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Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 40 general entries. We are selecting 30 for display.
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 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 Mozart
| Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his first complete symphony (Symphony No. 1 in E Flat) at what age? | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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8. The lively, bright Symphony No. 1 in E Flat was composed in 1764. It was the child genius' first complete symphony, containing three parts: allegro molto, andante, and presto.
| It took the young Mozart two months to complete his first complete symphony while on a tour of western Europe with his father and sister. What city was the work composed in? | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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London. While the elder Mozart was recuperating from a serious throat ailment in London, Mozart and his sister were not permitted to touch the keyboard. So, to occupy themselves, Wolfgang composed the work in his mind while his sister transcribed it. According to his sister, Wolfgang told her to '...be sure to remind me to give the horn something worthwhile to do.'
| The Symphony in F, thought to be Mozart's third composition, was discovered in 1981, written in his father's hand among some private papers, in what city? | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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Munich. The Symphony, written in Leopold Mozart's hand, was entitled, 'Sinfonia in F a 2 Violinj.2 Hautb. 2 Cornj. Viola e Basso.di Wolfgango Mozart.compositore de 9 anj'
| In 1768, Leopold Mozart overstayed his leave of absence granted him from his duties at the Saltzburg court, because a crisis had developed involving young Wolfgang. What was it? | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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rumors began circulating that Wolfgang was a fraud. In overstaying his leave of absence, the Archbishop of Saltzburg cut off all payments to Leopold. However, since rumors were rampant that young Wolfgang was a fraud, and that in fact it was Leopold who did all of the composing, Leopold felt that he could not leave Vienna until he and his son were vindicated. Wolfgang's composition of a comic opera, 'La Finta Semplice', seemed to quiet the opponents, but further delayed Leopold's return.
| Early in his travels, the young Mozart performed at Schonbrun Palace where he was well received and highly praised for his efforts. At the end of one of his concerts, he jumped into the lap of a young lady in the audience and asked, 'Will you marry me?' Who was the young lady? | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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the Archduchess Maria Antonia, the future Marie Antoinette. The beautiful Archduchess Maria Antonia, the future Queen Marie Antoinette of France, was captivated by the young Mozart and, after helping him up and brushing him off after he stumbled, was asked the innocent marriage proposal.
| One of the reasons that Mozart's compositions were so prolific was that he based many of his compositions on what? | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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his own previously composed works. There is a bit of truth to all of the answers here, but I feel the main reason to be his re-working of previously composed works. For example, the 'andante' of Symphony No. 6 in F was a re-working of his composition 'Apollo et {Hyacinthus';} the overture for 'La Finta Semplice' was re-worked from the Symphony No. 7 in D, etc. This is not to take away from his genius; this was a common practice at the time among composers.
33. Mozart's 33 symphonies written during his first 18 years represented over one half of the total number of symphonies written in his lifetime.
| Mozart composed his first choral mass for 4 part choir, 2 vioins, viola, bass and organ at what age? | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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12. In 1768, Leopold Mozart spent the entire year with his two children in {Vienna;} Mozart composed his earliest surviving mass, probably in October or November, the Misa Brevis in G. Though choppy and rudimentary when compared to his later works, the unity of movements with the extensive text involved in a mass, as done by a 12 year old, is astonishing.
| A famous composer once said to Leopold, 'Before God and as an honest man I tell you that your son is the greatest composer known to me.' Who said this? | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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Haydn. Franz Josef Haydn was captivaed by the young Mozart, and felt that his was '...the most profound knowledge of composition..' extant.
an unmarked grave in Vienna, Austria. Mozart was almost bankrupt when he died and, due to lack of funds, was placed in an unmarked grave. Hisory did not record its location.
| Mozart is renowned throughout the world as one of the foremost composers of all time, but what do you know about him? In which Austrian city was he born? | The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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Salzburg. He was born on the 27th of January 1756 at number 9, Getreidegasse.
