Music of the Enlightenment

Mozart

Mozart was born on the 27th of January to Leopold and Anna Maria pertl.
He was originally called Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Theophilus Mozart (try saying that with your mouth full.) Anyway he was an amazing kid and learned to play 3 different instuments (violin clavier and organ) at age 3 (wow!)

Mozarts dad was amazed by his sons talent and saw him as a source of money. Mozart, his father and his sister travelled the continent and Mozart and his sister would play different duets. This may sound good but Mozart had a terrible time because their dad only cared about money. For example when Mozart fell ill his dad was more concerned abut his income rather than the well being of his son.

In these years of travel Mozart got to know lots of different musicians and was influenced by them including one time when he copied out and entire symphony from memory after hearing it in the Sistine chapel. Thus he made the first ever illegal copy of the works of the Vatican. After he left this scheme Mozart was employed by the prince-archbishop Collredo. Unfortunately he had a falling out with him and was dismissed with a kick in the seat of the pants. Mozart was also married against his fathers wishes to Constanze Weber (they had 6 children but only 2 survived childhood.) after travelling for years meeting lots of composers and performing a lot Mozart began to decline. We are still unsure about the disease that killed him (trichinosis, mercury poisoning and rheumatic fever have all been suggested.) he died at about 1 am on December the 5th 1791 while he was working on one of his last symphonies but his wife paid his apprentice to finish it.

A popular legend said Mozart died pennyless and was buried in a paupers grave but this isnt true he still had quite alot of money when he died.