he is considered to be one of the greatest geniuses in his field
TRANSCRIPT
He is considered to be one of the greatest geniuses in his field.
He was born in Salzburg, Austria on 27th January 1756.
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By the age of six, he had mastered the piano and violin.
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At the age of six, he was touring Europe as a professional musician
with his father and sister.
London
Munich
The HagueParis
Vienna
History remembers him most as a composer. By age 12, he
had completed around a hundred compositions.
His death on 5th December 1791 was surrounded in mystery. Some people think he was poisoned by
other composers, who were jealous of his talent, but many believe he
died from a disease.
Among his most famous works are his operas: The Magic Flute,
The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi Fan Tutte and Don Giovanni.
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As a youth, he often signed his letters
‘Trazom’
Trazo
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Dearest sister,
I have been to so
many interesting
places. The sights
I have seen! All
the people I meet
are pleasant
enough but often
they treat me like
I was a servant.
I will write again
soon.
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He is considered by many to be the greatest composer who has
ever lived. His music has provided inspiration to other famous
composers (such as Beethoven) and is still very popular today.
Click on the speaker (left) to listen to a popular piece of his music.
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His first name was Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus
Theophilus – later changed to Wolfgang Amadeus – but he is better known by his surname.
Have you guessed who it is yet?
The answer is…
Mozart!©
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Biography: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Mozart’s father, a court musician, recognised his son’s genius for playing music at a very early age. He took the tiny boy and his sister, Nannerl (also an accomplished musician), to tour the European royal courts. Even as a child, Mozart became respected as a composer.
As an adult Mozart refused to work as a musician (which was considered little more than a servant) and concentrated on composing. He and his wife, Constanze, were often in debt as neither were sensible with money. Mozart was often ill and unhappy, but he poured all his love, energy and passion into his music.
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Biography: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart… continued
Mozart has given us some of the world’s most beautiful compositions. In his 35 years, he wrote over 600 pieces of music including operas, symphonies, sonatas, serenades, chamber music, concertos, masses and dances. The brilliance of his music is still appreciated today, over two centuries after his death.
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Editor – Michelle GuyDesigner – Linda Jenkinson-BennettWords © Christina Baker
Acknowledgements