Music has been a main component of our culture since times immemorial. Generation after generation, people have enjoyed and experienced different forms and varieties of music. As a consequence every period of history has produced its own breed of musicians but only a few could make a lasting impact in the minds and hearts of people. Mozart was one such product of the 18th century music and went on to become one of the most brilliant composers in the history of music. His great genius was his ability to compose every form of music that included operas, choral, orchestral, and chamber music.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1756. His father was a musician at the court of the Archbishop and his sister was also a talented musician. Even as a very young child Mozart could play violin and harpschord so well that his father took him on a tour to Europe to play before the Royalty. The trio consisting of Mozart, his father and sister, were acclaimed wherever they performed. The young Mozart began to compose at the age of five. Later he studied music in Italy.
During his brief life, Mozart could be able to change the trend of music of the earlier era by providing a tone of emotion to it as the symphonies, sonatas and other instrumental works. In the pre-Mozart era, music almost lacked any kind of emotional expression. He is generally considered as a classical composer because his symphonies, concerts and sonatas follow the rules of the musical forms of the classical period. What is not at all classical about some of Mozart’s music is his very personal note. Some of his finest compositions sound as if he was pouring his heart out of his music.
Mozart composed some of the finest operas which include The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute. He was one of the 18th century musicians who is bracketed with Beethoven and Haydn for evolving and perfecting the orchestral music. His operas reflected every change of mood and twist of plot. The characters were presented as real people rather than theatrical puppets.
Though Mozart captured great attention as a child artist yet the popularity waned with his growing age. As a result he had to earn his living as a humble musician. He spent a greater part of his life in poverty and his health suffered consequently. He died in 1791 at the young age of thirty-five. Unfortunately he died so poor that only the grave digger attended his funeral.