Wolfang Amadeus Mozart - The short but exciting life of a genius ...

On January 27, 1756 the second child of court musician Leopold Mozart and his wife, Anna Pertl, is born in Salzburg’s Getreidegasse. Already as a tot, Wolfgang Amadeus shows himself to be extremely musical, and he begins composing his own pieces at the age of five. One year later the “miracle child” piano virtuoso inspires audiences at the Viennese court. Father Leopold recognizes his son’s talent and takes him and sister “Nannerl” on a -- for the children rather exerting -- concert tour of the European royal courts, introducing them to princes and kings. Under the eyes of their strict father the children celebrate great successes.

Archbishop Sigismund von Schrattenbach appoints Mozart, barely 13 years old, to concert master in Salzburg. Father and son undertake further journeys; among them is one to Italy that is particularly influential. Here young Mozart comes into contact -- for the first time -- with the Italian opera, an event which would have a lasting affect on his life’s work. Moreover, at Bologna he receives musical instruction from Giovanni Battista Martini. It is during this period of high creativity that Mozart composes 13 symphonies, 11 masses and all of his violin concerts.

Meanwhile Salzburg’s Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo appeals to the Mozarts for a more settled lifestyle. When both nonetheless request a vacation in 1777, the archbishop dismisses Wolfgang Amadeus and Leopold Mozart from his services. While the father hopes for reemployment, young Mozart cannot accept the undignified treatment and turns away from Salzburg.

Restless wander years in the company of his mother follow. Mozart looks for employment but he calls in vain on the duke’s court in Munich or the prince elector’s court in Mannheim. It is during these journeys that Mozart becomes acquainted with the family of his future wife, Constanze. Originally, however, his heart was inflamed for her older sister, Aloysia. In 1778, Mozart's mother dies in Paris. One year later Mozart returns to Salzburg and retakes, on request of Archbishop Colloredo, his old position as concert master. In 1781 the relationship comes to a final break over a disagreement with the archbishop in Vienna.

Thereafter Mozart goes to Vienna as a freelance composer. He gives music lessons, organizes concerts and composes - in spite of permanent money problems - some of his most mature and deepest works. Among them are operas like “Figaro’s Wedding,” “Don Giovanni,” or the 1782 opera commissioned by Emperor Joseph II: “The Abduction from the Seraglio.”

Against his father’s will, Mozart marries Constanze Weber in the same year. The economic situation intensifies itself. For Mozart it will become ever more difficult to supply the needs of his wife and constantly growing number of children, given his meager income. His wife Constanze became pregnant six times; however, only the two sons Karl Thomas and Franz Xaver survived the childhood years.

After the death of his father Leopold in 1787, Mozart's state of health rapidly declines. Exposed to enormous physical and psychological pressure since earliest childhood, Mozart is no longer able to deal with the stresses. He undertakes his last journey abroad in 1791, on the occasion of Emperor Leopold II’s coronation in Frankfurt. Once back in Vienna, he absorbs himself in his work on the “Magic Flute” and composes the “Requiem,” which is to remain unfinished.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart dies completely impoverished on December 5, 1791 in Vienna. The interment takes place in a pauper’s grave at the Viennese Sankt Marx cemetery. Many speculations surround his death. Some speak of poisoning by a jealous rival. Much more probable is the suggestion that Mozart succumbed to renal disease, caused most likely by the unrestrained ingestion of various medicines.