Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1756. His father, Leopold was a violinist and composer. Wolfgang was a child prodigy. He composed his first piece of music at age five; he had his first piece published when he was seven; and he wrote his first opera when he was twelve. By the time Wolfgang was 6, he was an excellent pianist and violinist. He and his sister Maria Anna traveled all over Europe performing for royalty. One piece that Mozart wrote as a young boy was Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

As a young man, Mozart tried to earn a living as a composer and pianist in Paris, but he wasn't very successful. He returned to his home in Salzburg where he got a job as a musician and composer in the court of the Archbishop of Salzburg. He quickly grew tired of this job and thought Salzburg was too small for his talent. He moved to Vienna where he got married, had two sons, and started to have some success as a musician.

During his lifetime, Mozart was very well-known, but spent money faster than he could earn it. He was poor and in debt when he died of kidney failure at the age of 35 in 1791. Mozart is considered by some to be the greatest composer who ever lived. While most composers specialize in certain kinds of pieces, Mozart created more than 600 musical works, all masterpieces, for different musical forms including operas, symphonies, concertos, masses, and chamber music. Today, he is still considered a genius!

Rondo alla Turca

One of Mozart's best-known tunes is his 'Rondo alla Turca'. Mozart composed it as part of a larger piece when he was about 27 years old. Like other music from the classical era, it features a very clear and singable melody. Mozart's melody has become so popular that it has inspired many other musicians to create their own cover versions.