There are those who rise to the peak of their specific craft, to which all other people aspire to climb, but few ever come close. For classical music, such is the case with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the child prodigy who would one day become known as the greatest classical musician of all time.
Born on January 27, 1756, Mozart would complete 600 compositions that are recognized as the pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic and choral music. He is the most popular of all classical composers and most of his works are standard concert pieces.
The love of music for Mozart would begin when his sister was seven and he, at three-years-old, would watch with fascination as she was given piano lessons. When he was four-years-old, his father began teaching him how to play the piano. In seemingly no time at all, he could play the piano flawlessly, and by the age of five he was composing small piano pieces.
By the time Mozart was seven, the family was traveling Europe to show off the musical prodigy at courts across the land. One concert tour for the family stretched for three and a half years, from Munich to Paris. During the trip, he met Johann Christian Bach in 1765, which proved to be a large influence on him.
Mozart's skills showed through during those years. Once, while hearing Miserere in the Sistine Chapel, he wrote it down entirely from memory, producing the first illegal copy of a closely-guarded piece of music of the Vatican.When he was 14, he wrote his first opera which met a great deal of success, with two more operas following when he was 15 and 16.
Throughout the years, until his premature death in 1791, Mozart was a highly influential figure in the world of music. What many consider to be the second greatest composer of all time, Ludwig Van Beethoven, was strongly influenced by him, becoming closely acquainted with Mozart's work as a teenager.
Throughout history, since his death, Mozart has had his music performed by countless individuals, all of whom cite him as a supreme influence on their body of work. Arguably one of the greatest musicians of all time, Mozart transcended beyond just being a performer and legend, becoming a mythical person, whose mind seemed to touch on a musical part of the world the rest of us could not see.
Much of his music is still played today. The instruments are similar but not the same. They are much more in tune and much more expensive. There are music instrument makers that still make instruments like those that were used in Mozart's time. However, for clarity, intonation and sound, the more modern instruments whether new or used are superior to those used hundreds of years ago.
The music of Mozart is played in symphonies, quartets and small ensembles. They are still favored during the holidays and are often played at weddings and receptions. While the instruments may have changed and improved over time, Mozart's compositions remain beautiful and timeless.
This is an astonishing collection of works - or parts of works - by Mozart that covers almost every aspect of his creative output: symphonic, religious music, concerti (for piano, horn, violin, clarinet, flute), chamber music, serenades (for strings; winds), a couple of opera overtures and more...
Every track on this CD contains a beautiful melody, many of them easily recognizable, all of them exuding tranquility. "O mio babbino caro" from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi opens the disc, with Bell delicately accompanied by a harp and spinning the long melody with great sensitivity...
These performances by the London Philharmonic are presented for the first time in stunning six-channel surround sound include works by Mozart, Borodin, Haydn and Faure. Special Features include: -Beautiful presentation of Program Notes and photographic stills -Plays on ALL DVD players -Supports Dolby Digital and DTS 5...
Austrian composers are spotlighted in these performances by the London Symphony presented for the first time in stunning six-channel surround sound. This volume includes works by Mozart, Haydn and Schubert...
Fine edition contains all eight piano trios, the two piano quartets and the piano quintet, reprinted from the definitive Breitkopf & Härtel editions. All of these works display the melodic richness, inventiveness and inimitable grace that characterize Mozartâs finest compositions...
Sorry, that woeful slice of alliteration just came to me on the spur of the moment and I couldn't resist. But seriously...
I'm a fan of classical music, but my knowledge of this one particular area has remained fairly poor. Other than Schubert's 'trout' quintet, Mozart's piano quartet in G minor, Dvorak's piano quintet and the 'American' srting quartet, I haven't really heard much else. I'm particularly interested in exploring Mozart and Haydn, but as usual with those two, it's almost impossible to know where to start. Can anyone make any suggestions? (Please don't say Borodin or I'll be forced to cut out your heart and eat it)
Haydn wrote numerous quartets (16-18 I think)
I've played No. 13 and I really enjoyed it.
here are some of my favorite quartets:
Shostakovich-8th Quartet
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nfzhU7m7gHA
Smetana-"From My Life"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2OMFHgVWQas
Beethoven-Quartet No. 1
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KKFzy7tEXu4
Elgar-Quartet in Em
no vid
Haydn-Quartet No. 13
no vid
Ravel-(Only quartet)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5xvwPMuCZEU
Piazzolla-Libertango
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wAS7Cndl-Mk
I also like
The Dumky Trio by Dvorak
Trio Op. 67(?) by Shostakovich
Double Concerto for Cello and Violin by Brahms
hope these suggestions are what you are looking for.
