Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Date of Birth: January 27, 1756

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: December 5, 1791

Biography

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg, which was part of the Holy Roman Empire (now Austria). He was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. Mozart showed extraordinary musical talent from a very young age, composing his first piece of music at just five years old and performing before European royalty. Mozart’s father, Leopold Mozart, was a talented violinist and composer who recognized his son’s genius early on and took him on extensive tours across Europe to showcase his talents. These tours exposed young Mozart to a variety of musical styles and traditions, which influenced his own development as a composer. Throughout his life, Mozart composed over 600 works, including symphonies, operas, chamber music, piano concertos, and choral music. Some of his most famous works include “The Magic Flute,” “Don Giovanni,” “The Marriage of Figaro,” and “Eine kleine Nachtmusik.” His music is renowned for its melodic beauty, formal elegance, and emotional depth. Mozart’s life, however, was not without struggles; he faced financial difficulties and health issues in his later years. Despite his enormous contributions to music, he died in relative obscurity on December 5, 1791, at the age of 35. His legacy endures as one of the greatest composers in Western music history.

5 Interesting Facts about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

1. Mozart began composing music at the age of five and wrote his first symphony when he was eight years old.

2. Despite his early death, Mozart composed over 600 pieces of music, many of which are considered masterpieces of the classical genre.

3. He was a child prodigy who toured Europe with his family, performing before numerous royal courts and dignitaries.

4. Mozart was a master of multiple musical forms, including opera, symphony, concerto, and chamber music.

5. He had an incredible memory and could write down entire pieces of music after hearing them just once.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

1. “The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.”

2. “Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.”

3. “I pay no attention whatever to anybody’s praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings.”

4. “To talk well and eloquently is a very great art, but an equally great one is to know the right moment to stop.”

5. “Music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Mozart’s net worth was modest compared to today’s standards, as he often faced financial difficulties. Historians estimate that his highest net worth would be around 10,000 florins, roughly equivalent to $50,000 USD today.

Children

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had six children with his wife Constanze Weber, but only two survived infancy: 1. Karl Thomas Mozart (1784–1858) – He became an official in the Austrian government and did not pursue a musical career. 2. Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart (1791–1844) – He followed in his father’s footsteps and became a composer and pianist.