Mel Bay's Creative Keyboard® Webzine | Gail Smith - Celebrate Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 250th Birthday in 2006

Celebrate Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 250th Birthday in 2006

Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg. His mother was Anna Maria and his father was Leopold. Wolfgang was their seventh child. Leopold taught him to play the piano and Mozart composed his first piece when he was just five years old. Mozart's older sister, Nannerl, who was born on July 30, 1751, also showed amazing musical talent. Leopold decided to set up concert tours for his child prodigies Wolfgang and Nannerl began giving concerts all over Europe. When Mozart was seven years old, four of his violin sonatas were published in Paris. He composed and gave concerts for over twenty years then in 1779 became a court organist and settled down.

Mozart married Constanze Weber on August 4, 1782. She condoned his extravagances; welcomed his friends and even cut his meat so he wouldn't injure his precious hands. Their first son was born in 1783 and died. The second son, Carl was born in 1784 and lived till 1858. Mozart's third son and two daughters died in infancy. In 1790, Mozart's fourth son named Wolfgang, was born and lived till 1844.

Mozart composed 600 pieces of music in his 36 years. His famous operas were: The Marriage of Figaro; The Magic Flute and Don Juan. Mozart also composed 25 piano concertos, 49 symphonies and numerous church works. The notes to his songs were always complete in his mind before he wrote a single note down.

Mozart received a commission to compose a requiem from an anonymous patron. Mozart became depressed and was convinced that he was composing music for his own funeral. When Mozart finished the composition, he became so depressed and melancholy that he died, that very night on December 5, 1791.

Constanze married Georg Nikolaus Nissen in 1809. He died in 1826 and Constanze died on March 6, 1842. This same year a Mozart Monument was unveiled. In 1856 there was a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Mozart's birth in Salzburg. Several Mozart coins have been minted as well as postage stamps in honor of this super-musician.

Teachers, please have every student learn at least one Mozart piano solo this year. He composed something for everyone, at every level. Mozart taught many piano students.

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