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Amadeus

 

            
            
            
             Musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born to Leopold Mozart and his wife Anna Maria Pertl in Salzburg, Austria on January 27, 1756. His father Leopold was a very successful and respected composer, violinist and author. He served as assistant concertmaster at the Salzburg court. To him it was very important that his children be raised in music. He began teaching both Wolfgang and his daughter Maria Anna "Nannerl" at very young ages. He began with his oldest Maria, teaching her to play the piano. Wolfgang being the genius that he was was able to pick up from the teachings of his sister at the age of two. .
             By the age of six, Wolfgang had become an accomplished performer on the clavier, violin and organ. The child was highly skilled in sight-reading and improvisation. He could literally hear music and return home and write exactly what was played earlier. By this time, he began composing minuets and had already written five sets of piano pieces (including the famed twelve variations on the tune "Twinkle Twinkle"). Nannerl was also a very gifted keyboard player. The two were given the name "wunderkind" as they were so great. .
             The Traveler.
             Embracing the skills both of his children had Leopold decided to take his God-given geniuses on tour. The tour began in Munich and Vienna where a series of concerts were played. In 1763, when Wolfgang was seven his father took a leave from his position at Salzburg court to take his family on an extended tour of Western Europe. The archbishop of the Salzburg court, Sigismund Von Schrattenbach was very supportive of the Mozart children's remarkable activities and allowed for the leave of absence with no problem. During this time Wolfgang continued to compose, completing his first symphony at age nine and publishing his first sonatas in the same year. In 1769 before returning home Wolfgang completed his first opera La finta semplice. He was then appointed honorary Konzertmeister at the Salzburg court.


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