The Influence of Mozart's Family and Social Background on His Musical Composition

The Influence of Mozart's Family and Social Background on His Musical Composition

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Introduction

Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, better known as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, in the small town of Salzburg, Austria. The infant grew into a child prodigy, who turned out to become one of the most admired composers of all time. With over six hundred works in his short lifetime, Mozart remains an icon. His growth as a composer did not just happen. He was a talented musician, something he discovered early in his life. Beyond his talent, Mozart was influenced by various things in his environment like people, events, places, and experiences. This essay explores how Mozart's family and social background influenced his musical composition.[Cooper, J. (1972). " Mozart", by Stanley Sadie (Book Review). Notes, 29(2), 251.]

Mozart’s family background

Mozart's father, Johann Georg Leopold Mozart, generally known as Leopold Mozart, played a critical role in shaping Mozart's musical development and career. When a majority of people talk about Mozart, they are most certainly referring to Wolfgang. The popularity of Mozart makes Leopold obscure in the music scene. Leopold was born in 1719 to a bookbinder parent. There was no significant composer in Leopold's family line. Leopold pursued music, while simultaneously getting an education in philosophy and law. Soon after graduation, Leopold pursued music and started making a living from it. Leopold had a vibrant career in music before getting children. For instance, Leopold wrote Opus 1, which consisted of Six Trio Sonatas for two violins and a bass. The publishing of the music earned him a position in the Count Thun at Salzburg. Due to his hard work, Leopold moved from the fourth violinist in the church to the second violinist. He also taught the choirboys, a skill that would later be instrumental in teaching his children music. In 1763, Leopold was promoted to the position of deputy Kapellmeister. Unfortunately, Leopold did not rise any further, as others were promoted over him to the head position of Kapellmeister. Scholars hold different views regarding Leopold's success. On the one hand, biographer Maynard Solomon indicates that Leopold failed to make a composer. Similarly, Alfred Einstein saw him as an undistinguished composer. On the contrary, other scholars assert that Leopold was successful as a pedagogue. For instance, in 1755, Leopold wrote a textbook for instruction in violin playing. The work made a reputation for Leopold in Europe and put his name in music dictionaries and other works in musical pedagogy.[Carp, L. "Mozart: his tragic life and controversial death." Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 46, no. 4 (1970): 267.]

While Mozart’s natural talent was critical in the development of his music career, he learned music from Leopold. After the publication of the textbook, it became apparent that Leopold’s career in music composition had hit its peak. Leopold no longer gave his lessons and started resenting life in Salzburg. Eventually, in 1762, he stopped composing and channeled his energy to his children Nannerl and Wolfgang. Leopold started giving keyboard lessons to Nannerl, who was seven years old at the time. Mozart, who was a toddler, started imitating his sister. Leopold shaped Mozart's music development and career in various ways. First, he taught the son how to play and compose. Mozart benefited from the opportunity to learn music early in his life, and from an accomplished music teacher, Leopold. Learning music from such an early age was critical in shaping Mozart's early personality. Moreover, Leopold proceeded to give Mozart exposure to audiences through various tours around Europe. By 1762, Nannerl and Mozart were ready to work as concert performers. Leopold took the children on extensive concert tours, where they performed for the aristocracy and public in central and western Europe. Leopold once referred to Mozart as the “miracle which God let to be born in Salzburg.” The recognition of the divide assignment must have motivated Leopold to invest more in Mozart, going beyond his responsibility as a father and teacher, to that of a missionary. Leopold's dedication to his children is captured in Nannerl’s claims that the father gave up his violin instruction and composition to pour himself into educating his two children.[Hertzmann, Erich. "Mozart's creative process." The Musical Quarterly 43, no. 2 (1957): 187-200.] [Cairns, David. Mozart and his operas. Univ of California Press, 2006.] [Eisen, Cliff. The symphonies of Leopold Mozart and their relationship to the early symphonies of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: a bibliographical and stylistic study. Cornell University, 1986.]

Furthermore, Leopold instilled a strong sense of morality, values, and work ethic in Mozart, qualities which would shape him throughout his life. However, instilling of these qualities came at a great price, leading to a strained relationship between Leopold and Mozart, which would remain unrepaired. For instance, during a visit to Vienna under the direction of Hieronymus Colloredo, the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Mozart was displeased by the treatment he received. In particular, he did not like the way Karl Joseph Arco, an assistant to Colloredo, treated him as a servant. Mozart's pride could not allow him to endure such a treatment. Mozart