1. Wolfgang Mozart
By Garrett Anderson
Wolfgang Mozart
Garrett Anderson

2. Birth Wolfgang Mozart was born January 27th 1756 in Austria.
He was born to his parents Leopold and Anna Maria Mozart.
He was born into a very musical family and only had one sibling.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27th 1756 to Leopold and Anna Maria Mozart in Austria. Growing up, Mozart only had one sibling to share his parent’s attention with because his other siblings didn’t survive past childbirth. Born into a musical family, Mozart was thrown into the music world at a young age. His father, Leopold, was a teacher as well as a composer, mainly for the violin.

3. Family
Mozart’s family was extremely musical and he was introduced to music at a very young age.
Mozart grew up with only one other sibling, his other siblings not surviving past child birth.
Mozart’s father Leopold was a teacher/composer that mainly focused on the violin.
Mozart’s interest in music first became evident when he was only three years old. As he watched his father teach his sister, Maria, how to play the keyboard, Mozart watched her in amazement. Eventually, he went up to the piano on his own and began playing small chords. When his father noticed Mozart’s interest in the keyboard, he began teaching Mozart along with his sister, except Mozart was only four years old at the time, his sister was eight.

4. Prodigy
Mozart’s father Leopold quit his job wanting to focus on his sons talents realizing he was special.
Mozart not only excelled in keyboard but also the violin at a very young age.
Mozart wrote his first composition Andante in C at the age of 5!
Leopold eventually gave up his profession to focus on his son, and his abilities, because it was becoming evident that Mozart’s talent was unlike any other. Mozart was not only excelling in his talent for the keyboard, but he was mastering the art of the violin as well. At five years old, Mozart wrote his first composition, Andante in C.

5. Touring Years
Leopold took Mozart and his sister Maria around Europe to tour for 11 years.
Throughout the tour, Mozart continued to write multiple compositions, including his first opera, La Finta Semplice.
At the end of Mozart’s tour, he was employed as a court musician in Salzburg, his home-town.
Knowing his children were musical prodigies, Leopold took Maria and Mozart to tour around Europe for 11 years. Throughout the tour, Mozart continued to write multiple compositions, including his first opera, La Finta Semplice, Mozart also wrote compositions for the violin and harpsichord. At the end of Mozart’s tour, he was employed as a court musician in Salzburg, his home-town.

6. Salzburg
During his time working in Salzburg, Mozart composed some of his most famous works.
Mozart also gained an enthusiasm for violin concertos, but later turned to piano concertos.
In 1777, Mozart resigned his position as the court musician in Salzburg and began searching for another job outside of Salzburg.
It was at this time where Mozart composed some of his most famous works. During this time, Mozart also gained an enthusiasm for violin concertos, but later turned to piano concertos.
In 1777, Mozart resigned his position as the court musician in Salzburg and began searching for another job outside of Salzburg.

7. First Opera Mozart’s first opera was titled Idomeneo.
His opera Idomeneo became very popular, and earned Mozart a ticket to Vienna to perform on behalf of his Salzburg employer.
While his initial experience in Vienna wasn’t an enjoyable one, Mozart decided to stay in Vienna to further his career as a composer and performer.
He did so for a year, but was unsuccessful and returned to Salzburg to take up a different position. Mozart remained in Salzburg for a few years working and composing. His opera Idomeneo became very popular, and earned Mozart a ticket to Vienna to perform on behalf of his Salzburg employer. While his initial experience in Vienna wasn’t an enjoyable one, Mozart decided to stay in Vienna to further his career as a composer and performer.

8. Vienna
In Vienna, Mozart flourished as a pianist, performing for most of the population.
His opera Die Entführung aus dem Serail, gained a lot of recognition and achieved success throughout all of German-speaking Europe.
In Vienna, Mozart flourished as a pianist, performing for most of the population. His opera Die Entführung aus dem Serail, gained a lot of recognition and achieved success throughout all of German-speaking Europe, granting Mozart a reputation as not only a great performer, but also as a composer.

9. Marriage
In Vienna, Mozart met his wife Constanze Weber and they married in 1782.
Together, they had six children, but only two survived past infancy.
In Vienna, Mozart met his wife Constanze Weber and they married in Together, they had six children, but only two survived past infancy.

