WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
AMADEUS IN 1764
PERSONA
Influences
At the XVIIIth century, music was propagated at the speed of horse drawn carriages. And still was it necessary to attend a concert or to interpret a composition to know it. Mozart could – thanks to his travels and efforts – control several musical techniques and styles from which he created the classical style.
Among musicians met during his stay in Paris, Johann Schobert – a German harpsichordist – would have been a source of inspiration for Wolfgang. His first work of engraved Sonatas, presented in February to Louis XV's daughter – Mrs Victoire – would be a follow-up to their meeting.
In England, at the request of the king, he interpreted compositions of Wagenseil, Bach, Abel, and Haendel. He also met there the famous castrati Tenducci, and Manzuoli. The latter introduced him to Italian aria and art of Bel Canto.
“Johann Christian Bach – the queen's professor – put the little Mozart on his knees and played some chords, then the child continued, and thus, playing in turn, they played a whole sonata with a marvellous precision.”
Nissen
SOCIETÀ
War Consequences
“... here the disastrous consequences of war are visible everywhere. It is quite obvious. The lords are crippled with debts; approximately a hundred people share large fortunes: they are some big bankers and some general farmers. Most part of this money goes to Lucrece family who does not stab themselves [... ]
You would not easily find a place that is as much packed with paupers and cripples as Paris. Hardly did you enter a church, hardly did you take some steps in the street, that a blind man, a paralytic, a man in rags or a lame come towards you, holding out the hand – or you may walk on a poor wretch whose hand has been devoured by pigs when he was a child. There are many people of that kind and I am disgusted by it...”
Leopold Mozart
IN DIRETTA
London Notebook
Start the media unit below to hear a short sonata composed in England during the winter months of 1764-1765. This work is part of a collection of compositions entitled "London Notebook" – all identified K.15x where x stands for a, b, c, d... The current piece is the Andante in G Minor – K.15r – and reflects the Bach's youngest son – Johann Christian – influence (opposite). At London, he improvised with Mozart on the harpsichord...
KOECHEL
Sonates
Inventing the music at eight years old or the art of sonata.
At the XVIIIth century, musicians acquired sheets of music and played them on their instruments. Indeed, several noblemen practised music. Mozart composed his first sonatas for French noblemen.
| K.6 | Sonata No 1 in C Major |
| K.7 | Sonata No 2 in D Major |
| K.8 | Sonata No 3 in B flat Major |
| K.9 | Sonata No 4 in G major |
| K.10 | Sonata No 5 in B flat Major |
| K.11 | Sonata No 6 in G Major |
| K.12 | Sonata No 7 in A Major |
| K.13 | Sonata No 8 in F Major |
| K.14 | Sonata No 9 in C Major |
| K.15 | Sonata No 10 in B flat Major |
| K.17 | Symphony No 2 in B flat Major |
Glossaryexpressions and names used in this page
- Bach (Johann Sebastian)
- (1685-1750) German composer and organist who composed religious, vocal, and instrumental music. Johann Sebastian Bach Bach was a master in the art of counterpoint et of choral.
- Historical context
- In one decade, Louis XVI will reign in France, and in twenty-four years, French revolutionists will change the face of their own country. Leopold Mozart's testimony brings a light on the first stages of these events.
- Nissen
- Georg-Nikolaus von Nissen was Mozart's widow second husband. He wrote a biography of Mozart.
See in diretta section for detail about this quotation. - Paris
- Political, cultural and tourist capital of France. Its name comes from the “Parisii” tribe who lived there in IIIrd century. In 1789, Paris was confronted with the Revolution – which overthrown monarchy to the profit of a democratic system.