Hey Kids, Meet Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Composer Biography

from the Hey Kid's Meet the Composer Index




Hey Kids, Meet Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Austrian Classical Era Composer

Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria - the home of castles, wiener schnitzel, and Mozartkugel - a chocolate candy created in 1890 to honor Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Wolfgang was no ordinary kid. By the time he was four years old, he was composing short pieces that his father wrote down for him. By the time he was six, he and his sister Maria were touring Europe with their father to play music for kings and queens.

At the age of eight Wolfgang published his first two sonatas for the harpsichord. His skills as a composer continued to develop, and by the age of 13 he had composed his first opera. By the time Mozart was in his mid-twenties he had established himself as one of the most accomplished keyboard players in Vienna, and he was recognized as a talented composer.

Mozart loved to compose music. He composed music at the dinner table. He composed music about a cat - probably because he liked acting like a cat. He even composed music while his wife was having a baby. Because he was always composing, the music he wrote would take eight days to play if you played one piece after the next, without ever stopping.

One night a mysterious stranger knocked on the door of Mozart's home. Mozart opened the door and found a man standing in the shadowy hall that he had never seen before. The stranger asked Mozart to compose a requiem Mass, and offered to pay him. The visit from the mysterious man terrified Mozart, so he agreed to write the requiem.

Mozart's health wasn't good when he accepted the commission and it got worse as he worked on the requiem. He told his wife, Constanze, that he believed he was writing it for his own funeral.

On December 5, 1791, Mozart died at 35 years of age, leaving behind a collection of more than 600 compositions, including works for the symphony, the piano, and the opera. His most popular works include his opera, The Magic Flute, his chamber ensemble, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, and his work for piano, Ah vous dirais-je, Maman*, based on the melody "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." These pieces and others are considered to be the finest works in the Classical style.


*Many believe that Mozart composed the theme for Ah vous dirais-je, Maman ("Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star") when he was 4 or 5 years of age, which is false. This misconception is further enhanced by its appearance in Trivial Pursuit and Snapple Facts as the "correct" answer.


Watch a Video About Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Learn about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with this popsicle stick theater presentation from the MakingMusicFun.net Academy. Print the Meet Mozart | Free Video Music Lesson Study Guide to drill the facts.



Watch a performance of Mozart's Eine Kleine Nacht Musik, 1st Movement for string orchestra.




Print Related Resources for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart


Piano Lesson Books for Kids

Mozart | Meet the Composer Series Piano Book, Vol. 2

Beginner and Easy Piano Sheet Music

Für Elise Beginner Piano Sheet Music/Level 1
Marriage of Figaro Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 2
Kyrie Eleison (Mass No. 12) Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 2
Air Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 2
Clarinet Concerto (Theme) Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 2
Für Elise Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 3
Requiem in D Minor: Dies Irae Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 3
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 3
Minuet, K.2 Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 3
Funeral March Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 4
Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 5
March of the Priests Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 5
Old MacDonald Had a Farm à la Mozart Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 5
Turkish March Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 5
Symphony No. 25 (Theme) Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 5
Symphony No. 40 (Theme) Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 5

Beginner and Easy Woodwinds, Brass and Strings Sheet Music

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik Easy Flute Sheet Music with Piano Accompaniment
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for Easy Clarinet Sheet Music with Piano Accompaniment
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for Easy Alto Saxophone Sheet Music with Piano Accompaniment
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for Easy Trumpet Sheet Music with Piano Accompaniment
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for Easy Trombone Sheet Music with Piano Accompaniment
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for Easy Violin Sheet Music with Piano Accompaniment
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for Easy Viola Sheet Music with Piano Accompaniment
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for Easy Cello Sheet Music with Piano Accompaniment

Beginner and Easy Guitar Sheet Music

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for Guitar Solo (Tab)

Harp Sheet Music

Marriage of Figaro Easy Harp Sheet Music

Hey Kids, Meet the Composer Worksheets and Games (Famous Composers)

Meet Mozart | Free Video Lesson Study Guide
Mozart | Word Search Worksheet
Mozart | Crossword Worksheet
Mozart | Multiplication Connect-the-Dot Worksheet
Mozart | Coloring Page
Meet the Composer Job Application Worksheet
Beethoven at Bat™ | Music Composer Board Game (Digital Print)

Homeschool Music Lesson Plans for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Homeschool Music Lesson Plans

Kids Songs for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Great Composer Farm | Easy Piano Sheet Music
Great Composer Farm | Lead Sheet
Great Composer Farm | Kids Song Lyrics