10. Influences
During his time in Vienna, Mozart began acquainting himself with the works of other composers and began to learn from them.
Some of these included Bach and Handel along with other Baroque composers.
Mozart's study of these composers created a baroque style that soon became evident throughout Mozart’s works.
During this time, Mozart began acquainting himself with the works of other composers and began to learn from them. Some of these included Bach and Handel along with other Baroque composers. Mozarts study of these composers created a baroque style that soon became evident throughout Mozart’s works.

11. Baroque Style
His most famous work that includes baroque techniques is his opera Die Zauberflöte, also known as The Magic Flute.
Mozart was also influenced by Haydn, whom he frequently met with in Vienna.
Mozart appreciated Haydn’s quartets and then created some of his own that were dedicated to Haydn.
His most famous work that includes baroque techniques is his opera Die Zauberflöte, also known as The Magic Flute. Mozart was also influenced by Haydn, whom he frequently met with in Vienna. Haydn specialized in violin quartets. Mozart appreciated Haydn’s quartets and then created some of his own that were dedicated to Haydn.

12. Concerts
In 1782, Mozart began promoting himself with concerts where he performed on his own.
He would present new piano concertos for each season. Primarily, these concerts were small, but they quickly grew in popularity.
Mozart’s income quickly grew as well, however Mozart relished in his new income, and left almost nothing to his savings.
In 1782, Mozart began promoting himself with concerts where he performed on his own. Each time, he would present new piano concertos for each season. Primarily, these concerts were small, but they quickly grew in popularity. Because of this increased popularity, Mozart’s income quickly grew as well, provided a very comfortable lifestyle for him and his wife, Constanze; however Mozart relished in his new income, and left almost nothing to his savings.

13. Operas
In 1786, Mozart composed one of his most famous operas, The Marriage of Figaro, which was quickly followed by his opera Don Giovanni.
Mozart quickly became the most well known composer in all of Europe as his operas gained more popularity.
Mozart stepped back from his adoration of piano concertos, and returned to his love of writing operas. In 1786, Mozart composed one of his most famous operas, The Marriage of Figaro, which was quickly followed by his opera Don Giovanni, due to the success of The Marriage of Figaro. Mozart was quickly becoming the most well known composer in all of Europe as his operas were gaining more popularity.

14. Later Years
As Mozart grew older, his circumstances began to decline. He wasn’t making as much money as he was before, and due to his lack of ability to save, he became unable to keep up with his lavish lifestyle.
He stopped performing in concerts, and the popularity of music began to decline as well due to the war.
In 1787, Mozart resigned from his self-appointed position as a composer, and accepted a position under Emperor Joseph II as his chamber composer.
As Mozart grew older, his circumstances began to decline. He wasn’t making as much money as he was before, and due to his lack of ability to save, he became unable to keep up with his lavish lifestyle. He stopped performing in concerts, and the popularity of music began to decline as well due to the war that Austria was in.

15. Financial Struggles
Mozart was forced to move his family into a lower-income neighborhood, but this didn’t really help his situation all that much.
Mozart tried to find ways of getting money, but did so unsuccessfully. Eventually, he resorted to borrowing money from friends.
Because of this, Mozart was forced to move his family into a lower-income neighborhood, but this didn’t really help his situation all that much. For years, Mozart tried to find ways of getting money, but did so unsuccessfully. Eventually, he resorted to borrowing money from friends.

16. Illness Mozart became ill in 1791.
The actual illness is still not known to this day, but most the common theory is that it was a military fever.
Although he suffered greatly from this sickness, he managed to compose even more works that acquired massive appreciation.
In addition to Mozart’s financial disabilities, Mozart quickly became ill in The actual illness is still not known to this day, but most the common theory is that it was a military fever. Although he suffered greatly from this sickness, he managed to compose even more works that acquired massive appreciation.

17. Final Years
While Mozart was sick he composed his famous Requiem K. 626.
Mozart advertised his opera The Magic Flute, which gave him a stable enough income, allowing him to begin paying off some of his debts.
At this time, Mozart advertised his opera The Magic Flute, which gave him a stable enough income, allowing him to begin paying off some of his debts. It was at this time that Mozart also composed his famous Requiem K. 626.

18. Death
Mozart was buried in a common grave in the St Marx Cemetery on Dec 7th.
Mozart was cared for by his wife and sister-in-law until his death in 1791, leaving all his debts to his wife.
After his death there were a lot of biographies written and Mozart’s popularity grew very substantially.
Mozart was cared for by his wife and sister-in-law until his death in 1791, leaving all his debts to his wife. Mozart was buried in a common grave in the St Marx Cemetery on Dec 7th. No one mourned at the funeral but there were concerts in Vienna and Prague that had many people attend.

