There is a reason why Mozart is universally loved worldwide – his music is beautiful perfection, it touches the soul and uplifts our spirits and minds. George Bernard Shaw said that “When God listens to music, he listens to Mozart.”
I grew up listening to Mozart and have a bond with his music. It never disappoints, it is fresh and always new, never gets old. Like Bach who he revered, Mozart’s music is innovative and revolutionary, it transformed music as a whole.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1796), Austria, is regarded as an original genius and one of the greatest composers in history. He is admired for his genius of melodic beauty, its formal elegance, and the richness of harmony, color, and texture, and expressive nuance. His work is grand, dramatic, thrilling, bold, innovative, and considered the pinnacle of musical composition. He was highly influenced by the music of Bach, Handel, and Haydn. His work had a major influence on Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Mendelsohhn, Liszt, Brahms, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and most other composers.
Mozart was born into a musical family in Salzburg, Austria where he became a celebrated child prodigy competent on piano and violin at age five. His father toured him to perform before the royal courts of Europe. At 17 he was a musician at the Salzburg court though he traveled to Paris, Mannheim, and Munich seeking better work.
In 1781 Mozart settled in Vienna, Austria where he achieved fame but little financial security. In Vienna from 1781 until his death in 1791 he produced volumes of some of the greatest music ever composed – sonatas, concertos, operas, symphonies, quartets, etc. In 1782 and 1783 he discovered the works of J.S. Bach and George F. Handel that had a profound impact on his music. He met Joseph Haydn in 1784 and they became close friends. Austrian Emperor Joseph II employed Mozart at the Viennese court in 1787.
Requiem Mass in D Minor K. 626, Lacrimosa Movement
Awe inspiring, the Requiem transcends to the beyond and touches the Divine. It delves deep into that part of the soul where we are most vulnerable. One of the greatest works in the history of music – powerful and triumphant. The whole mass is beautiful, it was composed in 1791 on Mozart’s death-bed where he poured his soul into the work before his creator. It was played at President John F. Kennedy’s funeral. The Lacrimosa Movement is hauntingly beautiful, tender, and breathtaking.
Claudio Abbado conducts the Lucerne Festival Orchestra.
“Elvira Madigan”, Piano Concerto No. 21, in C Major, K. 467, Andante Second Movement
Solo piano and orchestra composed in 1785. A dreamlike melody that has breathtaking beauty, tender, graceful, and elegant with a subtle drama, simply perfect. Tragic in tone and intensely emotional. One of Mozart’s most greatly admired works.
The serene and lyrical second movement (Andante) glows with gentle, floating melodies, it was the theme song for the 1967 Swedish movie Elvira Madigan Often celebrated as one of Mozart’s most beautiful slow movements, it balances warmth and grace—evoking bittersweet longing and elegance.
Played by Alfred Brendel.
Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550
Composed in 1788, it is one of Mozart’s most admired works frequently performed. It has a wonderful melody with a tragic tone and is intensely emotional and passionate There is a tension between the graceful melody and the dynamic boldness of the orchestration. The second movement is tender and playful; the third movement is dynamic and thrilling.
Conducted by Leonard Bernstein with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622
Mozart’s last completed work. Regarded as the greatest clarinet concerto. It is very popular, thrilling, and enjoyable. Its flowing lyricism, glowing orchestration, and moving slow movement (Adagio) highlight the expressive versatility of the instrument. The work was composed in 1791.
Jochen Tschabrun plays the concerto with the Frankfort Radio Orchestra.
Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in E-flat Major, K364
Mozart’s exploration in the concertante genre, a cross between orchestra and concerto. A duet with violin and viola in expressive dialogue. Very popular, majestic, dynamic, and enjoyable, it’s considered one of Mozart’s finest orchestral achievements. The work was composed in 1779. The theme has been used in many films.
Played by Julia Fischer on violin and Nils Monkemeyer on viola with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Piano Sonata No 11 A major, 3rd Movement, Rondo Alla Turca (Turkish March), K 331
A three-movement sonata famed for its Turkish-inspired finale (“Alla turca,” or “Turkish March”). The first movement is a theme with variations, the second a graceful minuet, and the third sparkling with lively, percussive rhythms. Composed around 1783, it exemplifies Mozart’s melodic invention and playful spirit.
Played by Yundi.
Piano Sonata No. 16, in C Major, K. 545
A very popular, delightful, and elegant work with a beautiful melody. The first movement is thrilling, the second movement is tender, and the ending is delightful and playful. Composed in 1788.
Sonata played by Maria Joao Pires.
Eine Kleine Nachtmusick, Serenade No. 13, G major, K525
Considered Mozart’s most popular work, light, happy, fun, enjoyable, pastoral, and very beautiful. A light chamber ensemble serenade composed in 1787. Translated the title means “A Little Night Music.”
Played by the McGill Symphony Orchestra.
Piano Concerto No. 23, Second Movement
Very popular work that is very tender, reflective, and beautiful. Completed in 1786, this concerto features limpid melodies and subtle orchestral colors. Especially notable is the introspective Adagio (second movement), which stands out for its expressive melancholy, while the outer movements are radiant and upbeat.
Played by Helene Grimaud n the Bavarian Chamber Orchestra.
Violin Concerto No. 5, A Major, K219
The last and most celebrated of Mozart’s violin concertos, this work blends playful wit with virtuosic flare. Its third movement includes a striking “Turkish” episode—syncopated, percussive, and exotic—while the concerto as a whole is a staple of the repertoire for its expressiveness and technical demands.
Played by Julia Fischer and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Symphony No. 41, C Major, K551 (“Jupiter”)
Mozart’s final symphony, completed just weeks after No. 40, is monumental in scale and mastery. The finale is especially renowned for its ingenious five-theme counterpoint, showcasing Mozart’s contrapuntal brilliance and celebratory spirit.
Played by the Emanuel Bach Chamber Orchestra.
References
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