Happy Birthday Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart! (Jan 27, 1756)
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Hi WA friends!
Let's celebrate the birthday of one of the greatest composers of all time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart!
A Little History
Imagine composing your first symphony at eight years old. That was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a musical prodigy who was born in 1756 in Salzburg, Austria. His talent was nurtured by his father, Leopold, who took Mozart on a whirlwind of childhood European tours with jaw-dropping performances!
Mozart wasn't just a child star, though. He grew into a master composer who redefined classical music. His operas, like "The Marriage of Figaro," were alive with wit and drama, while his symphonies, like Jupiter, took listeners on an emotional rollercoaster of sound!
From chamber pieces to concertos, Mozart's music consistently demonstrated his musical genius with melody and harmony that was pure magic!
Sadly, Mozart passed away at the young age of 35 (actually, not so young for way back then), but he left behind an incredible legacy of music that still shines bright today! His music isn't just old; it's timeless and a testament to the power of human creativity!
Amadeus, an Incredible Movie!
Amadeus is a portrail of the life and times of Mozart. I've seen it dozens of times, and I'll watch it again today in honor of his birthday! It was released in 1984 and stars Tom Hulce as Mozart and F. Murray Abraham as Antonio Salieri, his bitter rival.
The soundtrack and cinematography are nothing less than fabulous!
The movie won the following awards (courtesy of Bard):
Academy Awards (1985):
- Best Picture
- Best Actor in a Leading Role: F. Murray Abraham
- Best Director: Miloลก Forman
- Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Peter Shaffer
- Best Costume Design: Phyllis Dalton
- Best Art Direction: Patrizia von Brandenstein and Karel ฤernรฝ
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Dick Smith and Dick Briece
- Best Sound: James Guthrie and Randy Thom
Golden Globe Awards (1985):
- Best Director - Motion Picture: Miloลก Forman
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: F. Murray Abraham
- Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: Peter Shaffer
BAFTA Awards (1985):
- Best Film
- Best Director: Miloลก Forman
- Best Actor: F. Murray Abraham
- Best Screenplay: Peter Shaffer
Yes, that's right! F. Murray Abraham (Antonio Salieri) won the Oscar for "Best Actor in a Leading Role, not Tom Hulce (who played Mozart)! Watch the movie, and you'll see why.
There's Nothing Better Than Opera!
Most people are surprised to learn that Opera is my favorite music, followed by classical (symphonic) music. It's truly amazing how many musical genres came from it.
Opera gives it to you all; amazing music with incredible singers and astounding visuals! Just the thing for someone like me with a very short attention span! Lol ๐
Take the classical scales and arpeggios and play them on an electric guitar at the speed of light through a stack of Marshall amps, and you could find yourself shredding Metal!
Discography
You're probably saying, "You gotta be kidding me, right?," if you're a true Mozart fan.
Mozart was such a prolific composer that you'd have to consult the written works of some of the great musical scholars for a complete discography!
So, I'd recommend you begin with a "greatest operas" or "greatest symphonies" collection to get a basic idea of what Mozart composed.
However, here's a breakdown of Mozart's compositions by category (courtesy of Bard):
Sacred Choral Music:
- Masses: 19, including the famous Requiem (K. 626)
- Litanies: 4
- Vespers and psalms: 14
- Church music: Various smaller works
- Oratorios and cantatas: 5
Theatre Music:
- Operas: 22, including The Marriage of Figaro (K. 492) and Don Giovanni (K. 527)
- Ballet music: 7
- Arias, songs and vocal ensembles: Approximately 60
Orchestral Works:
- Symphonies: 41, including the Jupiter Symphony (K. 551)
- Piano concertos: 27
- Violin concertos: 5
- Brass concertos: 4
- Woodwind concertos: 8
- Concertante symphonies: 1
- Other concertos: Various works for flute, horn, and harp
Chamber Music:
- String quartets: 23
- String quintets: 6
- Piano trios: 5
- Other chamber works: Numerous sonatas, duos, and divertimenti
Solo Instrumental Music:
- Piano sonatas: 18
- Violin sonatas: 35
- Other solo works: Variations, fantasias, and Rondos
Unfinished Works and Fragments:
- Approximately 130 unfinished works or fragments
Now that's pure genius!!
Celebrate the Day!
Listen to some Mozart today to mark the occasion, and see the movie Amadeus, especially if you've never watched it before!
We're having some friends who love opera and classical music over for a little musical evening soiree with music, food, and drink.
Happy Birthday, Mozart! ๐
Let me know what you think in the comments, AND ...
