Composer: Mozart - p. 61-62 Flashcards
What year was was Mozart born and died in?
1756-1791
Where was he born?
Salzburg, Austria
Who was his father? What was his father job? What was his father’s involvement in Mozart’s education?
Mozart’s father was Leopold Mozart.
He was a musician as well - a violinist, a court musician and a court composer.
Mozart’s father taught him a few instruments (harpsichord, violin, organ) and composition. He also planned Mozart’s tours across Europe.
Mozart stayed in this city in the first half of his career.
Which city was that?
How long was he in this city?
Describe his life and musical career during this time.
Mozart worked in Salzburg, Vienna for about 12 years - from the time he was 13 to 25 years (1967-1781). He didn’t have much luck finding steady employment. He travelled to Italy and had tours in a few countries.
Mozart stayed in this city in the second half of his career.
Which city was that?
How long was he in this city?
Describe his life and musical career during this time.
Mozart was not happy with Salzburg so he moved to Vienna when he was 25 until he died in 1791.
He was not successful in finding a job working for the the emperor, Joseph II for the first 5 years but Mozart did fairly well as a self-employed pianist, teacher, and composer. Mozart spent more money than he made so he was in financial trouble most of his career.
He married Constanze Weber when he was 26, against his father’s wish. Two of their children survived.
When he was 30, he became a chamber music composer for the Emperor Joseph II.
Mozart composed operas throughout his time in those two cities. Mozart worked with his favourite librettist, Lorenzo da Ponte, in numerous operas.
He died in Vienna when he was 25.
Tell me something about Mozart’s last year
Mozart died in 1791, when he was just 35 years old. His health was getting worse and he was getting more poor. He was hired to compose a Requiem, which is a Mass for the dead. His ‘The Marriage of Flute” was a huge success. He composed music for the coronation of Leopold of II. he was buried in an unmarked grave after an inexpensive funeral. His student, Franz Xavier Sussmayr, completed the work.
Who influenced Mozart’s in composing for piano concerto?
Johann Christian Bach
What types of operas did Mozart compose and give one example title for each type of opera.
1) opera buffa - Italian comic opera, sung throughout. For example: the Marriage of Figaro
2) opera seria - serious Italian opera, sung throughout. For example, Idomeneo
3) singspiel - German comic opera with spoken dialogue. For example: The Magic Flute
Give two symphonies titles (their nicknames).
Give two of the following:
Haffner, Linz, Prague and Jupiter
Give two examples of Mozart’s vocal works
Lieder, the Coronation Mass and Requiem mass
Give two examples of Mozart’s operas
Pick two of the followings:
The Marriage of Figaro
The Magic Flute
Don Giovanni
Why is Mozart’s music a good example of classicism?
- elegance, balance, poise, sophistication
- symmetrical four measure phrases
-influenced by the Mannheim orchestra.
