Musician Spotlight: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is certainly one of the most prolific and influential composers to exist during the classical period. His work has continued to thrive, even in these modern times.

Over the years, Mozart delighted in performing his pieces to the public and would likely be very proud to see his work live on.

Who was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozard?

Mozart was born in Salzburg, in 1756 on the 27th January. He was already quite experienced on the keyboard and violin from an early age in his childhood and started composing from the age of five years old. At the age of seventeen, he became a musician at the Salzburg court but eventually grew tired, eager to find a new challenge. He visited Vienna in 1781, and it’s here that he gave us his position in the Salzburg court and stayed in Vienna.

Whilst here, this would be the place where Mozart wrote most of his famous symphonies that we have come to love and know today.

What genre did Mozart cover?

Mozart is one that stands proudly in the classical style. His interest in the late Baroque, which flourished back in the 17th century became his muse. However, Mozart was certainly a composer who was versatile and wrote in every major genre possible. These included symphony, opera, chamber music, and solo concerto. He’s responsible for the development of the Classical piano concerto that many recognize today.

He wrote plenty of religious music as well as other light forms of entertainment.

Major accomplishments

Mozart composed a staggering six hundred or so works and is considered to be one of the greatest classical composers of all time. Quite the legacy to leave behind, right? And to write so many too is quite an achievement. His influence on Western music was incredible and many other composers created their work because of Mozart, like Beethoven as an example.

His most major and memorable compositions were Exsultate, Jubilate, K 165, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525, and Piano Sonata No. 11 to name but a few. They are compositions that are instantly recognizable, regardless of whether you know that they’re by Mozart or not. For example, listen to one of his famous pieces “Requiem”:

As soon as you hear those first few notes, you’re sure to have that light bulb moment. They’re unforgettable pieces!

What instruments did Mozart use?

As mentioned above, the classic style is what Mozart was known for. He was also widely talented when it came to instruments and learned to play quite a few. These were the organ, using the pedalboard by standing on top of it at the mere age of seven. He’s known to have enjoyed playing the viola above everything else. The list of instruments is fairly extensive; Harpsichord, Violin, kalimba, and the Fortepiano.

Suffice to say that Mozart was quite the talent and for a composer who created over six hundred works, he sadly died at the young age of 35. Who knows just how many other compositions he could have made that would be famous today if he’d have lived longer.