Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, baptized as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period. Born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg, Habsburg Monarchy (now Austria), he was the youngest of seven children, five of whom died in infancy. His father, Leopold Mozart, was a composer, violinist, and assistant concertmaster at the court of the Archbishop of Salzburg, and played a significant role in shaping Wolfgang's musical career.
From an early age, Mozart showed prodigious abilities in music, composing his first piece of music at the age of five. His father, recognizing his talent, embarked on a series of European tours to showcase his son's abilities. These journeys took Mozart to major musical centers like Vienna, Paris, London, and Rome, where he met many of the leading musicians and composers of the day.
Mozart's early works include symphonies, sonatas, operas, and concertos, displaying a remarkable command of musical form and expression. By the age of 17, he had been appointed as a court musician in Salzburg, but he longed for a more prestigious position and broader recognition. His relationship with the Archbishop of Salzburg deteriorated, leading to his departure from Salzburg in 1781 to settle in Vienna, where he would spend the rest of his life.
In Vienna, Mozart achieved fame but also faced financial difficulties. He composed numerous works during this period, including some of his most famous operas like The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and The Magic Flute. His symphonies, particularly the last three, known as the Jupiter Symphony (No. 41), are considered among the greatest works in the symphonic repertoire. Mozart's piano concertos are also notable for their virtuosity and emotional depth.
Despite his success, Mozart struggled with financial instability due to the economic realities of freelance music in Vienna. His health began to decline in the late 1780s, exacerbated by a series of personal tragedies, including the death of his four children and his father in 1787. Mozart died on December 5, 1791, at the age of 35. The cause of his death remains uncertain, with theories ranging from rheumatic fever to trichinosis or even poisoning, though no definitive evidence supports the latter.
Mozart's legacy is immense. He profoundly influenced subsequent generations of composers, including Ludwig van Beethoven, who was a pupil of Mozart's contemporary Joseph Haydn. His music, which bridges the Baroque period and the Romantic period, is characterized by its emotional depth, technical mastery, and an innovative approach to form and orchestration.