Lecture Notes: The Life and Times of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Introduction

• Focus on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a key composer of the Classical era.
• Previous video featured a piece by Mozart; this session explores his personal life.

Early Life

• Birth: 1756, Salzburg (modern-day Austria).
• Family:
  • Father: Leopold Mozart, a teacher, composer, and violinist.
  • Sibling: Maria Anna Mozart (Nannerl), four years older, also musically talented.
• Music Introduction:
  • Started piano lessons at an early age by watching his sister.
  • Composed pieces by age 5, with help from his father.

Tours and Early Success

• First European tour at age 6 with sister, lasted 3.5 years.
  • Visited London, Paris, Munich, etc.
  • Wrote his first symphony before age 10.
• Second tour with father, exposure to diverse music and composers.

Career Beginnings

• Worked for the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg.
• Composed in various genres, but felt unfulfilled due to a lack of opera opportunities.
• Traveled seeking better employment, faced setbacks including his mother’s death.

Vienna and Freelance Success

• Quit his job, moved to Vienna to freelance.
• Gained reputation as a great keyboardist and composer.
• Personal life: Lived with the Weber family, married Constanze Weber.
• Friendship with Joseph Haydn, mutual respect for each other's work.

Personal Traits

• Personality: Humorous, enjoyed simple pleasures (pool, dancing, pets).
• Humor: Loved toilet humor; wrote humorous music.

Later Career and Challenges

• Composed famous operas: "The Marriage of Figaro" and "Don Giovanni."
• Lived lavishly but faced financial instability.
• Held a part-time position as a chamber composer to stay afloat.

Final Years

• Attempted to revive finances through a mini tour, but was unsuccessful.
• Faced debt, borrowed money from friends.
• Died in 1791 at age 35; cause of death remains speculative.

Legacy

• Became more famous posthumously, influencing many future composers.
• Remembered as a leading figure in classical music history.

Conclusion

• Mozart’s story is filled with triumphs and challenges, reflecting both his genius and his humanity.
• A deep dive into his music will be featured in a future video.

Additional Notes

• Impact: Despite a short life, Mozart left a significant legacy in classical music.
• Post-Death Fame: Like many artists, gained further recognition after his death.

This lecture provides a fascinating insight into the life of a musical genius, highlighting his personal and professional journey. Further exploration of his music is suggested for a more comprehensive understanding of his contributions.