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A GENIUS
(27 January 1756–5 December 1791) Mozart was one of
the most influential, popular and prolific composers of the
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AMADEUS
MOZART
classical period. He composed over 600 works, including
some of the most famous and loved pieces of symphonic,
chamber, operatic, and choral music.
Mozart was born in Salzburg to a musical family. From an
early age, the young Mozart showed all the signs of a
prodigious musical talent. By the age of five, he could read
and write music, and he would entertain people with his
talents on the keyboard. By the age of six, he was writing
his first compositions. 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.
During his childhood, he would frequently tour various palaces around Europe playing for
distinguished guests. Aged 17, he accepted a post as a court musician in Salzburg; although this did
not suit him very well, the next few years were a time of prolific composition. In 1781, he moved
permanently to Vienna where he stayed for the remainder of his life. In Vienna, he became well
known and was often in demand as a composer and performer.
However, despite his relative fame, he struggled to manage his finances and moved between
periods of poverty and prosperity. This difficulty was enhanced when, in 1786, Austria was involved
in a war which led to lower demand for musicians. In 1782, he married against the wishes
of İ C his |
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family; he had six children but only two survived infancy.
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