Papa Haydn was a good and truly religious man. He leaves us an example of kindliness and thoughtfulness, for even the people who loaned him money, which he repaid, were remembered in his will. A touching story is told of him; that when he returned to his parent’s home, he kissed the floor upon which his mother and father used to walk, so well had he remembered them, yet so simple had he remained, he who played among and played with and played for the greatest people who lived in his time.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756–1791
Now we come to the greatest musical genius of all time. For, whereas Bach, Handel, Haydn, Gluck, and Beethoven excelled in many things, Mozart excelled in everything; living but thirty-five years, about half the time of most of these, he outstripped them all in natural genius.
Wolfgang Amadeus, born in Salzburg on the 27th of January, 1756, was the son of Leopold Mozart, under chapel master to the hated Archbishop of Salzburg. His mother was the daughter of a minor official in Hildenstein, and was not a cook as were the mothers of Haydn and of Beethoven. However, Madam Mozart’s not having been of that profession did not lessen her son’s genius!
One day when little Wolfgang was four years old, his father found the boy busily writing. He warned his father not to disturb him, as he was writing a concerto for the harpsichord. And, sure enough, when the father looked over the boy’s shoulder he saw that he was not scribbling as most children of four years do, but was actually composing a work for harpsichord and orchestra, which he afterwards played to show how it should go. In spite of the blots of ink, it could easily be read.
Mozart’s father was a wise and kindly man. He soon appreciated that the boy was destined for a great career, and decided that he must be properly trained.
Wolfgang was a sweet and loving child, very kind and easy to control, although he and his sister “Nannerl” were “regular” children and loved to play as other children. The father decided to take them both on a concert tour through Europe, in order to meet the great musicians and to earn money for their education.
In May, 1765, Wolfgang and his pretty little sister gave their first concert in London “for the benefit” so the sign read, “of Miss Mozart aged thirteen and Master Mozart eight years of age, prodigies of nature ... a concert of music, with all the overtures of this little boy’s composition.”
The people, tired of all the pomp and ceremony of fashion, were eager for something different and were ready to listen to youthful prodigies, so the hall was crowded, and everyone was amazed.
They were beautifully brought up, charming, merry and unspoiled by the gifts showered upon them. Father Mozart gave the presents to them by degrees, teaching them the value of all things, from jewels to flattery.