Birth

27th January  1756 Salzburg, Austria

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Death

5th December 1791 Vienna, Austria aged 35

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Musical era

Classical

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Family

His Father Leopold wrote a violin playing manual and his mother was middle class. In 1763, Leopold obtained a leave of absence from his position as deputy Kapellmeister at the Prince-Archbishop’s court at Salzburg and with Mozart just aged 7 but showing extraordinary talent, the family set out on a prolonged tour.

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Important points from his life

Mozart, at three was picking out chords on the harpsichord, at four playing short pieces, at five composing pieces and at six he was heard at the Imperial Court and in noble houses in Vienna. Mozart embarked on tours across Europe; the first of three tours of Italy, began in December 1769 and lasted 15 months.

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Best known pieces

• Requiem

• The Marriage of Figaro

• Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

• Piano Concerto No 21 Elvira Madigan

• Clarinet Concerto

• Horn Concerto No 4

• The Magic Flute

• Over 50 symphonies including No 41 Jupiter

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What has been said

‘The miracle which God let be born in Salzburg.’ Leopold of his son

‘A phenomenon like Mozart remains an inexplicable thing’ Goethe

‘Mozart is the greatest composer of all… the music of Mozart is of such purity and beauty that one feels he merely found it-that it has always existed as part of the inner beauty of the universe waiting to be revealed.’ Einstein

‘Melody is the essence of music. To win applause one must write stuff so simple that a coachman might sing it.’

 Mozart of himself

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