiel Bastien und Bastienne (KV 50), the Orphanage Mass (K. 139) and the opera buffa La finta semplice (KV 51) (Rushton, 2006).

From 1767 to 1769, Mozart made numerous repeat performances at the Benedictine monastery. He specially composed two Offertories for Seeon, Scande coeli limina in the year 1769 and Inter natos mulierum in the year 1771 (Mitchell et al., 1990). Apart from this, he also performed the much acclaimed "Mozart oak". After spending nearly fifteen months in Vienna, it was time for ...