MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus

January 27th 1756 – December 5th 1791

Mozart first started composing when he was five years old, and began playing in front of high class people when he was six. In 1763, his father decided to take Mozart and his sister on a tour around Europe, to show off their incredible gifts. They returned to Mozart’s birthplace (Salzburg) in 1766. In the same year, however, Mozart’s father took them off to Vienna, hoping that one of Mozart’s operas would be performed there. From then until mid 1777, Mozart travelled between Italy, Salzburg and Vienna. In this time, he wrote several symphonies, all his violin concertos, six piano sonatas, several serenades and divertimentos and his first great piano concerto, K271.

Mozart spent the next few years travelling around important cities, looking for a good job. He finally found a job in Salzburg – playing in the court. However, in May 1781, he resigned from his job, since he didn’t get on well with his employer. Over the next few years, he made his living by playing in public, teaching and composing. In 1782, he married a woman named Constanze Weber. By 1787, he had obtained a minor position at court in Vienna to support himself. Over these years, Mozart dedicated many of his compositions to Hayden. Hayden told Mozart’s father that Mozart was: 'the greatest composer known to me in person or by name; he has taste and, what is more, the greatest knowledge of composition'.

Mozart lived in Vienna with his wife for the rest of his life, although he did make trips to other places for various reasons. He died in Vienna and was buried in a suburb in an unmarked grave.

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