Stamp of the Month 12/2016: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
(selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)
Kyrgyzstan 8.9.2016 |
by the Polymnia Choral Society Melrose/Massachusetts (Solo: Teresa Wakim) |
|
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg. From his father he early received
intensive musical training, traveled as a "child prodigy" throughout Europe and in 1769
became court music director of the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg. Today, Mozart is known primarily for his
operas and his orchestral music. Less well known is Mozart's sacred music that - with few exceptions - long
led a shadowy existence. It was considered not liturgy, too worldly and operatic.
Among the approximately 80 works are 15 full masses, several oratorios, vespers and litanies.
With the exception of the unfinished C minor Mass, K. 427, the motet Ave verum corpus KV 618 and the
unfinished Requiem K. 626 all church works were created during his Salzburg period 1756 -1781.
Mozart composed these mainly for services in Salzburg Cathedral on behalf of his Archiepiscopal masters.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died on December 5, 1791 in Vienna. In December 2016 we commemorate his 225th death anniversary. More portraits can be found in the members only section |