Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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Mozart is one of the most spectacular classical composers ever to be known to this day. He was born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg which is now known as Austria. Mozart's father Leopold Mozart was a well known music teacher who published a book concerning music the exact year Wolfgang was born. Records show that Wolfgang's only teacher while growing up was his father, and that he had learned many famous pieces from the current time at age four. At age five Mozart composed two of his own pieces. In 1772 at age sixteen Mozart, with his mother going along the way for moral support, made a tour across Europe playing for many different people. He met Bach during his tour and Bach is still supposedly known for being Mozart's greatest influence and many of his songs were composed from inspiration from Bach. In 1781, Mozart composed and performed his first opera in Vienna where he stayed for many years composing works and performing many more operas in various opera houses.

Mozart has been well known for his financial struggle but yet being so successful as a composer. And although it is true he did borrow money from close friends at his hardest times, his financial struggle is exaggerated and not as bad as told to be.

During his last years there are many different beliefs on Mozart's decline in health and to the actual way of which he died. Many scholars believe that Mozart recognized his own decline in health and began writing his last works before his time was over. There are many theories on how he died varying from Malaria fever, mercury poisoning, or a rare kidney ailment. Mozart died at approximately 1 AM in Vienna on December Fifth, 1791 at age forty five.

Because Mozart was buried in an unmarked grave it is popular belief that he was penniless as well as forgotten. Mozart was actually getting paid the equivalent of 150,000 dollars in 2006 money each year but was horrendous at managing his money so he was broke. His original grave at St. Marx has been lost but a memorial grave has been placed.

In his lifetime, Mozart composed over 600 works including: 21 stage and opera works, 15 Masses, over 50 symphonies, 25 piano concertos, 12 violin concertos, 27 concert arias, 17 piano sonatas, 26 string quartets, and many other pieces.

His style was very unique, unlike many of the musical styles of his time. People did not appreciate his radical music because they did not understand Mozart's complex and extraordinary music.