Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian composer and one of the most influential figures in Western classical music. Born in Salzburg in 1756, Mozart showed prodigious talent from a very young age. His father, Leopold Mozart, recognized his gifts and took him on extensive tours around Europe, showcasing young Wolfgang’s abilities to compose and perform music. Over his short life—he died at the age of 35—Mozart composed more than 600 works across virtually every musical genre, including symphonies, concertos, operas, and chamber music. His compositions are noted for their melodic beauty, technical brilliance, and emotional depth. Here's a look at some key aspects of his work and legacy:

### 1. **Symphonies**:

   - **Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter"**: Mozart’s final symphony, the "Jupiter" Symphony, is celebrated for its grandeur and complexity, particularly in the contrapuntal finale. Named by the impresario Johann Peter Salomon, the "Jupiter" Symphony (Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551) combines themes in an intricate five-voice fugato that showcases Mozart’s mastery of counterpoint. It was written during an intense period in the summer of 1788, when Mozart composed his final three symphonies.

   - **Symphony No. 40 in G Minor**: Often referred to as the “Great G Minor Symphony” to distinguish it from an earlier G Minor symphony (Symphony No. 25), Symphony No. 40 is one of only two minor-key symphonies by Mozart. Its opening movement is instantly recognizable for its urgency and passion, a departure from the more measured style of the Classical period.

   - **Symphony No. 36 "Linz"**: Composed in just four days while Mozart was visiting the Austrian city of Linz, this symphony is characterized by its lively melodies and dynamic contrasts. It opens with a slow introduction, a feature Mozart began to use more frequently in his later symphonies.

### 2. **Operas**:

   - **The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte)**: One of Mozart’s most popular operas, *The Magic Flute* is a Singspiel, or opera with spoken dialogue. It combines Masonic symbolism with a fantastical narrative and features the famous “Queen of the Night” aria, known for its extremely high notes. The opera tells the story of Prince Tamino, who must overcome trials to rescue Princess Pamina and achieve enlightenment.

   - **The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro)**: Written in collaboration with librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte, *The Marriage of Figaro* is a comedy that explores themes of love, class conflict, and deception. Based on a play by Beaumarchais, it was a controversial choice given its critique of the aristocracy, but it quickly became one of Mozart’s most enduring works.

   - **Don Giovanni**: Another collaboration with Da Ponte, *Don Giovanni* blends comedy and tragedy to tell the story of the titular libertine. The opera culminates in a dramatic scene in which the unrepentant Don Giovanni is dragged to Hell by a statue of the Commendatore, a man he killed earlier in the story. Mozart’s music in this opera brilliantly captures the psychological depth of the characters.

### 3. **Requiem in D Minor, K. 626**:

   - Mozart’s Requiem, left unfinished at his death in 1791, has become one of his most iconic works. Commissioned anonymously by Count Franz von Walsegg, who intended to pass it off as his own, the Requiem remained incomplete when Mozart died. His student Franz Xaver Süssmayr completed the piece based on Mozart’s sketches and notes. The work’s somber beauty and powerful choral passages have made it a staple of sacred music and a subject of fascination due to the myths surrounding its creation.

### 4. **Piano Concertos**:

   - **Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467 ("Elvira Madigan")**: This concerto gained the nickname “Elvira Madigan” after its second movement was featured in a Swedish film by that name. Known for its lyrical, serene Andante, this concerto exemplifies Mozart’s ability to write music that is both technically demanding and emotionally evocative.

   - **Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466**: One of only two minor-key piano concertos by Mozart, this piece is noted for its dark, stormy mood. Beethoven, who greatly admired this concerto, wrote cadenzas for it. The D minor concerto’s intense character stands in contrast to the more light-hearted works in the Classical repertoire.

### 5. **Chamber Music and Sonatas**:

   - **Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music)**: Although technically a serenade, *Eine Kleine Nachtmusik* is one of Mozart’s most recognizable pieces and a staple of the chamber music repertoire. Its lively melodies and structured form make it a quintessential example of Mozart’s style.

