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'''Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart''' (1756-1791) was an [[Austria]]n [[composer]] during the [[Classical period (music)|Classical Period]]. Christened Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus, Mozart was born in [[Salzburg]], [[Austria]], on January 27, 1756.  Mozart was educated by his father, Leopold Mozart, a well-known violinist also remembered for his treatise on violin-playing.

'''Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart''' (1756-1791) was an [[Austria]]n [[composer]] during the [[Classical period (music)|Classical Period]]. Christened Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus, Mozart was born in [[Salzburg]], [[Austria]], on January 27, 1756.  Mozart was educated by his father, Leopold Mozart, a well-known violinist also remembered for his treatise on violin-playing.

==Childhood and Musical Education==

==Childhood and Musical Education==

Mozart had [[harpsichord]] lessons at three, composed at four, and by the time he was seven played the harpsichord, [[organ]], and the [[violin]]. He wrote two sets of [[sonata]]s for the harpsichord and the violin, which were published in [[France]] when he was seven. Mozart also composed two symphonies in [[England]] when he was eight, an ''opera buffa'' at eleven, ''La finta semplice'' for [[Joseph II]] of Austria, and ''opera seria'' at fourteen, ''Mitridate, re di Ponto''. During Mozart's short life he wrote more than forty [[symphony|symphonies]], twenty-two [[opera]]s, twenty-three [[string quartet]]s, twenty-seven [[concerto]]s for the piano and [[orchestra]], and thirty-six sonatas for violin and piano. There are over six hundred and twenty-six known works.

Mozart had [[harpsichord]] lessons at three, composed at four, and by the time he was seven played the harpsichord, [[organ]], and the [[violin]]. He wrote two sets of [[sonata]]s for the harpsichord and the violin, which were published in [[France]] when he was seven. Mozart also composed two symphonies in [[England]] when he was eight, an ''opera buffa'' at eleven, ''La finta semplice'' for [[Joseph II]] of Austria, and ''opera seria'' at fourteen, ''Mitridate, re di Ponto''.  

To capitalize on Wolfgang's gifts, Leopold took the family on several tours throughout continental Europe and England between 1762 and 1773. This was also a boon for his education, as it put him at a tender age in contact with many great composers of all nationalities, and the young Wolfgang took it all in like a sponge. This would become important later, as he would successfully integrate the best of the Italian school, the Mannheim school, and the German and French musical traditions. In a sense, he would be one of the first to compose in an integrated trans-European style which has come to be known as "Classical."<ref>See Rosen, Charles, ''The Classical Style''.</ref>

To capitalize on Wolfgang's gifts, Leopold took the family on several tours throughout continental Europe and England between 1762 and 1773. This was also a boon for his education, as it put him at a tender age in contact with many great composers of all nationalities, and the young Wolfgang took it all in like a sponge. This would become important later, as he would successfully integrate the best of the Italian school, the Mannheim school, and the German and French musical traditions. In a sense, he would be one of the first to compose in an integrated trans-European style which has come to be known as "Classical."<ref>See Rosen, Charles, ''The Classical Style''.</ref>