Mozart
MOZART
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria in January 27, 1756. Growing up he was a good child, always happy, fun - loving, and also very talented. His father Leopold Mozart was a violinist and composer, and therefore educated his children with respect to music. Mozart showed his amazing gift when he began composing at the age of five. When he was six, he performed before the Austrian Empress. Mozart and his sister, Maria Anna, (Nannerl) a gifted keyboard player, then set out with their father in 1763 on a tour that took them to many European courts.
In 1771, Mozart composed La Betulia Liberata, at the age of fifteen. A beautiful symphony, it depicts the Book of Judith. In the story, the Israelites were under siege by the Assyrians. Fearing for their safety, the Israelites pray to God. Judith, an Israelite woman, goes out into the Assyrian camp and assassinates their leader, Holofernes. Thus the city of Bethulia is liberated. This was a different sound at this time. The repeated notes in the overture were great in providing a new emphasis. The bass instruments take up the melodic phrases and add to its intensity. The E flat Andante is very soft, though it is often in smaller intervals. All in all it is a very strong and moving piece, conveying the anguish and then triumph of the Israelites.
Mozart continued composing, and later worked as the Concertmaster for the Prince - Archbishop. He composed masses, symphonies, all his violin concertos, six piano sonatas, several serenades and divertimentos and his first great piano concerto, K271. In 1777, Mozart visited Munich with his mother, in order to find an opportunity for such talent. He was offered no such job, but he did fall in love with Aloysia Weber. Since he was unsuccessful his father told him to go to Paris. Here he had some brief success, but returned without his mother. Upon his return in Salzburg he composed more symphonies and concertos. However,...
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