The outstanding Austrian composer V.A. Mozart is one of the representatives of the Viennese classical school. His gift manifested from early childhood. Mozart’s works reflect the ideas of the Storm and Onslaught movement and the German Enlightenment. The music has the artistic experience of various traditions and national schools. The most famous works of Mozart, the list of which is huge, took their place in the history of musical art. He wrote more than twenty operas, forty-one symphonies, concerts for various instruments with an orchestra, chamber-instrumental and piano compositions.
Brief information about the composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Austrian composer) was born on 01.27.1756 in the beautiful town of Salzburg. Besides composing? he was an excellent harpsichordist, bandmaster, organist and virtuoso violinist. He had an absolute musical ear, a gorgeous memory and a craving for improvisation. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of the greatest composers not only of his time, but also of modern times. His genius was reflected in the works written in different forms and genres. Mozart's works are still popular. And this indicates that the composer passed the "test of time". His name is most often mentioned alongside Haydn and Beethoven as a representative of Viennese classicism.
Biography and creative path. 1756-1780 years of life
Mozart was born on January 27, 1756. He began to compose early, from about the age of three. The first music teacher was a father. In 1762, he went with his father and sister on a great artistic journey through various cities of Germany, England, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. At this time, the first works of Mozart are created. The list of them is gradually expanding. Since 1763 he lives in Paris. Creates sonatas for violin and harpsichord. Between 1766-1769 he lives in Salzburg and Vienna. With pleasure immersed in the study of the compositions of great masters. Among them are Handel, Durante, Carissimi, Stradella and many others. In the years 1770-1774. located mainly in Italy. He meets the famous composer at that time - Joseph Myslivechek, whose influence can be traced in the further work of Wolfgang Amadeus. In the years 1775-1780 makes a trip to Munich, Paris and Mannheim. He is experiencing material difficulties. Deprived of mother. During this period, many works of Mozart were written. Their list is huge. It:
- concert for flute and harp;
- six clavier sonatas;
- several spiritual choirs;
- Symphony 31 in tonality in D major, which is known as Paris;
- twelve ballet numbers and many other compositions.
Biography and creative path. 1779-1791 years of life
In 1779 he worked in Salzburg as a court organist. In 1781, in Munich, the premiere of his opera "Idomen" took place with great success. This was a new turn in the fate of the creative person. Then he lives in Vienna. In 1783 he married Constance Weber. During this period, Mozart's opera works go badly. Their list is not so long. These are the operas L'oca del Cairo and Lo sposo deluso, which have remained unfinished. In 1786, his excellent “The Wedding of Figaro” was written according to the libretto of Lorenzo da Ponte. It was delivered in Vienna and enjoyed great success. Many thought this was Mozart’s best opera. In 1787, an equally successful opera was released, which was also created in collaboration with Lorenzo da Ponte. This is Don Giovanni. Then he receives the position of "imperial and royal chamber musician." For which he is paid 800 florins. He writes dances for masquerades and a comic opera. In May 1791, Mozart was taken on the position of Assistant Bandmaster of the Cathedral of St. Stephen. She was not paid, but provided an opportunity after the death of Leopold Hoffmann (who was very ill) to take his place. However, this did not happen. In December 1791, the brilliant composer died. There are two versions of the cause of his death. The first is the complication of rheumatic fever after an illness. The second version is similar to the legend, but is supported by many musicologists. This is the poisoning of Mozart by composer Salieri.
The main works of Mozart. List of works
Opera is one of the main genres of his work. He has a school opera, singspiers, opera series and buffa, as well as a big opera. From the pen of the compo:
- school opera: The Transformation of Hyacinth, also known as Apollo and Hyacinth;
- opera series: "Idomen" ("Elijah and Idamant"), "Charity of Titus", "Mithridates, King of Pontus";
- buffalo operas: Imaginary Gardener, The Cheated Bridegroom, Figaro's Wedding, All of These Are, Cairo Goose, Don Giovanni, Fake Simpleton;
- singspils: "Bastien and Bastienne", "Zayed", "Abduction from the seraglio";
- grand opera: "Opera Magic Flute";
- pantomime ballet "Baubles";
- Mass: 1768-1780, created in Salzburg, Munich and Vienna;
- Requiem (1791);
- oratorio Liberated Vetulia;
- cantatas: "Penitent David", "The joy of the masons", "You, the soul of the universe", "Little Masonic cantata."
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Works for orchestra
Works by V.A. Mozart for the orchestra are striking in their scale. It:
- symphonies;
- concerts and rondo for piano and orchestra and for violin and orchestra;
- concerts for two violins and orchestra in key in C major, for violin and viola with orchestra, for flute and orchestra in key in G major, for oboe and orchestra, for clarinet and orchestra, for bassoon, for horn, flute and harp (C major );
- concerts for two pianos with an orchestra (E flat major) and three (F major);
- divertissements and serenades for a symphony orchestra, string, wind ensemble.
Pieces for orchestra and ensemble
He composed a lot for the orchestra and ensemble Mozart. Famous works:
- Galimathias musicum (1766);
- Maurerische Trauermusik (1785);
- Ein musikalischer Spa (1787);
- marches (some of them joined serenades);
- dances (counter-dances, landders, minuets);
- church sonatas, quartets, quintets, trios, duets, variations.
For clavier (piano)
Mozart's music for this instrument is very popular with pianists. It:
- sonatas: 1774 - C major (K 279), F major (K 280), G major (K 283); 1775 - D major (K 284); 1777 - C major (K 309), D major (K 311); 1778 - in A minor (K 310), C major (K 330), A major (K 331), F major (K 332), B flat major (K 333); 1784 - C minor (K 457); 1788 - F major (K 533), C major (K 545);
- fifteen cycles of variations (1766-1791);
- rondo (1786, 1787);
- fantasy (1782, 1785);
- different plays.
Symphony No. 40 by V. A. Mozart
Mozart's symphonies were created from 1764 to 1788. The last three became the highest achievement of this genre. In total, Wolfgang wrote more than 50 symphonies. But according to the numbering of domestic musicology, the 41st symphony (Jupiter) is considered the last.
The best Mozart symphonies (No. 39-41) are unique creations that do not lend themselves to the typification established at that time. Each of them contains a fundamentally new artistic idea.
Symphony No. 40 is the most popular work of this genre. The first part begins with an excited melody of violins of a question and answer structure. The main part resembles the aria of Cherubino from the opera "Figaro's Wedding". The side part is lyrical and melancholy, makes up the main contrast. Development begins with a small melody of bassoons. There are gloomy and mournful intonations. The dramatic action begins. Reprise reinforces stress.
In the second part, a calmly contemplative mood prevails. A sonata form is also used here. The main theme is performed by violas, then violins pick it up. The second theme seems to "flutter."
The third is calm, gentle and melodious. Development brings us back to an excited mood, anxiety appears. Reprise is again a bright thoughtfulness. The third part is a minuet with the features of a march, but in the amount of three quarters. The main theme is courageous and decisive. It is performed by violins and flute. Transparent pastoral sounds appear in the trio.
The swift finale continues its dramatic development, culminating in the highest point. Anxiety and excitement are inherent in all sections of the fourth part. And only the last bars make a small statement.
V.A. Mozart was an excellent harpsichord player, bandmaster, organist and virtuoso violinist. He had an absolute musical ear, a gorgeous memory and a craving for improvisation. His excellent works have taken their place in the history of musical art.