2. Quote: Albert Einstein once said that while Beethoven created his music, Mozart's "was so pure that it seemed to have been ever-present in the universe, waiting to be discovered by the master."Beethoven THE END

3. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart A central figure of the Viennese classical school, considered the greatest musical genius of all time. Mozart’s career broke the mold of the old patronage system. He became part of the new system where composers would enjoy more freedoms and a higher standard of living. Mozart hoped to make a living from giving concerts. However, to make money, he sold compositions and taught

4. A Child Prodigy Born Jan. 27, 1756, in Salzburg, Austria, the son of Leopold Mozart, composer to the archbishop and a well-known violinist and author of a celebrated theoretical treatise a. Composed his first musical piece at age 5. b. From 1762, at 7 years of age, Wolfgang and his older sister, Maria Anna (called Nannerl) toured throughout Europe performing as harpsichordists and pianists--both separately and together. c. Wolfgang, a child prodigy also performed as a violinist and organist and received numerous commissions. d. First published works were 4 violin sonatas, composed in Paris in 1764

5. 1756-1791 In 1773 Mozart became the honorary concertmaster for the archbishop. In 1773 he came under the influence of Joseph Haydn (1732-1809). In 1774 a new archbishop had been installed which ended a cordial relationship between employer and employee.

6. By the Time Mozart Was 21: By 1777: a. Things were so strained that Mozart asked to be relieved of his duties. b. Mother died in Paris while on a trip with him through Munich, Mannheim and Paris. c. Wrote 7 violin sonatas, 7 piano sonatas, a ballet, and 3 symphonies works as a result of this trip.

7. In 1781, the final break between Mozart and the archbishop came when Mozart was being treated like and ate with the servants. This was also the year of his first successful opera (Idomeneo). At 25 years of age, he now had no patron and was completely on his own. It took 6 years to find a position as a composer, and then it was for Emperor Joseph II for a greatly reduced salary.

8. The Prodigy: 26 and counting In 1782 he married Constanze Weber, the daughter of friends. a. He increasingly became poorer and poorer, but his compositions were great critical successes. b. Had 2 children (Carl and Franz Xavier) who lived out of 7 births.

9. Mozart’s Demise Mozart was unable to complete his final work, the ‘Requiem’, because of illness. His favorite student, Franz Xavier Sussmayr, completed the Requiem. He died in Vienna on Dec. 5 1791 of advanced kidney disease at 1:00 a.m. In 1862 Ludwig von Kochel published his list of catalogued work by Mozart. Each work has a “K” number.

10. IMPORTANT WORKS (626 known published works) 41 symphonies 19 operas (The best known is The Magic Flute) 27 piano sonatas 5 violin concerti 25 string quartets 19 masses