Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart
(1756-1791)
Mozart – part of the Classical period
• Graceful, detailed elaboration
• Light, flowing melodies
• Short, simple phrases
• Use of dance rhythms
• Variety and contrast were used
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
• Born in Salzburg, Austria
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
• Sound of trumpet would send
him from room screaming.
• Didn’t like flute either
• Was Compulsive. When he
was learning math, he would
fill the whole room (walls, floors,
furniture) with numbers using chalk
• On a visit to France, proposed to Marie
Antoinette at the age of 7!
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
• Considered a child prodigy
• Began playing harpsichord at
age 4
• Began writing music at age 5
• At the age of 5, began
touring Europe with his family
playing harpsichord
• Wrote his first opera at the
age of 11
Mozart’s music
• Opera was his favorite
• Most famous operas – The Marriage of
Figaro, Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute,
Cosi fan tutte (Thus Do They All)
• Eine kleine Nachtmusik
• Can be translated as “a little night music” or
“a small serenade”
• Written for chamber ensemble of 2 violins,
viola & cello with optional double bass
Mozart’s music
• Variations on “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
• Also wrote symphonies, concertos, choral
music, chamber music, piano music,
vocal music