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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Mozart Biography MOZART Johann Chrysostomus Wolfgang Gottlieb, noted musical Composer, born in Salzburg, Germany, Jan. 27, 1756; died Dec. 4, 1791. His father was a director of I the archi-episcopal chapel in his native town, and gave the utmost care to his development of musical talent. In 1762 he and his sister were taken to Munich and Vienna for skillful training, where they received encouragement from the director of Bavaria and Emperor Francis I. The young musician began to compose symphonies at a very early age, and when only fifteen years old he was admitted as a member to the Philharmonic Society at Bologna, Italy, though the rule barred all under twenty from admission. While attending the Sistine Chapel splendid Easter music was given, which Mozart reproduced from memory after hearing it but once, and at the age of sixteen be ranked with the finest musicians in the world. The court at Vienna selected him as imperial composer in 1779, where he located immediately after, and at that city most of the noted musical productions upon which his fame rests were composed. In 1780 he wrote his great composition entitled "Idomeneo,"' in the same year married Constance Weber, and from this time on was reputed the greatest musician that the world had known. His reputation extended not only to the German-speaking nations and regions, but spread rapidly through France, Italy, England, and other European countries, all giving him enthusiastic reception in his tours devoted to concerts and musical teaching, while the sale of his published works brought him a large profit. He was also granted a handsome annual salary by the king of Prussia, and distinguished honors were conferred upon him in many of the leading countries. His death occurred shortly after finishing a requiem mass on which he had worked about a month. It is said of Mozart that no composer ever combined in equal proportions the perfection of learning and genius, and no one ever wrote with greater ease, finer dignity, and more profound scholarship. He excelled in every department of composing, and, when one contemplates the briefness of his life, it is indeed wonderful to note the large number and variety of his masterful productions. His entire list of different compositions numbers 624. Among them are thirteen symphonies, two cantatas, twenty-four pianoforte sonatas, four operas, and numerous hymns and offertories. His principal works embrace "Mister;" "Mithridates;" "Clemency of Titus;" "Marriage of Figaro;" "Magic Flute;" "Seduction of the Serail;" "Don Giovanni," and "Requiem." Several fine monuments have been erected to his honor, among them one of much beauty at Vienna. His musical works are among the finest and most popular ever produced. The Teachers' and Pupils' Cyclopędia, Vol. III (Kansas City: Bufton Book Co., 1909) 1212-1213. |