   - **String Quartets, especially the "Haydn" Quartets**: Dedicated to Joseph Haydn, these quartets represent some of Mozart’s finest work in chamber music. Haydn himself praised these quartets, remarking on the sophistication of Mozart’s composition and technical skill.

   - **Piano Sonatas**: Mozart’s piano sonatas, such as the famous Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K. 331, which ends with the well-known "Rondo alla Turca," are celebrated for their balance and expressiveness. These sonatas are often performed by students but continue to challenge and delight professional pianists.

### 6. **Legacy and Influence**:

   - Mozart’s compositions are often hailed as perfect examples of the Classical style, with an emphasis on clarity, balance, and form. His work influenced generations of composers, including Beethoven, who studied Mozart’s compositions closely. Mozart’s music remains popular worldwide, performed frequently in concert halls, operas, and recordings, and studied extensively in music education.

Mozart’s life and career are shrouded in some degree of myth, especially regarding his early death. The film *Amadeus*, based on a play by Peter Shaffer, dramatizes Mozart’s life and his supposed rivalry with the composer Antonio Salieri, though historians largely agree that there is little factual basis for such enmity. Nonetheless, *Amadeus* has contributed to the popular perception of Mozart as a brilliant but troubled genius, enhancing his mystique.

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared in More Than One Toss-up on qbreader.org:

**“Jupiter” Symphony**: Mozart’s final symphony, Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551, is known for its intricate five-voice fugato in the final movement, a feat of contrapuntal mastery. 

**"Requiem in D Minor" Completion**: Mozart’s Requiem, K. 626, was famously left unfinished at his death and completed by his student Franz Xaver ___1___.

**“Queen of the Night” Aria**: In *The Magic Flute*, the Queen of the Night’s aria, “Der Hölle Rache,” is famous for requiring the soprano to reach a high ___2___.

 **The "Mannheim Rocket"**: This compositional device, a rising arpeggio, is used in the fourth movement of Mozart's Symphony No. ___3___, also known as the "Great G Minor." 

**"Lacrimosa" in the Requiem**: Only the first eight bars of this part of the Requiem were written by Mozart before his death, leaving ___4___ to complete it.

**"Eine Kleine Nachtmusik"**: The German title of this work, K. 525, translates to "A Little ___5___ Music." **Dedication of String Quartets**: Mozart dedicated six of his string quartets to ___6___, who praised their sophistication.

**Only Two Minor-Key Symphonies**: The Symphony No. 40 in G Minor and Symphony No. ___7___ in G Minor are Mozart's only minor-key symphonies.

### Fill in the Blanks:

1. Süssmayr

2. F6

3. 40

4. Süssmayr

5. Night

6. Haydn

7. 25

### Related Quizbowl Facts

The following clues and names appear frequently in quizbowl questions about Mozart, with the blanks indicating common points for recall:

1. The "Lacrimosa" is the last section Mozart completed before his death in his *Requiem* mass, which was finished by ___1___.

2. The character Tamino receives the titular instrument from the Queen of the Night in the opera ___2___.

3. The final symphony by Mozart is known as the ___3___ Symphony.

4. In *The Marriage of Figaro*, Count ___4___ tries to seduce Susanna.

5. Mozart's concertos for ___5___ were written for Anton Stadler, who played this instrument.

6. The "Jeunehomme" and "Coronation" are among his many ___6___ for piano.

7. His friend and mentor, ___7___, inspired the dedication of six string quartets.

### Fill-in-the-Blank Answers

1. Süssmayr

2. *The Magic Flute*

3. Jupiter

4. Almaviva

5. Clarinet

6. Piano Concertos

7. Haydn

Here is a list of clues that appear more than once, with their frequency counts:

1. **Franz Süssmayr completed Mozart’s Requiem after Mozart’s death** - 62 mentions  

   This highlights the fact that Mozart’s *Requiem* was left incomplete at his death in 1791. Franz Süssmayr, a student of Mozart, was commissioned to finish it, leading to one of Mozart's most famous and mysterious works.

