He enjoyed pranks and a rough sense of humour, and his care-free attitude could get him into difficulties with the more serious-minded court officials. Another aspect of Mozart’s character was a playfulness and high-spirits, which could also appear like childishness. A trait of Mozart’s character was that he could be frivolous with money he enjoyed spending on fancy clothes – as soon as he received money he could spend it and he was frequently in debt. However, despite his relative fame, he struggled to manage his finances and moved between periods of poverty and prosperity. I simply follow my own feelings.”ĭrawing of Mozart by Dora Stock, Dresden, April 1789 “I pay no attention whatever to anybody’s praise or blame. However, in the realm of music, Mozart was in his own world, he was not constrained by the petty misunderstandings and expectations of society. On a personal level, his strained relationship with his domineering father left Mozart often seeking outer recognition. “O Mozart! immortal Mozart! What countless impressions of a brighter, better life hast thou stamped upon our souls!” Some criticised his symphonies for being too complicated, however, he received the very sincere praise of all the great composers of the era. His dazzling and innovative new compositions were generally admired, although, like many genii, he was ahead of his time. In Vienna, he became well known and was often in demand as a composer and performer. Some biographers see this as an important moment in Mozart’s life as – in a very clear way – Mozart asserted his musical independence even at the cost of his relationship with his father and his financial security. Eventually, he was released from his contact with a ‘literal kick up the backside.’ It was a difficult decision because his father sided with the archbishop and felt his son should seek to reconcile with the archbishop. Mozart became angry at these restrictions and confronted the archbishop. For example, the Archbishop sought to prevent Mozart from playing in public concerts. Initially, Mozart worked for Archbishop Colloredo, but again Mozart felt constrained by the unreasonable demands and limitations placed on him by the Archbishop. He left Salzburg and after travelling to Paris and Germany, he moved permanently to Vienna, Austria where he lived for the remainder of his life. In 1777, he grew tired of the demands placed on him by his patron and negotiated the release from his contract. Yet, despite dissatisfaction and getting involved in rows, the next few years were a time of prolific composition.

Mozart was also indignant at his meagre salary (150 florins a year) which left Mozart feeling unappreciated. He chaffed at the lack of independence from his patron Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo (the ruler of Salzburg). One of the pre-eminent composers of the day Johann Hasse remarked: “He has done things which for such as age are really incomprehensible they would be astonishing in an adult.”Īged 17, he accepted a post as a court musician in Salzburg although this did not suit him very well. Mozart remained a committed Catholic throughout his life.ĭressed in the finest clothes, the child-genius Mozart left an indelible impression on everyone he met. This included attendance at mass, frequent confession and the veneration of saints. In addition to being feted by aristocrats across, Europe, Leopold raised his children as strict Catholics. During his childhood, Mozart was a frequent guest at various palaces around Europe, playing for distinguished guests. His father Leopold, who was also a musician, was quick to see the talent of his young son and became a formidable publicist in showing off his son’s capacities. Mozart was generally considered to be a rare musical genius, although he was also diligent in studying other great composers such as Haydn and Bach. By the age of six, he was writing his first compositions, and by the age of eight had composed his first symphony.

By the age of five, he could read and write music, and he would entertain people with his talents on the keyboard. From an early age, the young Mozart showed all the signs of a prodigious musical talent. Mozart was born in Salzburg to a musical family. Anyone who does not understand this is not worthy of God.” A child prodigy, from an early age he began composing over 600 works, including some of the most famous pieces of symphonic, chamber, operatic, and choral music. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791) was one of the most influential, popular and prolific composers of the classical period.

A child prodigy who died young in music