19. His Legacy
Mozart managed to produce some of the world’s most famous classical music, that is still highly recognized in today’s modern world.
His works helped influence composers such as Ludwig Van Beethoven and still influence artists today.
His legacy as the greatest classical composer will live on forever.
After his death there were a lot of biographies written and Mozart’s popularity grew very substantially.
Although his life consisted of only 35 short years, throughout his lifetime, Mozart managed to produce some of the world’s most famous classical music that is still highly recognized in today’s modern world. His works helped influence composers such as Ludwig Van Beethoven and still influence artists today. His legacy as one of the best classical composers will live on forever.

20. Mozart’s Requiem
Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor (K. 626) was composed in Vienna in 1791.
It is believed that the major influence of the Requiem came from Mozart trying to rearrange Handel’s work Messiah.
The Requiem was left unfinished at Mozart’s death and there are multiple theories on how it was completed.
I want to give a brief history of the entire composition before I go into greater detail about each movement that I listened to. Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor (K. 626) was composed in Vienna in It is believed that the major influence of the Requiem came from Mozart trying to rearrange Handel’s work Messiah. The Requiem was left unfinished at Mozart’s death and there are multiple theories on how it was completed. This is one of the most interesting pieces of music ever composed and a big reason for that is the mystery behind how much of it was actually written by Mozart, before he died. The Requiem was commissioned by Franz Von Walsegg who actually used people to act on his behalf. The count was an amateur musician who often commissioned works by composers and then passed them off as his own. He wanted the Requiem as a way to memorialize the passing of his wife.

21. Requiem Continued
Mozart agreed to write the Requiem but during this time was very ill. He only received half of the payment up front for composing it and this is why the rumors began that his wife Constanze had someone else finish it to receive the full payment.
It is believed that the requiem was worked on by Freystädtler , Joseph von Eybler and Franz Xavier Sussmayr.
Mozart agreed to write the Requiem but during this time was very ill. He only received half of the payment up front for composing it and this is why the rumors began that his wife Constanze had someone else finish it to receive the full payment. It is believed that first she gave the Requiem to F. X. Freystädtler so that he could orchestrate Kyrie so it could be played at Mozart’s funeral. Then to Joseph von Eybler he worked on the movements from Dies irae To Lacrimosa but gave it back to Constanze feeling that he couldn’t complete it. The Requiem was then given to Franz Xavier Sussmayr to be completed. Sussmayr was a pupil and colleague of Mozart who was already helping him write the score. He pulled together what Joseph von Eybler had done and also used notes and movements from Mozart to complete the Requiem. He added the movements Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei. He also added the final section Lux aeterna, both Constanze and Sussmayr claim that he used the opening to movements to finish the mass because that was Mozart’s direction. This also is something that many scholars question thinking Mozart wouldn’t have done this if he was able to finish the work himself.

22. Requiem Conclusion
Once completed, the work was submitted to Count Walsegg. There was a counterfeit signature of Mozart that was dated 1792 on the piece.
All of the intrigue of how the Requiem was actually finished just adds to its story, but never the less it remains one of the most famous pieces of music ever composed.
There also are theories that more than just these composers worked on the Requiem to help complete it, just adding to the intrigue. Once completed, the work was submitted to Count Walsegg. There was a counterfeit signature of Mozart that was dated 1792 on the piece. Constanze then had the Requiem played at a benefit concert January 2nd 1793 without telling the count.. The count then played the Requiem on December 14, 1793, in the Neuklusterkirche in Wiener Neustadt. The Requiem is one of the most famous pieces of all time and has been performed thousands of times a few memorable performances were October 30, 1849 at Frédéric Chopin’s funeral. Also it was performed January 19, 1964 at a mass for former United States President John F. Kennedy. The question of exactly how much of the Requiem Mozart completed just adds to its appeal, but the fact remains that it is one of the most popular classical pieces of all time.
I chose a few movements from the Requiem to listen to. The first movement I listened to was Introitus: Aeternam Requiem. This is the piece that opens the Requiem; it is believed that Mozart actually completed this entire portion of the Requiem before his death. Many people believe that this movement was inspired by Handel’s Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline. This piece opens up quietly with the choir singing with the background music consisting mostly of string instruments. The version of the song I listened too was a recorded by Wilma Lipp. It was released May 2nd 2009.
The 2nd movement I listened to was Kyrie. Mozart was able to complete the vocal portion of Kyrie and also the continuo. Kyrie is a very upbeat and strong piece. The word “kyrie” means Lord and is a common word used for important prayers in different faiths worldwide. It was believed to be finished by Mozart’s pupils after his death. Kyrie was worked on by F. X. Freystädtler to complete the orchestration so that it could be played at Mozart’s funeral. It was also later worked on by Franz Xavier Sussmayr when the entire Requiem was completed. It is believed the Kyrie was inspired by Handel’s Messiah. The recording of Kyrie that I listened to was performed by Berliner Philharmoniker and released on May 2nd 2009.
The 3rd and final movement I listened to was Domine Jesu. Mozart was able to complete the vocal section of this movement as well as the continuo. Domine Jesu was then completed by Franz Xavier Sussmayr. The movement opens up with all the voices of the choir and is very calming. The movement is played in the major key and is an uplifting movement. Domine Jesu is part of the offertorium which means a place where offerings are brought. The recording I listened to was performed by Wilma Lipp. It was released May 2nd 2009.

