Mozart's life
Here
a few words to Mozart's life, but there are so many books... The first about
his life was the biography by Georg Nikolaus Nissen.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus
Theophilus Mozart on January 27, 1756 / 8pm in Salzburg, Getreidegasse 9 as
seventh child. Five brothers and sisters died in baby age. The house
Getreidegasse 9 belonged to the merchant Johann Lorenz Hagenauer
(1719-1792). The Mozarts lived in a 4-room-flat in the third floor. Wolfgang
Amadeus was baptized on January 28, 1756 in Salzburg Cathedral. Salzburg at
that time had approximately 16,000 inhabitants. Cultural center were the
religious court and Benediktiner-university founded 1623. The name Amadeus
is Latin and means "love God". Mozart preferred Amedé, the French form of
Amadeus.
Father Leopold, an established violin teacher, recognized very soon the
musical talent ("Ich glaub, er hat’s vom lieben Gott") (I believe, god gave
it to him) and supported him. Mozart said: „Nach dem lieben Gott koemmt
gleich der Papa.“ (First there is the Lord above, but my papa is second).
Already at the age of 5 years he composed. He wrote for 2 pianos and Duetts
for a common play with his sister Maria Anna Walburga Ignatia ("Nannerl").
The first public appearance took place at the September 1, 1761 in Salzburg,
as "salii" (dancer) in latin drama "Sigismund Hungariae Rex".
Mozart never studied at school or university, but he was close to Salzburg
university with his compositions. He composed for his friends when they
finished studies successfully. Nevertheless he learned several instruments,
composition (he reached perfection in counterpoint in the Viennese years),
mathematics and the languages Italian, French, English and Latin.
On January 12, 1762 father Leopold started a journey with Wolfgang Amadeus
and Nannerl for 3 weeks on art journey to Munich. Wolfang Amadeus and
Nannerl played concerts there for cure prince Maximilian III. Joseph of
Bavaria. In autumn 1762 the Mozart-family visited Vienna, where they were
invited by empress Maria Theresia on October 13, 1762. Leopold wrote to his
house gentleman Hagenauer on October 16 a letter saying: "Der Wolferl ist
der Kayserin auf den Schooß gesprungen, sie um den Halß bekommen und
rechtschaffen abgeküsst. Kurz wir sind von 3 uhr bis 6 uhr bei ihr gewesen"
(Wolfgang jumped on empress and kissed her neck. We been there from 3 to 6.)
Empress Maria Theresia thanked with valuable gifts, among other things the
children received a golden cloth. As Wolfgang Amadeus slipped while playing
princess Marie Antoinette (later French Queen and executed with Louis XVI)
took him up, Wolfgang said: "Sie ist brav. Ich will sie heiraten!" (She is
good, wanna marry her). Salzburg's prince archbishop Sigismund Christoph
Graf von Schrattenbach supported generously Mozart's journeys.
On February 28, 1762 the prince-archbishop engaged Leopold Mozart as vice
musical director. Wolfgang Amadeus played a concert in honor of prince
archbishop's birthday.
In summer 1763 the Mozart-family traveled to Augsburg, the hometown of
father Leopold, then to Belgium and France. Wolfgang Amadeus fascinated his
audience. He was called "the small one with the big hands". During Wolfgang
Amadeus' stay in Paris the works KV 6 and 7 were published as Opus I and KV
8 and 9 as Opus II. On April 23, 1764 the family arrived in London. Wolfgang
Amadeus played on public performances and also played a concert for king
George III. and his wife Sophie Charlotte.
Eleven months after the return to Salzburg the family traveled to Vienna,
but there was a smallpox epidemic disease, so the Mozart-family traveled to
Brno (Bruenn) and Olmuetz. Nevertheless Wolfgang Amadeus and Nannerl got
sick.
On suggestion of emperor Joseph II., supported by Christoph Willibald Gluck,
Wolfgang Amadeus started work on Opera buffa "La Finta semplice "KV 51 (46a)
at end of January 1768. A intrigue prevented a performance, so (probable) it
was first performed in May 1769 in Salzburg. Antonio Salieri was his biggest
adversary at court.
