Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is regarded by many as one of the most prominent composers in the history of western music. He was born in Salzburg in 1756 but spent a large number of years in Vienna, during which his style evolved into what can be classed as the peak of Viennese Classicism. In his maturity, Mozart’s music became characterised by its elegance, rich harmony and texture, melodic beauty and he excelled in each and every genre that existed at the time. Although his musical style is firmly grounded in Austrian and German tradition, it is richly influenced by Italian opera.
Mozart’s father Leopold was himself a composer and musician and he greatly influenced his two children. His father’s teachings were not limited to music: Leopold also taught his children mathematics, literature, languages, dancing and moral and religious philosophy. Mozart’s older sister Nannerl was a prodigious performer in her own right, giving frequent public performances in her youth.
The Mozart family travelled around Europe in order for Leopold to show to the world the great gift he believed God had sent him in his talented children. A concert tour of numerous courts across Europe lasted for three and a half years: the family left Salzburg by way of Munich and on to Belgium and France. On New Years’ Day 1764, eight year old Mozart and his sister performed before Louis XV, before moving on to tour London, The Hague, Amsterdam, Zurich, Munich and finally back to Salzburg.
Mozart was employed at the Salzburg court from 1773 to 1777 where he worked in numerous genres, such as symphonies, sonatas, string quartets, masses and some operas. It was during his time at the Salzburg court that he grew fond of the violin and wrote his violin concertos. Towards the end of his time there, he turned his attention towards piano concertos, where he made major breakthroughs in musicality, form and harmony. In late summer 1777, Mozart resigned from his post due to the low pay and lack of opportunity to compose any substantial operas.