Introduction to Classical Music

Lecture: Introduction to Classical Music W. A. Mozart. 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a child prodigy who played the violin, harpsichord and organ and composed high-quality works at a very young age. His inspiration is often described as ‘divine’, but he also aspired to become a great composer, conductor, pianist, organist and violinist. His music includes operas, choral works, symphonies, concertos and chamber music, including a staggering number of immortal masterpieces. 

Mozart was born Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart. His father Leopold was an ambitious composer and violinist. As a three-year-old, Mozart could already memorise simple keyboard pieces in half an hour, and he composed his first opera when he was only 11 years old. A year later, he was already commissioned by Emperor Joseph II.

Miserere by Allegri
From 1769, Mozart went on a tour of Italy and France with his father. In the Sistine Chapel in Rome, he heard Allegri's famous nine-voice ‘Miserere’. The then 14-year-old Mozart reconstructed the work from memory. For this, he received compliments and a prestigious award from the Pope. Mozart found shelter with the Weber family here. For the family's second daughter, the singer Constanze, Mozart developed feelings. Those feelings were mutual. Leopold did not approve of the relationship, but Mozart did not care and married Constanze Weber in August 1782. They had six children, only two of whom reached adulthood. 

Miraculous masterpieces
In the last years of his life, Mozart composed the most prodigious masterpieces, such as Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Die Zauberflöte, Requiem, Ave Verum, Symphony No.40 and the Clarinet Concerto. In 1790, his health deteriorated. He was tormented by depression and delusions. Nevertheless, he accepted the commission to write a Requiem, though unfortunately he did not live long enough to complete this work. He died 5 December 1791, in Vienna, aged just 35.

Lecture
Mozart's famous works discussed and listened to in depth. Boudewijn Hopman, violinist, will take you into the world of Wolfgang Amadeus in a musical lecture, supported by various musical interludes. Attention this afternoon to: Ave Verum, Violin Concerto No. 5 part 2, Tone figures from the Mannheimer Schule and Mozart's applications of these in: Salzburg Symphony No. 33 part 4, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Requiem (Dies Irae and Lacrimosa). As a highlight, the first movement from the magical Symphony No 40.

The lecture is at the Ontmoetingscentrum in Beek en Donk.  You can register via the e-mail address.