On May 13, 1767 the school drama "Apollo et Hyacinthus" was performed in
university. On March 12, 1767 "Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots" (debt of
the first Commandment) was first performed at Rittersaal (knight's hall) at
Salzburg residence. In the years 1767 to 1769 further first performances
took place; Mozart traveled to Vienna again. 1768 the opera "Bastien and
Bastienne" and the "Waisenhausmesse" orphanage mass was performed in the
house of med.doctor F.A.Mesmer.
1769 became Wolfgang Amadeus leader of Salzburg court music - without
salary. On December 13, 1769 Leopold and Wolfgang Amadeus started a journey
to Italy. Mozart became acquainted with N. Piccini, G. B. Sammartini and the
Kastraten C Farinelli and G. Manzuoli. In Verona Wolfgang Amadeus played his
first Italian concert, in Milan received an order for the Opera seria "Mitridate,
Re di Ponto "KV 87 (7â) for the Karneval-Stagione 1770/1771. The premiere
took place on December 26, 1770 in Regio Ducal Teatro in Milan conducted by
Wolfgang Amadeus. In Bologna he met the famous Italian music theoretician
Padre Giovanni Battista Martini, who certified highest musical talent after
an examination. In Rome he received insignias of the medal of the "golden
spur" from the cardinal secretary count Pallavicini, who received it from
Pope Clemens XIV. What a high honor, only Orlando di Lasso had received
until this time. In October 1770 the opera "Mitridate, Rè di Ponto" was
performed in Milan and played 21 times. On October 10, 1770 when Mozart
already was returning after a test-work Wolfgang Amadeus became a member of
Accademia Filarmonica.
On March 28, 1771 both traveled to Salzburg again to work on the opera "Lucio
Silla" for Milan's carneval 1772/1773. On August 13 Leopold and Wolfgang
Amadeus traveled to Milan. On October 17, 1771 "Ascanio in Alba" was
performed on the occasion of marriage of ore duke Ferdinand with princess
Maria Ricciarda Beatrice d'Este of Modena.
On December 15, 1771 they returned to Salzburg. On December 16, 1771
Sigismund Christoph Graf von Schrattenbach, Mozart's employer and supporter,
died. Prince archbishop Hieronymus Graf Colloredo became successor. He was
open for new reform-ideas, but reserved to cultural activities. For his
enthronement Mozart wrote "Il sogno di Scipione".
1772 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart became leader of the Salzburg court-ensemble.
He traveled to Milan again with father Leopold for the performance of his
work Dramma by musica "Lucio Silla "at Regio Ducal Teatro. A late return was
explained with an illness of father Leopold - a pretence.
In autumn 1773 Mozart-family moved to Makartplatz 8-9 - Makart-square (at
that time Hannibalplatz - Hannibal-square) to the so-called Tanzmeisterhaus
(dance master house), which was named after the house owner Maria Anna Raab
(1710-1788), mentioned "Tanzmeister-Mitzerl" (dance master Maria). The new
flat had 8 rooms and a beautiful view to the square. On search for a new
employment Mozarts traveled to Vienna from July 14 to September 26, 1773 and
to Munich from December 6, 1774 to March 7, 1775. Unfortunately
unsuccessful.
On April 23, 1767 the Serenata "Il Re pastore" was first performed in
Rittersaal (knight's hall) at residence.
In August 1777 Mozart asked for dismissal for job-seeking. On September 23,
1777 6am early in the morning Wolfgang Amadeus and his mother Anna Maria
traveled to Mannheim, prince archbishop Hieronymus rejected Leopold Mozart's
application for a leave. In Mannheim Mozart became acquainted with Franz
Fridolin Weber, his wife Maria Caecilia and their daughters Aloysia and
Constance. Mozart fell in love with Aloysia.
In a letter at Abbé Bullinger on August 7, 1778 Mozart wrote: "Sie wissen,
bester freuend, wie mir Salzburg verhasst ist!... daß Salzburg kein ort fuer
mein Talent ist!" (You know, my best friend, how I hate Salzburg! ...that
Salzburg is not a place for my talent!) and to his father he wrote on
September 11, 1778 "was mich in Salzbourg degoutirt, ist, daß man mit den
leueten keinen rechten umgang haben kann" (what I don't like in Salzburg
that You cannot keep social contact to people).
