Early Musical Careers of Mozart and Mendelssohn
The early musical careers of Mozart and Mendelssohn were both inimitable; their success as “Wunderkinders” (wonder kids) would only be a foretaste of what would become of them. Mozart, a classic composer, and Mendelssohn, a romantic, were both successful in the early stages of their music careers. The early musical training was the foundation for the success of what was to come. Mozart and Mendelssohn were both trained by family members, and then private lessons were given on various instruments and in various places of study. The resulting success of these two early composers will be detailed in the following way: first by looking at the direct family background and influence of the composers, second, by examining the young composers works, and third, discussing the similarities and differences of the two. Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who was christened Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart was born on Sunday, January 27th, 1756 at Salzburg to Anna Maria and Leopold Mozart. ... Wolfgang was not the first child musician of the family; his sister Maria Anna Mozart also exhibited exceptional keyboard skills at an early age. ... Wolfgang’s father was the utmost important influence in the early success as a “prodigy”. His father’s career as a “well-educated professional musician”, violinist and composer was influential in the young Mozart’s success. ... “Yet it was of course at home that he started on his musical education. ... From this time on he made such progress that in his fifth year he already composed little pieces, which he played for his father so that the latter could put them on paper” Mozart’s success at such an early age could be in direct relation to the families sleeping habits. “Documentation suggests that the whole family typically rose early (around six) and went to bed late (around midnight), it may be that some of the children’s work was fitted into the early morning hours before Leopold’s court and teaching duties began. ... ” It was until Mozart was 22 before he distanced himself from his father’s control. ... Math and music were not the only two subjects that came naturally to Mozart, “In some extraordinary way he picked up Italian almost as easily as his mother tongue”. This would become useful for young Mozart later in his life as an opera composer and musician. When Mozart was 6 and Nannerl 10, Leopold believed that the achievements of both his children were remarkable enough to be shown to people outside Salzburg. The Mozart’s were soon off to visit Vienna in 1762.