Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Life and Works of a Musical Genius

1. Ms. Harris Music Course 5th Grade Today’s Lesson will focus on the life and works of: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart The Child Prodigy

2. Wolfgang AmadeusMozart Biography (Life Story) Not much is known of Wolfgang’s very early life. Born in Salzburg, Austria on Jan. 27, 1756, his full name was Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Amadeus Gottlieb Theophilus Mozart. He had one older sister whom they called “Nannerl.” She was 4 years older than Mozart and played the piano very well.

3. Wolfgang AmadeusMozart Biography (Life Story) Mozart showed musical gifts at a very early age, composing when he was 5 and, when he was 6, playing before many of Europe’s royalty, including the Empress of Austria. Mozart’s family set out on a tour that took them to Paris and London, visiting numerous royal courts where he wrote his earliest symphonies and had his first compositions published.

4. Wolfgang AmadeusMozart Biography (Life Story) As a young man, Mozart traveled all over Europe, showcasing his talents. Eventually, he began to look for work as a court musician. Leaving Salzburg with his mother, Mozart traveled to Vienna, Germany, France, England, and Italy. There, he wrote several compositions. But Mozart suffered a great loss in Paris, France where his mother died after being ill for some time.

5. Wolfgang AmadeusMozart Biography (Life Story) Just because Mozart was a genius did not mean he didn’t have to work hard. Mozart worked very hard during his life to make a living at creating beautiful music. Mozart wrote many operas, concertos, quartets, and other pieces. He was friends with some of the most famous musicians of the time, including composer, Joseph Hayden, who admired Mozart’s genius.

6. Wolfgang AmadeusMozart Biography (Life Story) As can often be the case with many artists, Mozart was not as famous during his lifetime as he was after his death. But, even though times were very difficult for him, Mozart was able to write some of his best works. The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and The Magic Flute are considered among the best operas ever written.

7. Wolfgang AmadeusMozart Biography (Life Story) Mozart became ill and died on December 5,1791. He was extremely poor when he died. His burial the next day was attended only by the person who dug his grave. Though he died at a young age, Mozart’s music continues to thrive as great works of art even to this day His name is known by people all over the world.

8. Wolfgang AmadeusMozart Questions About Mozart • When was Mozart born? • Name two countries Mozart visited when he was young. • In which country did Mozart suffer a terrible loss? What was that loss? • Name one opera Mozart wrote. • When did Mozart die? How old was he? • What kind of music would you say Mozart wrote – classical, contemporary, rap, or rock?

9. Wolfgang AmadeusMozart Mozart’s Music This is a partial listing of some of Mozart’s compositions. Let’s Listen to a few!RealPlayer Needed. • Allegro Sonata in C for Keyboard and Violinwas written in 1762 and 1764 when Mozart was between 6 and 8 years old. • Motetin G minor, "God is Our Refuge“ was written in 1765. How old was Mozart when he wrote this piece? • As the Battles of Lexington and Concord open the American War of Independence, Mozart was writing Il rè pastore (K. 208). Here is the Overture. • Just before his death, Mozart wrote one of his most famous pieces, The Requiem. The Introitus is the beginning of the work; Confutatis is one of the middle pieces; and the Lacrimosa marks the end of the Requiem.

10. Wolfgang AmadeusMozart Links To Mozart Information Web Pages Salzburg Celebrates its most Famous son http://www2.salzburg.info/mozart.html See where Mozart lived during his lifetime http://www2.salzburg.info/sehenswertes_27.html Mozart’s Family Tree http://www.mozartproject.org/biography/tree.html Mozart’s Time Line http://www.artsalive.ca/en/mus/greatcomposers/mozart/mozart-times.html