28 Quotes & Sayings By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (January 27, 1756 – December 5, 1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic and operatic musical composition. His influence during his lifetime was widespread across several genres of music, including chamber, vocal, orchestral, and instrumental music. Born in Salzburg in 1756, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the oldest of seven children of Leopold Mozart and his wife Anna Maria Pertl. His father had died when he was five years old Read more

At age seven, Wolfgang began receiving violin instruction from his uncle Johann Ernst Icker. At age 11 he began composing minuets, which he practiced incessantly. At age 13 Mozart wrote his first symphony, which was performed at the court of Count Leopold von Firmian in Prague on December 8, 1770. At age 14 Mozart moved with his family to Vienna where he became one of the most celebrated musicians in Europe.

When he was twenty-one years old, he married Constanze Weber who was many years younger than him. They had six children together who survived to adulthood: Nannerl (1778–1842), Josefa (1781–1844), Karl (1783–1842), Ferdinand (1787–1848), Maria Anna (1790–1839) and Heinrich Xaver Wolfgang (1793–1843). A few months later Mozart became ill with what has been described as either rheumatic fever or syphilis; it may have been both diseases combined or some other infection. He survived this illness but then went through an extensive period of physical decline during which time his wife cared for him devotedly; she is often referred to as "the faithful spouse" since she nursed him until his death thirty-three years later at age 37. Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1738–1782) was born in Vienna on May 25, 1738 to Johann Biber and Magdalena Schenk née Dussler.

As a young man Biber studied violin under Georg Christoph Wagenseil in Vienna before moving on to study with Georg Friedrich Haas in Mannheim in Germany in 1757. He went on to study composition with Georg Philip Telemann at the University of Mannheim from 1759-

Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both...
1
Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Stay with me to-night; you must see me die. I...
2
Stay with me to-night; you must see me die. I have long had the taste of death on my tongue, I smell death, and who will stand by my Constanze, if you do not stay? Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
3
As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence, I have formed during the last few years such close relationships with this best and truest friend of mankind that death's image is not only no longer terrifying to me, but is indeed very soothing and consoling. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
4
All I insist on, and nothing else, is that you should show the whole world that you are not afraid. Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak–and speak in such a way that people will remember it. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
To talk well and eloquently is a very great art,...
5
To talk well and eloquently is a very great art, but that an equally great one is to know the right moment to stop. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
6
It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and diligently studied. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
7
The only thing-- I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with those people--and that music does not have a better reputation.. For I assure you, without travel, at least for people from the arts and sciences, one is a miserable creature! .. A man of mediocre talents always remains mediocre, may he travel or not--but a man of superior talents, which I cannot deny myself to have without being blasphemous, becomes--bad, if he always stays in the same place. If the archbishop would trust me, I would soon make his music famous; that is surely true. . Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
8
The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
9
When I am ..... completely myself, entirely alone... or during the night when I cannot sleep, it is on such occasions that my ideas flow best and most abundantly. Whence and how these ideas come I know not nor can I force them. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
10
Melody is the essence of music. I compare a good melodist to a fine racer, and counterpointists to hack post-horses; therefore be advised, let well alone and remember the old Italian proverb: Chi sa più, meno sa– Who knows most, knows least. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
11
What's even worse than a flute? - Two flutes! Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
12
If you would dance, my pretty Count, I'll play the tune on my little guitar.. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
13
You know that I immerse myself in music, so to speak– that I think about it all day long– that I like experimenting– studying– reflecting. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
14
I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
15
A man of ordinary talent will always be ordinary, whether he travels or not; but a man of superior talent will go to pieces if he remains forever in the same place. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
16
People err who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you, dear friend, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to compositions as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not industriously studied through many times. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
17
Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love love love that is the soul of genius. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
18
I write as a sow piddles. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
19
We live in this world in order always to learn industriously and to enlighten each other by means of discussion and to strive vigorously to promote the progress of science and the fine arts. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
20
I thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
21
Nevertheless the passions, whether violent or not, should never be so expressed as to reach the point of causing disgust; and music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
22
When I am traveling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep; it is on such occasions that ideas flow best and most abundantly. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
23
One must not make oneself cheap here - that is a cardinal point - or else one is done. Whoever is most impertinent has the best chance. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
24
I live in a country where music has very little success, though, exclusive of those who have forsaken us, we have still admirable professors and, more particularly, composers of great solidity, knowledge, and taste. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
25
It is a great consolation for me to remember that the Lord, to whom I had drawn near in humble and child-like faith, has suffered and died for me, and that He will look on me in love and compassion. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
26
How sad it is that these great gentlemen should believe what anyone tells them and do not choose to judge for themselves! But it is always so. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
27
I know nothing new except that Herr Gellert, the Leipzig poet, is dead, and has written no more poetry since his death. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart