Mozart and Musical Change:

The Classical Period1750-1827

It’s lucky for us Bach died in 1750 because that neatly divides the 18th century in half. Bach’s

death in 1750 ends the Baroque period and begins a

new musical period called the Classical period.

The most famous composer of the Classical period was Mozart. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

1756-1791

-

As with many great composers, Mozart’s first teacher was his father, Leopold Mozart. Leopold Mozart, 1765.

Mozart could write music before he could write words! When he was five he wrote a minuet for keyboard.

A minuet is a slow dance for couples and groups of people. It was popular

during his day.

Listen to Mozart’s Minuet

Mozart was so talented as a child that he played for kings and queens. This portrait of him was painted in 1762, when he was just six years old.

Children during Mozart’s time dressed just like adults. He just finished playing for Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.

By the time Mozart was six he was already starting to write harder

and harder music.

Listen to an early piano solo he wrote. Does it sound

different than the minuet you just heard?

As Mozart grew older, his reputation spread. Not only was he a gifted musician, but he could also compose his own music.

Mozart at 14, 1770. He’s playing the harpsichord.

Mozart 2 years before his death in 1777.

Unlike Bach, whose music was very complicated and serious, Mozart’s music was meant to be fun and entertaining.

Listen to Mozart’s Rondo alla Turka

This is a portrait of Mozart’s family. The portrait on the wall is of his dead mother, Anna Maria. His father is to the right. The girl with the big hair is his older sister, Nannerl. Mozart

is in the red jacket. Can you identify the instrument?

This portrait, painted after Mozart’s death, is said to look the most like

him. It was painted in 1819.

Mozart was only 35 years old when he died in 1791. In his short life he wrote over 600 compositions!

Mozart died penniless despite his enormous talent. The greatest composer the world has ever known is buried in an unmarked grave. Some believe Mozart may have been murdered by a jealous rival. What do you think?

Listen to Variations on Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

by Mozart

1.

2. 3.

4.

5.

6.7.

8.

Online Bibliography

• Alexandre H. Hohmann's Mozart Pictures Frame, http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/9570/mozart/pictures.html, available July 22, 2001.

• Mozart's Magical Musical Life, http://www.stringsinthemountains.org/m2m/1once.htm, available July 22, 2001.