Biography and Chief Works of 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

1756.

Bom in Salzburg.  Father, Leopold, was violinist and court musician to Archbishop of Salzburg, and wrote a famous treatise on violin playing.  Sister Marianne and Wolfgang were both child prodigies.  

1762.

Already composing and playing violin and Clavier.  Taught by father, who took children to play at courts of Munich and Vienna.  

1763.

Started a 3-year tour of Europe.  Visited courts of Versailles and London.  Met J. C. Bach in London, gave many concerts there, and composed his first symphony.  Then on to the court at The Hague, and other places in Holland, France and Switzerland before returning home.  

1768.

Visited Vienna and had opera 'Bastien and Bastienne' performed.  

1769.

Two-year Italian tour.  Heard Allegri's 'Miserere' in Sistine chapel, Rome, twice, then wrote it-out from memory.  Continued to make long concert tours with his father until he was 21, frequently visiting Italy and Vienna, being feted wherever he went and producing many compositions.  Occasional periods at home in Salzburg, which became increasingly irksome, as the new Archbishop, in whose service he was, was unpopular and unappreciative of his gifts.  

1777.

Left service of Archbishop.  Traveled with mother to Mannheim, where heard famous orchestra and a new instrument, the clarinet.  Fell in love with Aloysia Weber, a singer, cousin of the composer, Weber.  Father ordered him to Paris.  

1778.

Arrived in Paris, but little interest taken in him - now too old to excite comment as a prodigy.  Wrote 'Paris' symphony.  Mother died there.  

1779.

Returned to service of Archbishop.  But found it so uncongenial that left two years later, and settled permanently in Vienna.  Met Haydn.  Each greatly admired the other.

1782.

Married Constanze Weber, sister of Aloysia, who had married someone else.  She proved to be a bad manager, and they lived in great poverty.  Always hoping for a regular, lucrative appointment, but never got one.  Gave lessons and concerts and continued to compose operas, symphonies, concertos, etc.  

1786.

'Marriage of Figaro' produced in Vienna, to enthusiastic audiences.  Then produced in Prague, where he went to hear it performed.  Wrote the 'Prague’ symphony and 'Don Giovanni’ for this town, and was very happy in the appreciative atmosphere.  

1787.

Continued living in poverty in Vienna, but wrote his 3 greatest symphonies, the Eь, the G minor and the 'Jupiter' in six weeks in 1788.  Added wind parts to Handel's works, including 'Messiah', for performances in Vienna. 1789.  Visited Dresden, Leipzig (where he played on Bach's organ), and Berlin; in hopes of making more money.  But little financial result.  Both he and his wife constantly ailing.  

1791.

Spurred himself to final effort.  'Magic Flute'.  'Requiem', commissioned by mysterious stranger, left unfinished on his deathbed.  Buried in pauper's grave.

A wonderful prodigy, who, after a most successful childhood, was neglected on reaching maturity, and who was 

Prematurely wom out by traveling and poverty.  Enjoyed billiards anal dancing.  

An ardent freemason.  

A fine pianist, particularly good at extemporizing.  

Also an organist and violinist though prefer red to play the viola in chamber music. 

Disliked teaching. 

A prolific composer, who was able to conceive a complete composition in his head before writing it down. 

Continued with chamber music on Haydn’s lines; further developed the symphony, adding a finer orchestral coloring; originated the modern concerto; wrote a number of fine operas. 

Work characterized by graceful sensitivity and great clarity of style.  Fond of chromatic melodic decorations, and occasional chromatic harmonies.

600 compositions preserved, of which few were printed in his lifetime.  Of varied merit.  

Many "occasional” compositions, written without enthusiasm.  Köchel collected them, hence " K numbers.

Over 40 symphonies, the last and greatest being No. 39 in Eь, K 543; No. 40 in G minor, K 550; and no. 41 in C, the 'Jupiter', K 551.  

Many other orchestral compositions, divertimenti, serenades, etc. ('Eine kleine Nacht Musik' is a serenade.)

25 concertos for piano solo, and a number for other instruments, including 5 for violin. 2 for flute, 1 each for oboe, clarinet and bassoon, 4 for horn, and 1 for flute and harp.

A large amount of chamber music, including 23 string quartets and several string quintets, 4 flute quartets, 1 oboe quartet, 2 piano quartets, and a clarinet quintet.

17 numbered piano sonatas and many other unnumbered 'fragments' and other piano works, such as variations, rondos and fantasies.  Many are comparatively early works, and overfull of mannerisms.

Large number of operas, the best-known being 'Idomeneo', 'The Abduction from the Seraglio', 'The Marriage of Figaro', 'Don Giovanni', 'Cosi fan Tutte' and 'The Magic Flute'.

A quantity of church music, masses, etc., the finest works being the Requiem Mass, the C minor Mass, 'Exultate Jubilate', and 'Ave Verum'.