Classical Genius - The Life of Mozart

In the musical societies of today, Wolfgangpopularity. It seemed his situation improved in
Mozart is looked upon with awe due to the quality1778 when he was hired as an organist for a
of his work. However, they do not always look atcourt and later by a cathedral. It was not what he
his life and what it took to achieve his status. Hiswas looking for though. He wanted to continue
life was not a perfect fairytale. He had to workcomposing, and he did. While he was unemployed
hard in order to survive as life went on.and even during his time as an organist, he
Wolfgang Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria incontinued to create music.
1756. At a very young age his musical potentialIn 1781, he was commissioned for an opera called
became evident. To be exact, it all happenedIdomeneo. The operas he produced were
approximately three days before his fifth birthday.accepted well at first. He had some success with
Documents have been discovered that contain hishis Italian and German operas, but the success
father's handwriting stating that Wolfgangwas not significant enough. He continued to
mastered a scherzo in thirty minutes. This was aencounter financial hardship. By 1787 he was once
phenomenal rate for any musician, but particularlyagain employed by a court, but as a composer
impressive for a young child.this time. He wrote music for royal dances. This
The piano and violin were two instruments heposition supplied him with a steady income, but his
excelled in, but he soon turned his attention tospending habits left him with less than he needed.
another pursuit; composing. Once his father sawDuring his life, Wolfgang Mozart created over six
the talent of his son, he decided to take him onhundred pieces of music. His work crossed several
tours with his sister, Maria Anna, who wastypes of compositions. These included:o Ariaso
another incredibly gifted musician. These toursSymphonieso Keyboard Concertoso Sonatas for
began in 1763 when they took a short trip to athe Pianoo Church Musico Pieces for Chambers
Munich court. After this trip, they took severaland Quartetso And a few works for the Organ
longer tours that brought them before countlessAt the end of his life, he brought his friends to his
members of royalty.bedside and sang parts of a church piece he was
His life was not always as lavish as this. Thereworking on. He left it unfinished when he died in
were times when he endured financially difficultthe early morning of December fifth of 1791. He
times. One such time was between 1774 andleft the world they way he had entered it; playing
1778 when his family could not find a patron. Hemusic. Wolfgang Mozart was a true lover of music
was growing up and as he gained years, he lostto the very end.