Who was one of the greatest influential musicians of the classical period, and even to present day? His name was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart was one of the greatest influential composers of his time. His musical work has been used in other compositions throughout centuries, in anywhere from Classical music to Heavy Metal. His musical ability can best be credited to his father, Leopold, who, throughout Mozart’s early life, pushed him further in his musical capacity. He grew up around composers, and while touring with his father, his own, unique musical sound emerged with the influence of the other composers around him. He lived a fairly luxurious life, until his undeterminable death, leaving his musical footprints behind for others …show more content…
He had a sister, Maria Anna, and they were both introduced to music at an early age. Maria, started playing keyboard at the age of seven, while Mozart looked on, age three, mimicking her playing. He showed a strong understanding of chords, tonality, and tempo, and would soon begin playing. At the age of four he could learn a piece of music in half an hour. When he was five, Wolfgang showed signs of excelling beyond his father’s teachings with an early composition. Then, at age six he began writing his first symphony. Between the ages of seven to fifteen, young Mozart spent half his time on tour. During these tours, Mozart heard, absorbed, and learned various European musical idioms; eventually making his own mature musical style. Leopold took them to the court of Bavaria, in Munich, in what was to become the first of several European “tours”. In this time, Mozart met a numerous amount of accomplished musicians and became familiar with their works. Particularly important, was his meeting with Johann Christian Bach, in London, who had one of the strongest influences on …show more content…
Once, while visiting the Vatican, Mozart heard Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere performed in the Sistine Chapel. He then wrote out the entire score from memory, previously, the music was not reproduced outside the Vatican. In 1769, Mozart was appointed Konzertmeister (concert master) at Salzburg Court, by the Archbishop. In this same year he made three Italy tours. Then returned to Austria, where he spent most his time composing and working as assistant concertmaster. Mozart, now twenty-one, was not content with his current position as an assistant concertmaster, and felt confined in the small environment of Salzburg. So, in 1777 he set out to find a more prosperous employment with his mother, Anna Maria. While on the search for better employment, Mozart began running out of funds, to pay for housing food, etc. He had to then start pawning close, personal, items for money. During this trip his mother fell ill and passed away, so Mozart returned home soon after. He then found work in Vienna, taking on pupils, writing music for publication, and playing in several concerts. In this time Mozart became enthralled with the work of Bach and George Frederic Haudel and this in turn lead to several compositions in the Baroque style, and influenced much of his later compositions. Such as passages in Die Zauberflote, The Magic Flute, and