Mozart, Haydn, Schubert & the Viennese Classic
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) — born in Salzburg, died in Vienna, immortal worldwide. Mozart is not only Austria's most famous son but one of the greatest composers in human history. Already a child prodigy, he traveled with his father Leopold through the courts of Europe, played before Empress Maria Theresa at six, and wrote his first opera at twelve.
His work — over 600 compositions, including The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, A Little Night Music, the Requiem — spans opera, symphony, chamber music, and church music. Mozart died at only 35 in Vienna under mysterious circumstances (poisoning? kidney failure? overwork?) and was buried in a common grave at St. Marx Cemetery — the exact location is unknown.
Joseph Haydn (1732–1809), the "Father of the Symphony," worked for decades as Kapellmeister for the Esterházy princes in Burgenland and Eisenstadt. He created 104 symphonies, The Creation, and the Emperor Quartet, whose melody became the German (and until 1938 the Austrian) national anthem.
Franz Schubert (1797–1828) — born in Vienna, died in Vienna, unappreciated in Vienna. Over 600 songs, symphonies (the "Unfinished"), chamber music of heartbreaking beauty. Schubert lived in poverty, and his music was only truly appreciated after his death at 31. The Schubertiade in Schwarzenberg and Hohenems (Vorarlberg) is the world's most important festival for his music.
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Mozart's Birthplace (Getreidegasse 9, Salzburg) is a museum — informative but crowded in summer. Less visited and at least as interesting: Mozart's Residence on Makartplatz and the Mozarteum with the original "Magic Flute House".
