The Life & Music of Mozart
1. How do you think your composer’s early life might have influenced his work? Why?
His father was a composer and teacher, and played as a violinist. Mozart played a
clavier, a keyboard like instrument, and his dad began to teach him pieces. I think
this is a major reason he composed music. His father was his teacher.
2. How did your composer earn his income during his lifetime? Was this a common way for
composers of the time to support themselves or was it unusual? How did the way this
composer earned money influence his work?
He was always short for money, and played music just for the joy of it most of the
time. He made a lot of money in Vienna when he moved there. He carelessly
spent money when he had it like many people in this time. Overall, he was not
poor most of the time.
3. Does your composer fit clearly into the classical era or is he a transitional figure from (or
to) another era? Give evidence to support your position.
Mozart is one of the first that people think of when they think of classical music,
so I do believe his music fits clearly into the classical era. His music is classified
as Viennese Classics, along with many other composers including Beethoven.
4. Why do you think your composer is so important in Western culture? Give examples to
support your position.
He is important because his music is still played in abundance and gave rise to
other classical composers.
5. Identify at least two things about your composer that surprise or interest you. These