| He was the seventh, but only second surviving, son of Leopold Mozart and his wife Anna Maria. His father was a musician- what instrument was it that his father excelled in? | The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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Violin. His father composed 'Violin Method', a standard work on violin technique. Mozart's mother was also from a musical family.
| Mozart was christened Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart. What name did he use until 1769 when he began to sign himself Amadeo (Italian for the Latin Amadeus)? | The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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Gottlieb. Gottlieb being the German version of Theophilus. He was actually called Wolferl by his family.
| He initially trained as a harpsichord player with his talented sister and played before King George III. He later worked as Konzertmeister with which famous composer's brother? | The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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Haydn. He was actually sacked in 1781 but was then made a member of the prestigious Academica Filharmonica of Bologna.
6. Legend has it that, at the age of 2, he identified a pig's squeal as a G sharp.
| On the death of Christoph Gluck, Mozart was promoted to 'Composer of the Imperial Chamber' to Emperor Joseph II in Vienna. He was also awarded the Order of the Golden Spur by which Pope? | The Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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Clement XIV. In addition to his composing and performing, he also taught music to the high society at the time.
The Magic Flute . He also wrote the operas 'The Marriage of Figaro', 'Don Giovanni', and 'Cosi fan tutte'. Of Mozart's many symphonies only 41 have been catalogued to him...the rest are either unnumbered symphonies or have since been lost.
Sister. She was 18-year-old Constanze Weber, cousin of the composer Weber, and 8 years his junior. They had 6 children, only two of whom survived, Karl and Franz (who later became a composer himself).
| Leopold Mozart, concertmaster of the court orchestra, came home from church with a friend and found his young son busily writing at his desk. He was at first stern with the boy who had used his ink and paper. Upon examination of the paper he was amazed to discover that five year old Wolfgang had created what form of music? | Great Composers: Mozart
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a concerto. At first it looked like a lot of messy scribbling to Leopold, yet as he studied what his son had done, he decided he truly had created a concerto for the harpsichord as his son Wolfgang had declared. Leopold then declared it a bit difficult, to which little Wolfgang said “not without some practice,” and proceeded to play his new composition. This incident is considered to be Mozart’s first public performance.
5. Mozart's father being a concertmaster made sure both of his children played an instrument, and began their lessons at an early age. Obviously Mozart enjoyed his lessons, unlike most children who dread their weekly piano lessons. Mozart's early exposure to music gives good ground to the argument of starting children earlier than later in their music lessons.
| Leopold could see his son was more talented than he initially thought and decided to take his children on a tour to showcase their talents. Who was Wolgang’s sibling that was part of the musical protégée tour? | Great Composers: Mozart
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His older sister, Nannerl. In 1762 Leopold Mozart took Wolfgang and his sister Nannerl on their first concert tour. They began in Munich where they played for the prince, and went to many places where they were received warmly and enthusiastically. Royalty and the upper ranks of society were especially enthralled by the Mozart family.
| While on tour the Empress Maria Teresa asked them to play at the palace in Vienna. When they were introduced to court what did Mozart do that shocked those in attendance but caused the Empress to simply laugh in amusement? | Great Composers: Mozart
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Mozart climbed into her lap and gave her a kiss. Nanierle gave a very deep, respectful bow to the Empress, as was expected. However, the very young Wolfgang climbed into the Empress’s lap and gave her a kiss. This shocked those in attendance; however, the Empress had children of her own, so she just laughed at his impulsiveness. The Mozart children’s performance received a thunderous acclaim, and they received many gifts.
| The tour proved quite successful, so after a period of rest Leopold took his children on another musical tour. In 1769 they arrived in Italy. What honor did the Pope confer upon Mozart? | Great Composers: Mozart
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The Golden Spur". The Golden Spur gave Mozart the title of Cavalier. While I have yet if it was for any specific work Mozart was being recognized for, it honor was bestowed upon him the same year he wrote the Italian Opera "Mithridates, King of Pontus." There is perhaps a connection, or the Pope may have wanted to recognize Mozart's overall contributions to music at that point.
| Although this tour was just as successful, the Mozarts returned home since Wolfgang needed to begin the position that the Archbishop had appointed him. What was Wolfgang Mozart’s first job?
