Sharing the life of Mozart, one of the most influential and prominent musicians in history, with children is an excellent way to improve their knowledge of culture from an early age. However, it is also a good opportunity to pass on some positive values ​​and teach them the importance of effort and perseverance. In Stage Children we tell you the life of this famous composer and pianist in a simple and easy to understand way so that you can share it with the little ones at home.

The Childhood of a Genius: Mozart’s Early Years

Mozart, whose full name was Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was born on January 27, 1756 into a family of musicians in Salzburg, now Austria. He was the seventh son of Anna Maria Mozart and Leopold Mozart, a composer in the service of the court. From an early age, little Mozart accompanied his father to his rehearsals and thus his interest in music arose. In fact, when he was only three years old, he discovered the piano and began to play the first musical pieces.

At the age of four, during a musical rehearsal of his father, he was able to play the second violin for the first time and without having tried it before. This is how he learned to play only the harpsichord and the violin, as well as to read music. He had a prodigious memory for his age and a great ability to improvise musical phrases. At just five years old, Mozart was already composing musical works and his interpretations captivated the European aristocracy and royalty.

His father, aware of his son’s precocious ability, abandoned his musical career to devote himself exclusively to Mozart’s training. He first instructed him in the art of violin and piano, but noticing his incredible compositional skills, he began teaching him to compose as well. Thus, at the age of six, Mozart composed a minuet and a trio for piano, which would later become number 1 in the Köchel catalogue.

Shortly after, his father realized that Salzburg was not enough for the musical development of little Mozart and he took on the task of touring Europe. After a first tour of the main imperial courts of Europe, where they visited Munich, Vienna, Paris, London and Amsterdam, they set out for Italy so that Mozart could learn the art of writing operas. It was a very enriching time, full of concerts and meetings with great European aristocracy.

And Mozart, with a great eagerness to learn and aware of the enormous opportunity that lay before him, knew how to take advantage of all these experiences. By the age of eight he had already composed his first symphony and by the age of 12 his first opera: “La finta semplice” or “La false ingenua”.

Mozart Grows Old: The Consolidation of a Genius

In 1773, after years of traveling through various European cities, Mozart and his father finally returned to Salzburg. Upon his return, Mozart began working as a concertmaster and explored a diverse range of musical genres, from symphonies, sonatas, and string quartets to serenades, sacred music, and some minor operas. A few years later he began to focus on concertos for piano and orchestra, composing a total of 27 concertos, among them the famous “Piano Concerto No. 9, in E flat major”.

Despite his musical successes, Mozart was not comfortable in his hometown and decided to take flight. After traveling through Paris and Munich, he went to Vienna where his career got a new start. In the city he performed as a pianist and soon became the best keyboard player in Vienna. At this time he also established himself as a composer and finished his opera “El rapto en el seraglio”, which quickly became his greatest theatrical success.

It was in Vienna that Mozart met his future wife Constanze, with whom he had 6 children. Being an opera singer, Constanze shared with Mozart her passion for music, so in addition to furthering her career as a soprano, she also supported her husband and encouraged him to compose. This was a glorious time for Mozart’s career, not only did he give free rein to his inspiration, but also organized many concerts and performances that allowed him to lead a comfortable lifestyle.

After the death of his father in 1787, Mozart became the chamber composer of Emperor Joseph II and although he did not earn much, the couple and their children continued to enjoy a comfortable life. However, after the beginning of the war between Austria and Turkey, a dark time began with economic needs that led Mozart to travel through Europe in search of new opportunities.

In all this time Mozart continued to compose and found help in wealthy patrons who promised help. At this time he wrote the well-known cantata “Little Masonic Cantata KV 623” and gave one of his last concerts, “Piano Concerto No. 27”. Shortly after, Mozart fell seriously ill and, although his creative spirit enabled him to continue composing until his last breath, he died on December 5, 1791, at the age of 35.

Mozart’s legacy

Mozart’s work was cataloged in 1862 by the writer and composer Ludwig von Köchel. The catalog includes 626 musical works coded from number 1 to 626, preceded by the suffix KV. His symphonic and instrumental production includes 41 symphonies, among which “Haffner”, “Linz” and “Prague” stand out, as well as several concertos, piano sonatas, chamber music and adagios. His symphonic cycle concludes with a trilogy of masterpieces: “No. 39 in E b major”, “No. 40 in G minor” and “No. 41 in C major”.

He also wrote 61 divertimentos, serenades and marches and 22 operas , among which the first great German comic opera “The Marriage of Figaro”, “Don Giovanni” and “The Magic Flute” stand out. He also composed religious music and beautiful concert songs and arias like “Popoli di Tessaglia… Io non chiedo, eterni dei KV 316” and “Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio! KV 418”.

Mozart for children, by Carmen Gil

This is the story of a genius
who in the past millennium
made the sun shine with his do re mi fa sol.

Mozart was a tender baby
who came into the world in winter
and who was there tells
that instead of crying, he sang.

While the children next door
played at being soldiers
with tiny swords,
he waved the baton.

When he was six years old, the pispajo
was already going up and down
playing, what a hustle and bustle!,
the piano and the violin.

The success was resounding:
everyone applauded him!
and he left open-mouthed whoever
heard his concert.

Amadeus was small,
very funny and long-nosed, he
learned very quickly
and everything made him laugh!

Nannerl called
the cheerful and mocking boy a jester:
“This little brother amazes me: he
even laughs at his shadow!”

As the concert boy
was a joker and a joker, he
played with his nose:
he was so happy playing!

In addition to being very nice, he
was a great mathematician,
a very bright child
with an elephant’s memory.

At the age of eight,
although it may seem strange to us, Mozart composed his first symphony
one fine day .

Inside her cocorota
hundreds of notes danced
and all of them formed
the most beautiful melodies.

He was already serenading himself
with his operas, sonatas,
symphonies and quartets: he
was a complete artist!
After many wanderings
he fell in love with Constanza.

Together they spent their lives,
poor, but fun.

Amadeus masterfully
composed night and day,
excellent music
that fascinated people.

His musical existence
had a dark end,
because he died in a strange way
at the age of thirty-five.

Although Mozart, in his own way,
never really left;
he is here and fills everything
when his music plays.

His music, what a delight!,
pampers, envelops and caresses,
sneaks straight to the center
and tickles inside.