Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) is one of the most famous classical composers of all time. Mozart has generated approximately 600 compositions, ranging from simple piano pieces to intricate symphonies. The music of Mozart is often compared to another classical music composer, Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) because both composers were influential enough to send an impact on the state of music composition during that century. At the period of time, the musical styles were generally of the Baroque period and the influence of Mozart’s compositions thus generated a whole new style which we now refer to as classical (Rosen 15).
The most popular works of Mozart are the chamber music compositions, such as pieces customized for a quartet of string instruments, or a quintet of string instruments. Another similarly popular genre of musical compositions that Mozart created is the piano sonata and of which he can be singly identified as the creator of such musical format. Mozart was very talented that he was able to create entirely different categories of classical music. The solo concerto was also made popular by Mozart’s compositions. On the other extreme, Mozart also wrote a number of musical pieces that were designed to cater to religious purposes such as chants and masses. Another genre to which Mozart was also prolific in his compositions was the serenades and dances.
Mozart and his music are strongly associated with the classical era because it presents clarity in the workmanship of his compositions. In addition, his compositions also featured balance in his harmony and tempo. There was also transparency in Mozart’s work, reflecting simple tones and emotions that are simply understood by any listener. Among Mozart’s works, the Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor has been given extensive and worldwide acclaim, mostly due to its fine composition and musicality. Another famous work is Symphony No. 40 in G minor which is commonly included in concerts around the world. Music analysts have described that Mozart had the capability of emanating sensuality in his composition, as well as violence, should he feel the need to include such emotion.
Another hallmark of Mozart’s music is the feeling of pain and suffering, through his use of the violin running through notes that sound melancholy to the listener. His compositions often include a single violin playing amidst the soft background music of the rest of the instruments of the orchestra, resulting in a feeling of sadness and affliction. On the other hand, Mozart was also capable of including portions of shocking tunes in certain musical compositions. Such aim of inflicting a feeling of sensuality was very easy for Mozart because he simply employs explosive sounds and notes in the compositions.
It has been determined that Mozart had an inherent talent for playing a string of tunes as soon as he has heard it. In addition, his exposure to different places during his numerous travels has enhanced his creativity in composing his own type of music. It has been documented that when Mozart was in his younger years, he had the opportunity to meet the composer Johann Christian Bach (1735 – 1782) and appreciate this composer’s music. His travels to France and Italy also provided him additional insights into the types of musical compositions during that time and place (Halliwell 45). These countries exposed him to the gallant musical style, which generally involved a cadence that is mixed with a sense of dominance and emphasis. Such musical style served as primer unto which Mozart created the classical category of compositions.
Music analysts have also suggested that Mozart created the classical style of compositions as a response to the intricacy of the pre-existing Baroque style of music. There are actually certain portions of Mozart’s earlier work that are characterized by movements that occur at overlapping sections of a single composition. In other cases, Mozart’s work shows a couple of movements that follow a single key, yet the only difference is in the tempo, wherein the composition starts as fast and the second part is slow, and finally ends with another fast section. This type of musical composition is called homotonal, and such form is commonly set in the minor key.
Mozart’s life is also characterized by phases, wherein he would compose operas at one phase and then focus on instrumental compositions (Steptoe 52). Amongst his operas, one of the most famous works is The Marriage of Figaro, which is often presented in operas to date. As Mozart grew older, he also included modifications in the instruments that should be used in the compositions. In addition, he also incorporated the use of tone to change the mood of composition and he was very successful in this action because the listener can be transported to different emotional states based on simple listening to the composition as it is being played.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a very interesting composer because he has lived a very unique life which was composed of both good and unfortunate incidents. His success as a composer did not occur in a simple path because he also experienced failure during his struggle for his own musical style. Such personal experiences can thus be observed in the different moods that can be observed in his compositions.
Works Cited
Halliwell, R. The Mozart Family: Four Lives in a Social Context. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Rosen, C. The Classical Style: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1998.
Steptoe, A. The Mozart—da Ponte Operas. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990.