He continued his journey to Paris, where his mother Anna Maria died on July
3, 1778 10pm. Mozart's creativity suffered at this time under the stroke of
fate. He only wrote two important works: the Symphony in D major and the
still missing Sinfonia concertante for brass. From his letters we know that
he did not like Paris very much. The Paris music-life of the Ancien régime
did not have claims of quality and was driven from vanities and national
pride. Mozart returned to Salzburg in January 1779, where he was employed as
court organist on January17, 1779.
At end of 1780 Mozart traveled to Munich for the performance of his serious
opera (Opera seria) "Idomeneo, Re di Creta". On instruction of prince
archbishop Hieronymus Mozart traveled to Vienna on March 12, 1781. Besides
social contacts he met family Weber again, which moved from Mannheim to
Vienna in 1779. The conflict between Mozart and the prince archbishop
escalated, Mozart threatened not to return to Salzburg.
The Mozart-family frequently visited the Hoftheater (court-theatre)
constructed 1775 and contacted the acting groups. Remarkable the group of
Emanuel Schikaneder which started playing on September 17, 1780. Schiakneder
became a texter for Mozart's works.
On November 5, 1780 Wolfgang Amadeus traveled to Munich alone to finish the
opera Idomeneo. The first performance was a little later under presence from
father Leopold and sister Nannerl.
Conflicts with prince archbishop escalated and ended up with quit of job on
June 8, 1781. Mozart moved to Vienna to Deutschordenhaus working as
concertpianist playing his works, as opera-composer and teacher. His pupils
were (among others) Maria Theresia von Trattner, the wife of the publisher
and owner of printering Johann Thomas von Trattner and Wilhemine Graefin von
Thun. Later he moved to subtenancy in Caecilia Weber's house "Zum Auge
Gottes" Milchgasse 1/Petersplatz 8/Tuchlauben 6 in Vienna 1. Aloysia
meanwhile was married with the actor and painter Josef Lange. Mozart also
played morning concerts in the park Augarten and in "Mehlgrube", a ball- and
a concert hall at Neuer Markt.
On July 16, 1782 "Die Entfuehrung aus dem Serail" (The carry off Serail) was
very successfully first performed at Burgtheater. On August 4, 1782 Mozart
married Constance Weber at St.Stephan's Cathedral, which he had become
acquainted with in Mannheim.
End of 1782 Mozart finished the first of six string-quartette dedicated to
composer Joseph Haydn (KV 387, 421 (417b), 428 (421b), 458, 464, 465).
1783 Mozart an Constance traveled to Salzburg to his family, father Leopold
and sister Nannerl. On October 26, 1783 the first performance of the
C-Moll-mass KV 427 took place. Constance sang the Soprano. Johann Michael
Haydn, a friend of the family, had order by archbishop to write duets for
violin and viola, but could not work because of serious illness, so Mozart
composed within a few days (KV 423 and 424) and published in Haydn's name.
1784 Carl Thomas was born, it was Mozart's second child. In February Mozart
catalogued his works as "listing of all of my works". It was published as
facsimile in 1956. This index starts with piano concert E flat major KV 449.
On April 1, 1784 in Burgtheater the Symphony KV 425 and 385, two piano
concerts KV 450 and 451 and the piano-quintet KV 452 was performed.
1784 Mozart became member of the freemason's lodge "Zur Wohltätigkeit" (the
charity), 1785 he became a master. He convinced his father Leopold, which
joined too.
Mozart changed flat in Vienna 13 times. He lived in the "Camesinahaus" in
Schulerstrasse 8 / Domgasse 5, named after stucco specialist Albert Camesina.
Mozart even had a billard-room there. He wrote the opera "Le Nozze di
Figaro" there. On Mozart's order the Librettist Lorenzo Ponte reworked the
play "Le Mariage de Figaro" in such a way that it was not complained by the
censors. Remarkable that this play deals with abolishment of noble's
privileges and equalization of all people. The first performance was (only)
3 years before the French revolution.
On September 1, 1785 the publisher Artaria published with large dedication
six string quartettes dedicated to Haydn.
