A special all-day event celebrating the life and work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will commence on March 8 at 5 PM Eastern Time, with an opening concert presented by Concerto Budapest.
Mozart, born in Salzburg on January 27, 1756, and passing away in Vienna on December 5, 1791, was a prolific composer of the Classical period. His extensive catalog includes over 800 works, encompassing symphonies, concertos, chamber music, opera, and choral pieces. He demonstrated exceptional musical talent from a very young age, performing for European royalty by age five, and undertaking extensive tours of Europe and Italy with his father, Leopold.
While employed at the Salzburg court, Mozart sought opportunities for advancement, leading him on travels to Paris, Mannheim, and Munich. During this period, he composed five violin concertos, the Sinfonia Concertante, and the opera Idomeneo. His decision to remain in Vienna after a visit in 1781 proved pivotal, though it did not guarantee financial stability.
In Vienna, Mozart produced notable works such as the opera Die Entführung aus dem Serail, the Great Mass in C minor, and a series of string quartets known as the “Haydn” Quartets. He continued to compose prolifically, creating more than a dozen piano concertos that are now considered among his greatest achievements. His compositions are cataloged using the Köchel catalogue, a chronological listing of his works compiled by Ludwig von Köchel.
The March 8 event, accessible via live stream, will focus on Mozart’s compositions. A performance of “March No. 8 in D major K. 290” is available on YouTube, performed by the Liszt Ferenc Chamber Orchestra, Budapest, and conducted by Ádám Fischer.