Keep On Rockin'! ๐ค
Frank ๐ธ
~ 65% Human-written content
Recent Comments
65
Thank you for sharing, Frank!
Although that type of music isn't my thing, I do have a huge admiration and appreciation for WAM's talents and his contribution to music! His music has influenced nearly every type of music we listen to today.
And I had no I idea he wrote so many things in his short life!
Happy Birthday, WAM!
Tim
You're welcome, Tim.
I think somebody like you would really enjoy the movie, if you haven't seen it already. It won 8 Oscars! ๐
Rock On! ๐ค
Frank ๐ธ
I do plan on watching it, Frank! I'm sure I will learn a lot from it.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Tim ๐ผ
Looking forward to it!
On an unrelated note, but regarding another Wolfgang, have you seen the video for the song Distance, by Mammoth WVH (Wolfgang Van Halen)? Even though it's over 3 years old, I saw it again yesterday and it brings tears to my eyes every time!
Just a little, FYI.
Tim ๐ผ
I didn't know that Mozart and I were born in the same month. Definitely a well talented musician that deserves respect in the music arena. This post gave me a great idea. I think I might go ahead and make a list of birthdays from musicians in different eras and turn them into a mini holiday where I just listened to nothing but their work. Maybe I can overlap mini holidays for different things that I'm passionate about in general. Don't mind my rambling haha, you've really got me thinking!
Hi Oriana
Thatโs a fabulous idea! Iโve been doing the โmini holidaysโ for years!
We celebrate all family events plus the birthdays of famous musicians, artists, and scientists.
So, we have at least two celebrations a week! Itโs all about enjoying life as much as possible. Lol
Work hard and play harder.
Great minds think alike! lol ๐
Frank ๐ค๐ธ
I was actually thinking the same thing while I was reading your profile. It sounds like we might have similar backgrounds and interests so to speak. I look forward exploring more of your content. Thanks again!
Mozart's the MAN, Frank!
Do you also remember that scene in Amadeus where Mozart plays Salieri's piece that he wrote for the emperor and improvises on the fly after only ONE hearing?
I don't believe he meant to insult Salieri but was genuinely treating it as a collaborative moment between two musicians, and really enjoyed it - by his infectious laughter.
Still, you could see the range of emotions on Salieri's face, from admiration, amazement, to frustration and a little jealousy - which is why he deserved the Oscar. I believe Tom Hulce received a nomination as well.
I've always leaned more heavily towards his symphonies and concertos. I've heard the Marriage of Figaro and plan on giving more of his operas a serious listen.
Appreciate the post! ๐ธ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Isaiah ๐
In A. Adler psychology books he describes that habitual laughter as a clear symptom of inferiority complex. So I wonder if the movie director knew this and if this was based on facts. I was concerned about Mozart's real mental state when I heard that ridiculous laughter in the movie which is in many ways a masterpiece.
That's very interesting, because I have heard different views and studies suggesting that he may have struggled with ADHD throughout his life. I don't know if one is related to the other.
It made me wonder was there something there mentally - particularly with him being a musical genius.
From how he was presented in the movie it may look indeed like ADHD. It may also be that the laughter is as described by Adler, perhaps due to his father's negative influence, I am not an expert, just an admirer. As you rightly say, he was a genius, therefore definitely not "normal".
Hi Isaiah
Yeah thatโs a great part! I watched the movie again today!
You can easily spend hundreds of hours enjoying all the great opera thatโs available.๐
Rock On! ๐ค
Frank ๐ธ
Mozart who?? ๐คฃ๐คฃ
I bet he could Rock it with any modern day instrument we have on hand Frank!
Happy birthday Wolfgang and your music will NEVER be forgotten!!
๐๐ป
Haha, youโre at it again, Nick, but it wonโt work twice! Lol ๐
Yeah, thereโs nobody today who could compete with the classical masters.
Rock On! ๐ค
Frank ๐ธ
Didn't think it would Frank, but one has to try nonetheless!!
Rock On!
๐๐๐คฃ๐ป๐ธ
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This reminded me of our stay in Austria, and I believe we stayed in the place where he used to live. They made his house a hotel (not a typical one) and is run by nuns/priests. In the entrance, it say, "The house where Mozart lived"
I love his music! I am a life long fan!
Cheers,
Maria๐น
Thatโs awesome, Maria! ๐๐
I would love to stay where he lived!๐
Frank ๐ธ
Took the pictures of the doors of Mozartโs home, as it is so unique!
Wow, That's amazing, Maria! ๐๐
You could probably feel the musical energy there, even after all these years! ๐๐ถ
Rock On ๐ค
Frank ๐ธ