A Closer Look Into the Works of Wolfgang A. Mozart Essay

A Closer Look Into the Works of Wolfgang A. Mozart - Essay Example In all of Mozart's supreme expressions of suffering and terror, there is something shockingly voluptuous."Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is considered one of the musical genius who produced various masterpieces during the classical period. Being a prolific composer during his life, he has composed a wide array of musical masterpieces which are widely acknowledged as "pinnacles of symphonic, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music. These output became closely identified as parts of the standard concert repertory and are regarded as "masterpieces of the classical style (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1)."Mozart was born in the city of Salzburg to Leopold and Anna Maria Pertl Mozart. When he was about three years old, Mozart's father noticed his unique musical ability.Through his father, one of Europe's leading musical teachers that time, Mozart received his intensive musical training. His father taught him to play the clavier, violin and organ. This began the famous composers' musical career wher e his formative years were spent in successful journeys throughout Europe--beginning with an exhibition in 1762 at the Court of the Elector of Bavaria in Munich and another at Imperial Court in Vienna during the same year. Afterwhich a long concert tour spanning three and a half years followed, taking him with his father to the courts of Munich, Mannheim, Paris, London, The Hague, again to Paris, and back home via Zrich, Donaueschingen, and Munich. However, they went back to Vienna during 1767 (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 2-6). It was in Vienna where Mozart encountered huge successes in opera. This paper will further examine the musical style utilized by Mozart in his famous compositions. As his works are generally classified as "classical masterpieces" a good starting point will be a general description of the characteristics of classical music. The next part will then tackle his works and musical style as well as Morton's characterization of the "Mozart's Musical Trademark." Social factors and other composers styles and influences which are incorporated in his works will also be examined. This report will conclude with its findings. Mozart Musical Style: Archetypal Example of Classical Style The musical style of Mozart, like that of the other Austrian composer Haydn, are considered as "archetypal example of the classical style." Accordingly, the classical period is characterized by the proliferation of music which generally has gradual and sudden contrast in mood, flexible rhythm, homophonic texture, and folkish melody. The type of music during this period can also be identified as having a more orderly and symmetric musical design compared to other eras. It should also be noted that the classical period marked the rise of amateur musicianas the the popularity of piano over the hapsichord. Accordingly, the musical style of Mozart closely paralleled the development of the classical music as a whole. This musical style was applied to his compositions which spans almost all musical genre including symphony, opera, the solo concerto, chamber music which includes string quartet and string quintet, and the piano sonata. While none of the aforementioned genre are new during his period, Mozart is regarded as having single-handedly developed and popularized the solo concerto. The composer is also famous among religious sects as he composed a great deal of religious music known as masses. His versatility as a composer also enabled him to venture into other musical forms like dances, divertimenti, serenades and other forms of light entertainment (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 23-24). Mozart's compositions greatly embody the