The Influence of Mozart's Family and Social Background on His Musical Composition

The Influence of Mozart's Family and Social Background on His Musical Composition
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Introduction
Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, better known as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, in the small town of Salzburg, Austria. The infant grew into a child prodigy, who turned out to become one of the most admired composers of all time. With over six hundred works in his short lifetime, Mozart remains an icon. His growth as a composer did not just happen. He was a talented musician, something he discovered early in his life. Beyond his talent, Mozart was influenced by various things in his environment like people, events, places, and experiences. This essay explores how Mozart's family and social background influenced his musical composition.[Cooper, J. (1972). " Mozart", by Stanley Sadie (Book Review). Notes, 29(2), 251.]
Mozart’s family background
Mozart's father, Johann Georg Leopold Mozart, generally known as Leopold Mozart, played a critical role in shaping Mozart's musical development and career. When a majority of people talk about Mozart, they are most certainly referring to Wolfgang. The popularity of Mozart makes Leopold obscure in the music scene. Leopold was born in 1719 to a bookbinder parent. There was no significant composer in Leopold's family line. Leopold pursued music, while simultaneously getting an education in philosophy and law. Soon after graduation, Leopold pursued music and started making a living from it. Leopold had a vibrant career in music before getting children. For instance, Leopold wrote Opus 1, which consisted of Six Trio Sonatas for two violins and a bass. The publishing of the music earned him a position in the Count Thun at Salzburg. Due to his hard work, Leopold moved from the fourth violinist in the church to the second violinist. He also taught the choirboys, a skill that would later be instrumental in teaching his children music. In 1763, Leopold was promoted to the position of deputy Kapellmeister. Unfortunately, Leopold did not rise any further, as others were promoted over him to the head position of Kapellmeister. Scholars hold different views regarding Leopold's success. On the one hand, biographer Maynard Solomon indicates that Leopold failed to make a composer. Similarly, Alfred Einstein saw him as an undistinguished composer. On the contrary, other scholars assert that Leopold was successful as a pedagogue. For instance, in 1755, Leopold wrote a textbook for instruction in violin playing. The work made a reputation for Leopold in Europe and put his name in music dictionaries and other works in musical pedagogy.[Carp, L. "Mozart: his tragic life and controversial death." Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 46, no. 4 (1970): 267.]
While Mozart’s natural talent was critical in the development of his music career, he learned music from Leopold. After the publication of the textbook, it became apparent that Leopold’s career in music composition had hit its peak. Leopold no longer gave his lessons and started resenting life in Salzburg. Eventually, in 1762, he stopped composing and channeled his ...