The Life and Works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Megan Schlegel Middle School General Music
Dec 17, 2015
Mozart’s Birth• Mozart was born
on January 27, 1756 in Salsburg, Austria
• He was the son of Leopold and Anna Maria Mozart
• Mozart was the second of seven children, but only two survived infancy
Mozart’s Early Years• Mozart showed musical gifts at an
early age• He began composing at the age of
five• He was performing for the Bavarian
elector and Austrian empress at age six
• The family went on a tour to royal courts in cities like London and Paris in mid-1763
Mozart’s Influences
• Johann Christian Bach’s musical style was a large influence on Mozart’s early works
• Later in his life, Mozart used Joseph Haydn as an inspiration
Johann Christian Bach
Joseph Haydn
Mozart’s Works
• Symphonies• Concertos• Concertante
Symphonies• Solo Piano Music
• Chamber Music• Instrumental
Works• Sacred Music• Operas
Mozart’s Symphonies• Childhood Symphonies (1764-1771)
• 13 Numbered Symphonies (Nos. 1-13)• There are also a fair amount of unnumbered
symphonies from this time• Salsburg-era Symphonies (1771-1781)
• 17 Numbered Symphonies (Nos. 14-30)• Sometimes these are subcategorized as
“Early” and “Late” symphonies• None were in print during Mozart’s life
• Late Symphonies (1781-1791)• 10 Numbered Symphonies (Nos. 31-41)• His final three symphonies (Nos. 39-41) were
completed in about three months
Mozart’s ConcertosPiano Concertos
• Mozart composed twenty-seven piano concertos• Four are solo
concertos• Concerto No. 7 is
written for three pianos, Concerto No. 10 is written for two pianos
• The remaining twenty-one are for piano and orchestra
Piano Concerto No. 20
Mozart’s ConcertosViolin Concertos
• Mozart wrote five violin concertos while in his late teens
• His violin concertos are noted for their beautiful melodies and skillful use of the expressive and technical characteristics of the instrument
Violin Concerto No. 5
Mozart’s ConcertosHorn Concertos
• Mozart wrote four concertos for horn
• These concertos are a major part of the professional horn players’ repertoire
Horn Concerto No. 4
Mozart’s ConcertosOther Concertos
• Mozart also wrote numerous concertos for other instruments:• Bassoon• Oboe• Clarinet• Flute• Harp
Mozart’s Concertante Symphonies
• A concertante symphony is a musical work that combines the genres of the concerto and symphony
• Mozart wrote two Concertante Symphonies:• Simfonia Concertante
for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra K. 364
• Simfonia Concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, and Bassoon K. 297b
Mozart’s Piano Music
• Mozart’s piano works include:• Nanneri’s Music
Book• 19 Piano
Sonatas• 6 Double Piano
Sonatas• 4 Fantasies
Mozart’s Chamber Music
• Mozart wrote numerous chamber music pieces including:• 36 Violin Sonatas• Variations for
Violin and Piano• String Duos,
Trios, Quartets, and Quintets
• Woodwind Chamber Music
Mozart’s Instrumental Works
• The most notable instrumental work by Mozart is known as Gran Partita and was written for 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 basset horns, 4 hunting horns, 2 bassoons and double bass
Mozart’s Sacred Music
• Mozart’s sacred music includes 18 Masses• Requiem in D
minor is probably the most famous of his works
Mozart’s Operas
• Mozart wrote twenty operas in his lifetime
• The most famous ones include:• The Marriage of
Figaro• Don Giovanni• The Magic Flute
The Marriage of Figaro