| There are those who rise to the peak of their | | | | of success, with two more operas following when |
| specific craft, to which all other people aspire to | | | | he was 15 and 16. |
| climb, but few ever come close. For classical | | | | Throughout the years, until his premature death in |
| music, such is the case with Wolfgang Amadeus | | | | 1791, Mozart was a highly influential figure in the |
| Mozart, the child prodigy who would one day | | | | world of music. What many consider to be the |
| become known as the greatest classical musician | | | | second greatest composer of all time, Ludwig Van |
| of all time. | | | | Beethoven, was strongly influenced by him, |
| Born on January 27, 1756, Mozart would complete | | | | becoming closely acquainted with Mozart's work |
| 600 compositions that are recognized as the | | | | as a teenager. |
| pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, | | | | Throughout history, since his death, Mozart has |
| piano, operatic and choral music. He is the most | | | | had his music performed by countless individuals, |
| popular of all classical composers and most of his | | | | all of whom cite him as a supreme influence on |
| works are standard concert pieces. | | | | their body of work. Arguably one of the greatest |
| The love of music for Mozart would begin when | | | | musicians of all time, Mozart transcended beyond |
| his sister was seven and he, at three-years-old, | | | | just being a performer and legend, becoming a |
| would watch with fascination as she was given | | | | mythical person, whose mind seemed to touch on |
| piano lessons. When he was four-years-old, his | | | | a musical part of the world the rest of us could |
| father began teaching him how to play the piano. | | | | not see. |
| In seemingly no time at all, he could play the piano | | | | Much of his music is still played today. The |
| flawlessly, and by the age of five he was | | | | instruments are similar but not the same. They |
| composing small piano pieces. | | | | are much more in tune and much more |
| By the time Mozart was seven, the family was | | | | expensive. There are music instrument makers |
| traveling Europe to show off the musical prodigy | | | | that still make instruments like those that were |
| at courts across the land. One concert tour for | | | | used in Mozart's time. However, for clarity, |
| the family stretched for three and a half years, | | | | intonation and sound, the more modern |
| from Munich to Paris. During the trip, he met | | | | instruments whether new or used are superior to |
| Johann Christian Bach in 1765, which proved to be | | | | those used hundreds of years ago. |
| a large influence on him. | | | | The music of Mozart is played in symphonies, |
| Mozart's skills showed through during those years. | | | | quartets and small ensembles. They are still |
| Once, while hearing Miserere in the Sistine Chapel, | | | | favored during the holidays and are often played |
| he wrote it down entirely from memory, | | | | at weddings and receptions. While the instruments |
| producing the first illegal copy of a closely-guarded | | | | may have changed and improved over time, |
| piece of music of the Vatican.When he was 14, | | | | Mozart's compositions remain beautiful and |
| he wrote his first opera which met a great deal | | | | timeless. |