Amadeus Mozart was a real genius.  Not just a real genius, but he was a child genius.  This child prodigy did more before he was a teenager than most people do in a lifetime.  Before he was even five years old, Mozart could master complicated scherzos in just a half an hour.  Even at this early age, before most of today’s children start formal schooling, Mozart was composing his own works.  This early achievement pointed to what would be one of the most successful and prolific music careers.  You can read more about his childhood here: http://wamozartsite.tripod.com/Web8/Bio/biography_child.htm.

Mozart on the Road

As Mozart’s father Leopold noticed his son’s immense talent, the family began to travel.  In January of 1762, around Mozart’s sixth birthday, the family traveled to the Munich court to perform.  Mozart and his sister played for the court’s Elector, and then returned home.  In September of the same year the child genius and his family set out to play in Vienna, which was the capital of the arts in eighteenth century Europe.

After playing for the royalty in Vienna, Amadeus Mozart became a household name.  The young boy was asked by his father to play whenever an invitation came.  As a result Mozart never really experienced a normal childhood.  The child prodigy was on tour throughout his childhood.

Mozart as an Adult

By the time the child prodigy reached the age of 25, he had already composed 350 pieces.  No longer a boy wonder, yet still a real genius, Mozart was married and continued to compose, play, and perform.  He also taught piano lessons while living with his wife and young family in Vienna.  Read more about his adult life here: http://www.wien.info/article.asp?IDArticle=12240.

Mozart’s life was not long.  He became deathly ill while composing his “Requiem.”  He died of a fever in December of 1791 at only 35 years of age.  The “Requiem” was completed by one of Mozart’s students, Franz Xaver Sussmayer.  Mozart, in spite of his vast contribution to the music world, was buried in an unmarked grave according to the custom of his era.

A Lasting Legacy

In spite of his early death, Mozart’s life left a lasting legacy on the world of classical music.  Mozart’s work defines the Classical style, and he wrote music for almost every musical genre.  He wrote operas, symphonies, solo pieces, quartets, and sonatas.  He was the most famous piano concerto composer, and through his genius and work this genre of music was popularized.  Without the work of Amadeus Mozart, the world of classical music would not be what it is today.