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Concertmaster and Conductor of the Chapel Orchestra. Wolfgang was now the Concertmaster and Conductor of the Salzburg Chapel Orchestra, and was treated well by the Archbishop. Unfortunately, the succeeding Archbishop did not esteem Mozart as well, and Mozart felt he was treated shabbily. He asked for a leave of absence, which was granted, so Mozart went on tour once again.
| Mozart went on concert tours while on leave from his position. He traveled with his mother this time and when they stopped in Manheim he met a beautiful singer. What was this woman’s name that had captured Mozart’s heart? | Great Composers: Mozart
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Aloysia. Mozart became smitten with the beautiful Aloysia Weber, and composed the Serenade for Thirteen Woodwinds as a result of his feelings for this woman. He told her to wait while he secured a position. Mozart and his mother went onto Paris, where he was warmly received. He received commissions for new work and created the well-known “Concerto for Flute and Harp” from one of these commissions. He was able to support himself on these commissions. Sadly, his mother died while they were in Paris. He chose not to stay in Paris, and went home to be with his father and sister.
| Mozart returned to his former position, but did not stay long. He returned to Vienna, only to find his true love had married another. In a rebound move Mozart turned to what woman to woo as his wife? | Great Composers: Mozart
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his former love's younger sister. Mozart had indeed returned to his former position, yet again resented the shabby treatment, and resigned. He had hopes of finding a placement in Vienna, which did not materialize. He also find himself rejected by Aloysia, who had not waited, and had instead married an actor. Mozart turned to her sister, Constanze, who was also a singer. They married, despite Mozart’s father’s disapproval. Mozart and Constanze had two boys, who also did their fair share of composing.
| Mozart was now a family man. In order to support his young family he kept up his prolific zeal with teaching, composing, and playing. During this period which opera did Mozart create that the Viennese crowd did not receive with enthusiasm, although it was received well in Prague? | Great Composers: Mozart
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“The Marriage of Figaro”. Mozart was having problems getting commissions, which meant no money was coming in. His opera “The Marriage of Figaro” was not received well in Vienna, although it was by the Prague crowd. He had been writing his operas in the Italian style up to this point, but he was convinced to try his hand at an opera in German, so he created “The Magic Flute,” which has proved to be one of his most enduring operas.
| Mozart was struggling financially, and commissions were not coming in for his music. So when a mysterious stranger clad in black came to Mozart one night and commissioned a mass requiem (a funeral song) for 100 ducats, Mozart agreed. It proved to be the last thing Mozart wrote. How old was Mozart when he died? | Great Composers: Mozart
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35. Mozart had a foreboding feeling about this piece of music, almost thinking it was for himself, as his own health had been poorly recently. He continued writing on it and in doing so he worked himself into illness. December 5, 1791 Mozart’s delicate health failed at the young age of 35. There was such little money in the house that Mozart was buried in a mass grave, and to this day it is not known where his remains truly lie, though many monuments have been built in his honor. Nonetheless, his greatest monument is the music he left behind for generations to enjoy.
Johann Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart. Mozart generally signed his manuscripts "Wolfgang Amadé Mozart"(a French variation).
Leopold Mozart and Anna Maria Mozart. Mozart was born in Salzburg which is now a part of Austria, but it was part of the Holy Roman Empire at that time. Leopold Mozart was a famous composer who wrote several symphonies, the best known of which is probably his "Toy Symphony".
| Alexander Pushkin, the noted poet, playwright and dramatist, composed a play on the then popular rumor that Mozart was poisoned to death by another great musician of that time. Who was that renowned musician? | The Wizard Named Mozart
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Antonio Salieri. Mozart was never said to be on bad terms with Beethoven, and Haydn was considered one of his closest friends. Bach is said to have been a great inspiration to Mozart. The rumor that Salieri poisoned Mozart was also the basis for Peter Shaffer's play "Amadeus", and the film which was made from it.
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