Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Biography, Works, Timeline

• Buffer
• Tweet

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is arguably the greatest composer who, in his short life, produced an enormous music output in all forms and genres, something no composer has yet to surpass. From comic operas and symphonies, to chamber music, masses and the solemnity of requiem, Mozart’s legacy lives on, as his works are continuously captured not only in CDs but regularly performed in concert halls and opera houses all over the world, from Vienna’s Musikverein, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, to Boston’s Symphony Hall.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Biography

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg, Austria. His father, Leopold Mozart, was a court musician to the Archbishop-Prince of Salzburg, and his mother he dearly loved, was Anna Maria Pertl. Of the seven children, only Wolfgang Amadeus and his sister, Maria Anna “Nannerl” Mozart, four years his senior, survived infancy. Both Wolfgang and Nannerl showed early musical promise but Nannerl was soon overtaken at the keyboard by her brother when he was only four years old.

Doted on by his father, Mozart’s upbringing was unconventional and education was way ahead compared to other boys his age. His enthusiasm for music had no bounds – he started playing the harpsichord at three, played the violin at four. Aged five, he composed his own music and flabbergasted with admiration.

At the age of six, Mozart went on tour with his family. He and Nannerl performed double acts. They captivated audiences even before reaching Vienna. The family lived for many years, touring and playing all over Europe, with more performances for royalty.

In 1777, a young man of 21, he traveled to Munich, Augsburg and Mannheim. He fell in love Aloysia Weber, a 16-year old soprano in Mannheim. It was an unrequited love. He wanted to travel with Aloysia but Leopold Mozart insisted that Mozart went to Paris with his mother, instead.  His mother who had not been well for some time, caught a fever. Left alone most of the time in the lodgings, she tragically died, leaving the devastated Mozart. On his way back to Salzburg, Mozart caught up with Aloysia in Vienna who made it clear she had no affections for him. Those were painful times for the young man. Back in Salzburg, Mozart found his work restrictive. By 1781, he fell out with his employer, Count Colloredo, who treated him almost in the league of kitchen staff. In 1781, Mozart left for Vienna never to return to Salzburg. He took lodgings at the Weber family. By this time, Aloysia has gotten married. Mozart took notice of Constanze, Aloysia’s younger sister who he eventually married.

Mozart and Constanze had four sons and two daughters but only two survived infancy and both outliving their father, Karl Thomas Mozart the older one, and Franz Xavier Wolfgang Mozart.

Mozart remained prolific as a composer, and continued composing despite failing health. The couple lived expensively and often needed money. His famous and unfinished Requiem was his last piece when he passed away Dec 5, 1791 at the age of 35.

Resources about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Biography

Maria Anna “Nannerl” Mozart, sister of Wolfgang A Mozart
Jupiter”, K551

Resources about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Works

Mozart Life and Work from Mozarteum, Salzburg,  Austria
Compositions of Mozart: works by date, works by category

Timeline of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

1756 Born in Salzburg, Austria, January 27
1761 Composes his first piece, Minuet and Trio (K1)
1762 Mozart family goes on tour
1764 Mozart plays for Louis XV of France at Versailles, and George III at Buckingham Palace
1770-71 Tours Italy twice, and completes his String Quartets in G (K80)
1774-77 Concert Master for the Archbishop-Prince of Salzburg
1777 Experiences first love, with Aloysia Weber
1778 Mozart’s mother dies in Paris
1780 Aloysia Weber marries; Mozart composes Idomeneo (K.366)
1781 Departs Salzburg for Vienna, works as a freelance musician
1782 Marries Constanze Weber, August 4, and starts Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Abduction from the Seraglio)
1783 Birth of first son, June 17; son dies, August 19; Mass in C (K427) is performed, October 26
1787 Le Nozze di Figaro great success in Prague, Jan 17; Leopold Mozart dies, May 28
1788 Composes three symphonies (39, 40, 41) in six-week period
1791 Conducts La Clemenza di Tito (K621), Sept 6; Premiere of Die Zauberflöte (K620);  Dies in Vienna, December 5, leaves Requiem unfinished.

Resources about the Timeline of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart Society of America, Mozart Resources Online

Mozarteum facts and information about Mozart’s life, works, and lots more… from Salzburg, Austria

Resource by Tel

Tel Asiado is a writer, author, and business consultant, previously, IT manager & consultant. Her articles reflect her interests, from small business, biographies & histories, to classical music especially Mozart, art & literature, biographies, and Christian writings. Tel has produced non-fictions, e-books and anthologies. Her education is MBA in Computer Management, BSc Chemistry, Diploma in Small Business & Internet Mktg, and Cert IV Training and Assessment (TAA). Her small office/home site is homebizideasnow.com, and numerous information of Mozart and classical music, mozartandclassicalmusic.com.

Related Research For Teachers, Students, and Kids