On February 7, 1786 the opera "Der Schaupieldirector" (theatre director) was
first performed at Orangerie in castle Schoenbrunn. On May 1, 1786 was the
first performance of "Le Nozze di Figaro" at Burgtheater. After 9
performances the Figaro was off the schedule.
On May 28, 1787 father Leopold died in Salzburg.
1787 Mozart and his wife Constance traveled to Prague, where "Le Nozze di
Figaro" was performed and the premiere of "Don Giovanni" in Staendetheater
theatre end of October 1787 took place. "Don Giovanni" was a work in
co-operation with Lorenzo da Ponte. Then Mozart traveled to Dresden, Meissen,
Potsdam and Berlin, where he visited the court of the Prussia king Friedrich
William II. With journeys and social obligations Mozart became financially
under pressure and had to lend money from friends. On December 7, 1787 -
after Christoph Willibald Gluck had died - Mozart became Kammermusikus
(court musician). He received 800 guldens annually. But he lived in a modest
suburban house in Landstrasse (now part of Vienna). "Don Giovanni" was
performed 15 times in Vienna and then taken off the schedule. Emperor Joseph
II. said: "this new opera, I know, is no good for the teeth of my Viennese".
1789 Mozart traveled to Berlin as companion of prince Lichnowsky.
On January 26, 1790 the opera "Cosi fan tutte", an ordered work, was first
performed at Burgtheater and after the tenth performance set off the
schedule. 1790 Mozart traveled to Frankfurt, where Leopold II. was crowned
to emperor. This was brother and successor of emperor Joseph II. who died
1790. Then he went to Prague for the performance opera "La Clemenza di Tito"
on September 6, 1790 on the occasion of the crowning of Leopold II. to king
of Bohemia. On October 30, 1791 the first performance of opera "The Magic
Flute" took place at Freihaustheater, a suburb theatre in Wieden (now a
district of Vienna), directed by Emanuel Schikaneder. Mozart conducted from
a concert-piano. Mozart's sister-in-law Josepha Hofer sang Queen of night,
Schikaneder the Papageno. 24 performances in October and 35 until December
is documentation of large success. This preserved Mozart and Schikaneder
from financial ruin.
1791 Franz Xaver Wolfgang, Mozart's sixth child, was born, later known as
W.A.Mozart (son). Mozart became a deputy musical director of St.Stephan in
Vienna - withour salary. Mozart started working on Requiem KV 626. This by
count F. Walsegg Walsegg-Stuppach ordered piece of work remained unfinished;
on order of Constance J.L.von Eybler and F.X.Suessmayer have completed work;
the Suessmayer-version is more famous. Mozart died on December 5, 1791
around 0h55 in his rooms in Rauhensteingasse 8 ("small emperor house") in
Vienna by fever. On December 6, 1791 he was buried at St.Marxer cemetery in
Vienna by josephenean 3rd-class funeral. The costs were 8 guldens and 56
cruisers. Constance was not present, she visited his grave 17 years after
his death for the first time. The grave could not be located exactly, the
honored grave with gravestone is an illusory and empty grave in honor of the
composer.
Mozart's inheritance was
four sofas
18 chairs
five cupboards
five tables
a billard-table
a secretary
a manuscript cupboard
two book-shelves
four beds
a Fortepiano
a spinett kitchen equipment
servant's equipment
a coach including horse
After Mozarts' death Constance contacted the publisher Johann Anton André.
Six children Mozart's were born in Vienna, only two survived. The first son
died after 2 months old, the third son not even one month, the first
daughter died at the age of 8 months and the second daughter Anna was
emergency-babtized and died on her day of birth. Carl Thomas was educated a
merchant in Livorno and thereafter studied music by initiative of Joseph
Haydn. 1810 he gave up and thereafter he worked as official. Franz Xaver
Wolfgang was educated by Johann Georg Albrechtsberger, Johann Nepomuk
Hummel, Antonio Salieri and George Joseph Vogler and became an important
pianist and composer.
1809 Constance married the Danish diplomat Georg Nikolaus Nissen in
Bratislava, who wrote the first Mozart-biography.
The first comprehensive listing of Mozart's works was provided Ludwig Ritter
von Koechel and it was published 1862.
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