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Mozart's Early Life and Career

Early Life and Travels

  • Long Journey: From June 9, 1763, to November 29, 1766, Mozart embarked on an extensive journey across Europe.
  • Travel Route: Salzburg - Munich - Augsburg - Mannheim - Frankfurt - Bonn - Brussels - London - Amsterdam - Paris - Dijon - Lyons - Geneva - Zurich - Salzburg.
  • Purpose & Impact: Though expensive, the journey publicized Wolfgang's talents and allowed him to play for royalty, exposing him to various countries' styles.

Early Compositions and Influences

  • Harpsichord: Wolfgang primarily played the harpsichord during this period.
  • First Symphony: He wrote his first symphony in the summer of 1764, reportedly out of boredom.
  • Piano Limitations: The piano was not yet suitable (according to Nannerl).
  • Contrasts: Mozart displayed a love for musical contrasts in his compositions.

Vienna and Italy

  • Vienna Trip (1767): A short trip to Vienna.
  • Violinist Job (1769): Mozart secured a violinist position for the Archbishop.
  • Italian Journeys (1769-1771): Milan, Bologna, Rome, Naples.
  • Further Italian Visits (1771): Verona, Venice, Milan, Rome.
  • Accademia Filarmonica: He was deemed too young for the Accademia Filarmonica in Bologna but still passed the composition test.

Abilities and Salzburg Service

  • Musical Memory: Mozart could hear a piece of music once and transcribe it perfectly.
  • Performance Example: He performed with musicians who had no score, demonstrating his ability to compose in his head.
  • Service in Salzburg: Mozart served in Salzburg.
  • Treatment: He disliked treating servants as inferiors.

Changes in Salzburg

  • Archbishop Schrattenbach's Death (1771): Allowed workers to travel.
  • Archbishop Colloredo (1772): Became the new Archbishop.
  • Concertmaster (1772): Mozart became the Concertmaster.
  • Resignation (1777): Mozart resigned from his Salzburg position.

Job Hunt and Mother's Death

  • Job Hunt (1777-1779): Mozart went on a job hunt with his mother.
  • Augsburg, Mannheim (1777): Seeking opportunities.
  • Mother's Death (1778): His mother died in Paris.

Return to Salzburg and Opera Commission

  • Return to Salzburg (1779): January.
  • Work for Colloredo (1779-1780): Mozart worked for Colloredo again.
  • Mannheim Connection: He loved Mannheim and maintained connections there.
  • Letters: Exchanged letters with friends, mother, and received advice.
  • Munich Commission (1780): Commission for the opera "Idomeneo."

Vienna and Freelance Career

  • Quitting in Vienna (1781): Mozart quit his job and stayed in Vienna as a freelancer.