Mozart and Musical Change: The Classical Period 17501827

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Mozart and Musical ChangeThe Classical
Period1750-1827
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Its lucky for us Bach died in 1750 because that
neatly divides the 18th century in half. Bachs
death in 1750 ends the Baroque period and begins
a new musical period called the Classical period.
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The most famous composer of the Classical period
was Mozart.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart1756-1791
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As with many great composers, Mozarts first
teacher was his father, Leopold Mozart.
Leopold Mozart, 1765.
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Mozart could write music before he could write
words! When he was five he wrote a minuet for
keyboard.
Listen to Mozarts Minuet
A minuet is a slow dance for couples and groups
of people. It was popular during his day.

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Mozart was so talented as a child that he played
for kings and queens. This portrait of him was
painted in 1762, when he was just six years old.
Children during Mozarts time dressed just like
adults. He just finished playing for Empress
Maria Theresa of Austria.
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By the time Mozart was six he was already
starting to write harder and harder music.
Listen to an early piano solo he wrote. Does it
sound different than the minuet you just heard?
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As Mozart grew older, his reputation spread. Not
only was he a gifted musician, but he could also
compose his own music.
Mozart at 14, 1770. Hes playing the harpsichord.
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Unlike Bach, whose music was very complicated and
serious, Mozarts music was meant to be fun and
entertaining.
Mozart 2 years before his death in 1777.
Listen to Mozarts Rondo alla Turka
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This is a portrait of Mozarts family. The
portrait on the wall is of his dead mother, Anna
Maria. His father is to the right. The girl
with the big hair is his older sister, Nannerl.
Mozart is in the red jacket. Can you identify
the instrument?
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Mozart was only 36 years old when he died in
1791. In his short life he wrote over 600
compositions!
This portrait, painted after Mozarts death, is
said to look the most like him. It was painted
in 1819.
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Mozart died penniless despite his enormous
talent. The greatest composer the world has ever
known is buried in an unmarked grave. Some
believe Mozart may have been murdered by a
jealous rival. What do you think?
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Listen to Variations on Twinkle, Twinkle, Little
Star by Mozart
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Online Bibliography

• Alexandre H. Hohmann's Mozart Pictures Frame,
  http//www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/9570/mozar
  t/pictures.html, available July 22, 2001.
  
• Mozart's Magical Musical Life, http//www.stringsi
  nthemountains.org/m2m/1once.htm, available July
  22, 2001.