23. Requiem Listening Guide Introitus: aeternam Requiem
It is believed that Mozart completed this portion of the requiem.
This section of the requiem has parts that are in the major and minor key.
The background music features mainly strings and oboes.
He alternates the voices of the bases, altos, sopranos and tenors throughout and eventually has them all sing at the same time as well.
Mozart: Requiem in D Minor K. 626
Introitus: aeternam Requiem
: 00 Introduction: This movement starts out very quietly with a gradual crescendo at a lento tempo. The background consists of mainly strings instruments alternating with intervals back and forth while an oboe plays a soft melody at a similar pitch with the strings instruments. The instruments used give this movement a more delicate timbre. As the melody progresses, the intervals continue to move up in pitch, but remain at a similar dynamic setting.
: 53 Forte chord comes in and alternating intervals build up until 1:00.
1:01 Bases come in beginning first verse of “Requiem”.
1:05 Tenors come in singing the same verse.
1:09 Altos come in with the verse.
1:14 Sopranos come in to finish the round. 4 part harmony commences and lasts throughout the first verse. All parts are singing the same verse, but at a different timing giving this movement a lot of texture, because all parts are interwoven.
1:51 Small musical interlude
1:55 All voices sing the same words at different pitches for the first time “Et Lux Perpetua” at a forte dynamic, but as they continue with the chorus, it continues to build up in dynamic and slightly in tempo.
2:10 Crescendo climax’s then dies down immediately for small musical interlude.
2:16 All parts come in unison to sing “Luceat Eis”.
2:27 Musical interlude that mimics the introduction, except more instruments play the melody.
2:39 Soprano Solo, begins in Major, but ends Minor
3:12 The rest of the choir joins in bringing the music to a forte dynamic. Lower voices unify in singing the same part, while the Sopranos differ singing a similar melody just at a different time. This part could be considered the bridge, because it is the only part that differs from the regular alternating intervals that occurred at the beginning.
3:30 Voices unify to finish the melody.
3:37 Round begins again between the parts, as they harmonize, many dissonant chords are presented.
3:55 Voices die off and musical interlude begins. Now, the regular melody presented in the beginning reappear, except the string instruments are playing the melody over the melodic intervals which are being played by the rest of the orchestra.
4:11 Male voices being this verse, with the women following behind. The tempo is a little slower than andante, but the dynamics are in a gradual crescendo as the pitch of the music goes up as well. The orchestra is now playing a run of eighth notes that are also generally moving up in pitch.
5:13 Soprano voices come in fortissimo singing “Et Lux Perpetua” Then lower voices follow singing the same thing at different pitches. Tempo slows down a little bit.
5:30 All voices sing “Et Lux Perpetua” for the climax. Tempo is still slow, but this is the loudest part of this movement.
5:38 All voices die down to sing “Luceat Eis” very slowly and quietly over a period of time, leading into the next movement.