2. **Symphony No. 41 is nicknamed "Jupiter"** - 60 mentions  

   The nickname "Jupiter" refers to Mozart’s final symphony, known for its grandeur and complexity. The "Jupiter" Symphony (No. 41) is celebrated for its majestic style and sophisticated counterpoint, particularly in the final movement.

3. **"Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" or "A Little Night Music"** - 53 mentions  

   This is one of Mozart’s most recognizable pieces, a serenade that showcases his melodic elegance. *Eine Kleine Nachtmusik* remains popular for its lively and charming character and is often performed as a standalone work.

4. **Operas "The Magic Flute" and "The Marriage of Figaro"** - 49 mentions  

   These are two of Mozart’s most famous operas. *The Magic Flute* is notable for its blend of drama and comedy and its use of Masonic symbolism, while *The Marriage of Figaro* is celebrated for its innovative use of character and expressive music that brings the opera’s characters to life.

5. **Count von Walsegg commissioned Mozart's Requiem** - 33 mentions  

   This refers to the mysterious commission for the *Requiem* by Count Franz von Walsegg, who intended to pass the piece off as his own composition in memory of his deceased wife. This unusual commission added to the mystique surrounding the work.

6. **Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A major for Anton Stadler** - 27 mentions  

   Mozart wrote his famous *Clarinet Concerto in A major* for the clarinet virtuoso Anton Stadler, a close friend. This concerto is notable for its lyrical beauty and is one of the earliest masterpieces for the clarinet.

7. **Symphony No. 40 is known as the "Great G minor" Symphony** - 26 mentions  

   One of only two symphonies Mozart wrote in a minor key, Symphony No. 40 in G minor is often called the "Great G minor" Symphony. It stands out for its emotional intensity and is one of Mozart's most dramatic symphonic works.

8. **Mannheim Rocket used in Mozart's compositions** - 22 mentions  

   The Mannheim Rocket is a musical technique involving a swiftly ascending melodic line. This dramatic flourish was developed by the Mannheim school and used by Mozart in several of his compositions for its exciting, energetic effect.

9. **C, D, F, E motif in "Jupiter" Symphony** - 20 mentions  

   In the final movement of the *Jupiter* Symphony, Mozart uses the notes C, D, F, and E as a motif. This small musical idea is transformed through complex counterpoint, showcasing Mozart's skill with fugal writing and creating a grand conclusion to his last symphony.

10. **Alberti bass in Mozart's piano sonatas** - 18 mentions  

   The Alberti bass is a left-hand accompaniment pattern that breaks chords into a repeating sequence of notes. It was commonly used in Classical-era piano music, and Mozart used it frequently in his piano sonatas to create a light, flowing texture.

11. **Janissary (Turkish) influence in "Rondo alla Turca"** - 17 mentions  

   Mozart’s *Rondo alla Turca* (from his *Piano Sonata No. 11*) is inspired by the Turkish Janissary music style, characterized by its lively rhythm and percussive effects. This style became fashionable in Europe during Mozart's time.

12. **"Lacrimosa" from the Requiem was unfinished by Mozart** - 16 mentions  

   The *Lacrimosa* movement from the *Requiem* was left incomplete at the time of Mozart’s death. Only a few measures were written by him, with the rest completed by Franz Süssmayr and others, adding to the work’s mystique.

13. **Köchel catalogue organizes Mozart’s works** - 15 mentions  

   Ludwig von Köchel created a chronological catalogue of Mozart’s works in the 19th century. Each piece is given a "K." number, which remains the standard way of identifying Mozart’s compositions.

14. **Mozart wrote only two symphonies in a minor key** - 12 mentions  

   Of Mozart's 41 symphonies, only two are in a minor key: Symphony No. 25 and Symphony No. 40, both in G minor. These works stand out for their emotional depth and intensity, contrasting with the generally brighter character of his other symphonies.