Posts Tagged ‘mozart’

Mozart Trivia

Saturday, December 27th, 2008

Mozart is a renowned musician but how well do you know him? Answer these trivia questions to get to know him better!

  1. At what age was Mozart presented  as an artist in the imperial court in Vienna?
    a. four years old
    b. six years old
    c. eight years old
    d. ten years old
  2. What was the name of Mozart’s sister?
    a. Nannette
    b. Nannerl
    c. Bernadett
    d. Bernice
  3. What did Mozart like to play, as he composed symphonies?
    a. Chess
    b. Poker
    c. Billard
    d. Tennis
  4. What was the first opera by Mozart?
    a. Mitridate
    b. Bastien und Bastienne
    c. Idomeneo
    d. The Marriage of Figaro
  5. Mozart’s Figaro is based on a piece of this dramatist?
    a. Dumas
    b. Ducange
    c. Beaumarchais
    d. Becque
  6. Mozart didicated six string quartets to what composer?
    a. Bach
    b. Beethoven
    c. Haydn
    d. Gluck
  7. What was the name of the wife of Mozart?
    a. Armand
    b. Constanze
    c. Maria
    d. Reigen
  8. Who did mozart succeeded as chamber musician and court composer to Joseph II?
    a. Da Ponte
    b. Gluck
    c. Schubert
    d. Brahms
  9. What was Mozart’s last opera?
    a. The Marriage of Figar
    b. Don Giovanni
    c. Cosi fan tutte
    d. The Magic Flute
  10. Who completed  Mozart Requiem, which remained unfinished at the time of his death?
    a. Freystadtler
    b. Stadler
    c. Süssmayr
    d. Salieri

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on 27 January 1756 in Salzburg. He was the seventh child of Leopold, a violinist and composer, and Anna Maria. The couple had 7 children, but only two survived, the fourth child, Maria Anna Walburga Ignatia, and the seventh child, Wolfgang Amadeus.

Mozart is one of the most important composers in history. He worked as Kapellmeister to the Archbishop of Salzburg. In 1781, he requested release from his duties and started working freelance. He wrote concertos, operas, oratorios, quartets, symphonies and chamber, vocal and choral music. He has written over 600 compositions.

Mozart’s father was a huge influence on the budding musician. At the age of 3 years Wolfgang was already playing the piano and a perfect height. By the age of 5, Mozart was already a small allegro (K. 1b) and andante (K. 1a). At 6 years old, was taken by Wolfgang Leopold with his sister, Anna Maria, who was also a music prodigy, touring Europe. The young musicians performed at various locations, as in the royal courts where queens, emperors and other guests were present.

Mozart’s popularity grew, and soon they moved  in France, England and Germany. Traveling Wolfgang met other composers who would later influence his compositions. He met and befriended Haydn. At 14, he wrote his first opera Mitridate re di Ponto, which has been well received. In his late teens Wolfgang’s popularity declined and he was forced to accept jobs that do not pay well.

His works include “Mass Commotion”, “Sinfonia Concertante” (for violin, viola and orchestra), operas such as “Idomeneo,” “The Abduction from the Seraglio, Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro”, “Cosi fan tutte “and” The Magic Flute. “

Mozart was a talented musician. His music has simple melodies but rich in orchestration.

On 5 December, 1791 in Vienna, he died after writing “The Magic Flute”, Wolfgang became ill. He died early in the morning of December 5, at the age of 36 years. Some researchers say it was because of kidney failure.