24. Kyrie Listening Guide This movement starts with bases singing “Kyrie”
The movement begins in a Minor Key.
The movement of Kyrie features violins accompanied by other string instruments.
It ends with all the voices coming together singing “Kyrie Eleison” also adding percussion to add effect.
Kyrie
:00 Bases begin with the melody “Kyrie”. They come in very loudly creating a strong and powerful timbre that lasts throughout the movement. The movement begins in a minor key.
:04 Violins enter along with other string instruments also playing the melody with the Bases now in the background.
:11 Sopranos enter in singing the same verse
:14 Tenors enter in singing the same verse
:21 Altos come in louder than the rest along with some percussion, causing them to stand out more because they’re the last section to come in, creating a 4 part harmony.
:57 Bases come in very loudly, increasing the drama, as the dynamics continue to rise as well. All 4 voices come in and out, each time they come in, they enter at a louder dynamic causing them to stand out while the other parts continue to repeat the same phrase in different variations creating texture that lasts throughout the movement.
1:20 The round continues, but the music is becoming more fluid, rather than the short staccato than it was before.
1:35 The round continues, but more dissonant chords and intervals are present, differing from the fluidity from before. These new chords add to the suspense that the round has been creating thus far.
2:08 All parts come together for a short unison and have a slight decrescendo, only to begin another long crescendo.
2:25 There’s a slight ritardando and then all the voices land on a very dissonant chord. This chord differs from the rest of the movement, because it is the only part of the movement where there isn’t a fluidity in the background coming from a section.
2:30 All voices come together to sing one last “Kyrie Eleison” at a very slow and broad tempo. The dynamic here is fortissimo, and the choir drags out the last note for some time. Percussion is added to this part to add dramatized effect as well.

25. Domine Jesu Listening Guide
This song begins with all voices and is in the Major Key. Before going to just women singing. Giving a calming feeling.
As the men re-enter the song in the middle it begins to add a dramatic and mysterious feel.
The song ends with all voices becoming unified and slowing and quieting. The movement ends in the Major tone.
Domine Jesu
:00 All voices are present at the beginning of this movement. The orchestra is playing fluid sixteenths in the background. The tempos begins at a pace that’s slightly faster than andante. The timbre at this point is very calming and fluid.
:08 All voices jump up in pitch and experience a large dynamic increase
:11 As quickly as the dynamics rose, they have now declined to turn the phrase into something more mysterious. However, the tempo remains the same.
:22 Women break out at this time presenting a new theme that the men mimic right after. The dynamics are now at a mezzo-forte with the tempo a little faster than andante.
:35 All voices sing at the same time, but at a lower pitch, tempo, and dynamic than anything already presented, bringing back the mysterious mood.
:44 The mysterious setting quickly disappears to initiate a new theme that is much more dramatic due to the louder dynamics, but only lasts for a short period of time.
:46 The key has transposed into a major key, giving this section a more happy feel to it, implying peace. The women voices shine through right here because the general pitch is much higher than before.
:52 The men join in at fortissimo adding a dramatic effect singing a different theme.
:57 The peaceful and the dramatic theme continue to alternate adding drama because they differ so much. Except now the women and men join into both scenes causing the whole song to build up tension.
1:06 Men begin a new section that is very punctuated and jumps around. The altos and sopranos follow continuing the theme. Each section comes in and out repeating a similar phrase, each time entering in more loudly than before. This section begins fortissimo, and suspense is constantly building although the dynamics don’t increase very much.
1:35 Every part dies down for two seconds, allowing all parts to join in very quietly and slowly, bringing back the mysterious feel from before.
1:42 Alto soloist begins, followed by a tenor, bass, and soprano. The orchestra in the background is very punctuated because it jumps around a lot. The solos contrast this punctuality because their solos are very fluid, however there is still some fierceness coming from their diction and how they annunciate the words.
2:18 Basses join in present a new melody. The tenors follow, with the altos and sopranos trailing behind. Each section sings the same melody, but in different variations and at different times creating a round.
2:47 Each section joins in again to restart the melody, they come in louder than the rest of the orchestra and other sections, causing them to stand out. While this is occurring, the orchestra and choir as a whole are building up in suspense.
3:11 A small lift in the round occurs here, and it restarts.
3:24 The round ends, and everything dies down, bringing the mysterious mood from before, a ritardando occurs here as well.
3:31 Sopranos introduce a new melody at a pianissimo dynamic, but while the tempo has picked up to its original pace, the dynamics are still very low.
3:44 Bases come back in bringing back the melody presented at 2:18. The round quickly picks up again, but is now very fierce at a fortissimo dynamic.
3:57 Conclusion: All parts die down to a slower tempo and dynamic and are now unified in a four part harmony to sing the ending phrase. The movement then ends on a major chord.

26. Bibliography http://www.classicalnotes.net/classics/mozartrequiem.html
Bibliography