Obituary for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Biography and episodes of life Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. When born and died Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, memorable places and dates of important events in his life. composer quotes, images and videos.

Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:

born January 27, 1756, died December 5, 1791

Epitaph

"Mozart lives here,
He believed in something
What has no name
And there are no words to explain it.
He was able to express this through music.
When he died,
Only his bodily form was taken away.
They said they didn't recognize him.
And the body was buried in a common grave.
But we choose to believe
That he was never buried
Because he never died.
Take heed."
Stymin Karpen, epitaph to Mozart, translated by D. Samoilov

Biography

One day Mozart's father came home accompanied by his friend, the court trumpeter AI Shakhtner. Entering the house, the men saw how little Wolfgang, sitting at the table, diligently displays inscriptions on a sheet of music. When asked by his father about what he was doing, young Mozart replied that he was writing a musical composition for the harpsichord. Such a serious answer amused both the father and Mr. Shachtner, but their laughter continued only until the moment when they looked at the sheet of music covered in uneven children's handwriting. Father read the notes, and tears flowed from his eyes: “How everything here is correct and meaningful!” he exclaimed. But the genius at that time was only four years old.

The first years of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's life were spent in Salzburg, the then capital of a small Austrian principality. Mozart's musical talent manifested itself very early: already at the age of three, he could build chords, improvise and play melodies by ear. Under the guidance of Father Leopold Mozart - an outstanding musician of that time - Wolfgang Amadeus learned to play the harpsichord, violin and organ. By the way, his older sister Maria Anna was no less gifted.

Concert activity in the biography of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart began at the age of six. True, then the young master toured in the company of his father and sister, nevertheless leaving behind him cheering crowds of spectators and a train of glory growing every day. Thus, while still a child, Mozart visited almost all the cultural centers of Europe, which, in fact, provided him with the foundation for a further solo career. During his life, Wolfgang Amadeus wrote more than 600 pieces of music.

Mozart's personal life was not only stormy, but not without scandals. The composer had only one chosen one - Constance Weber - a girl from a famous Munich family, in whose house he rented a room. The love of young people was strong and mutual, but Mozart's father prevented the wedding for a long time, caring more about his son's career and material well-being. However, the wedding nevertheless took place, and Constance became a faithful companion of Mozart, remaining his muse and benefactor until the very last days.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died at the age of 36. It seemed that the composer felt the proximity of his own death. In the last days of his life, he tirelessly worked on the "Requiem" and tearfully admitted to his wife that he was writing a memorial work for himself. Constance tried to entertain her lover with more cheerful topics, but, alas, you can’t get away from fate: in the end, the genius fell ill from a serious illness. For two weeks he did not get out of bed, but he was still conscious. And on December 5, 1791, the great composer died. Modern researchers claim that the cause of Mozart's death was a staphylococcal infection.

The news of Mozart's death instantly spread throughout the world, shocking the public. However, the funeral of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - the greatest musical genius of mankind - was held in the so-called third category: in a simple coffin to a common grave. And in this, by the way, there was nothing unusual, because only the richest people of that time could afford monuments and personal graves, to whom Mozart, alas, did not belong. But time compares the scores: Mozart's grave is currently the most visited place in St. Mark's cemetery in Vienna.

life line

January 27, 1756 Date of birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
1761 The appearance of the first musical compositions of the young genius: Andante in C major and Allegro in C major.
1762 The beginning of the concert activity of Wolfgang and his sister.
1770 Young Mozart moves to Italy, where he meets outstanding masters working in the musical field.
1779 Wolfgang Amadeus returns to Salzburg and receives a position as court organist.
1781 The composer moves to Vienna, where he reaches the peak of fame.
August 4, 1782 Wedding date of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Constance Weber.
1787 Mozart receives the position of imperial and royal chamber musician.
November 20, 1791 Beginning of Mozart's illness.
December 5, 1791 Date of Mozart's death.
December 6, 1791 Mozart's funeral at St. Mark's Cemetery in Vienna.

Memorable places

1. Mozart's home in Salzburg (now the Mozart House Museum) at Getreidegasse 9, 5020 Salzburg.
2. Cathedral of St. Rupert in Salzburg, where Mozart was baptized.
3. The city of Munich, where the first concert of the young composer took place.
4. St. Stephen's Cathedral, where the betrothal of Wolfgang Amadeus and Constance took place.
5. The Prater Park in Vienna is the composer's favorite place for walking.
6. Cemetery of St. Mark, where Mozart is buried. Mozart's grave is marked with a commemorative cenotaph.

Episodes of life

In the process of learning to play the violin, young Mozart used the instrument of a family friend, Mr. Schachtner. Later, playing his own violin, the boy noticed that the previous violin was tuned one-eighth of a tone higher than the previous one. Schachtner did not take the remarks seriously, but Leopold Mozart, knowing about his son's exceptional hearing, asked his friend to bring his violin for comparison. It turned out that Shachtner's violin was indeed tuned with an error of one eighth of a tone.

When Mozart's relationship with his future bride was only gaining momentum, the guardian of Constance Weber, Johann Thorowart, rudely interfered in them. He forced the young man to sign a written agreement that if Mozart did not marry Constance within three years, he would be forced to pay financial compensation in her favor for life. In order to prove the seriousness of his intentions, Wolfgang agreed. However, later Constance broke this obligation, arguing that she completely trusts the words of Mozart and does not need any written confirmation. With this event, Mozart's love for Constance grew stronger many times over.

Documentary about Mozart

Covenant

“Music, even in the most terrible dramatic situations, must always captivate the ear, always remain music.”

condolences

“It is my deep conviction that Mozart is the highest, culminating point, to which beauty has reached in the field of music.”
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composer

"Mozart is the youth of music, an eternally young spring, bringing to mankind the joy of spring renewal and spiritual harmony."
Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich, composer