Getting to Know Mozart
This article was written by Phineas Upham
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the only surviving child of Leopold and Maria Pertl Mozart. His father was an accomplished composer and violinist, who was also the assistant concert master at the Salzburg court. Though Mozart did have a sister, young Maria Anna (who took the nick name “Nannerl”).
He used to watch his father tutor his seven-year old sister on the keyboard, mimicking her own movements and trying to learn the basics through proxy. Leopold was patient with his children, arranging a task-oriented training regimen that kept them active at their instrument. Both children met the challenges and exceeded their father’s expectation.
As his sister reached marriageable age, she quit playing music professionally. Mozart’s father was looking for ways to show his young son’s talent off in place of the sister. Leopold took his son to Italy, where young Wolfgang heard Gregorio Allegeri’s Miserere performed within the Sistine Chapel. He wrote the entire score out from memory after the show, correcting only a handful of small errors along the way.
After the death of his father’s benefactor, Mozart returned to Salzburg with his father. The new bishop there appointed Mozart as assistant concert master, which earned him a small salary for his work. Mozart worked for several symphony orchestras during this time, refining his compositional skills as well.
He eventually found fame in Vienna, and all across Europe. By the end of his life, Mozart was struggling with debt and having trouble finding work that excited him. As Austria went to war, and the nobility had less disposable income to host balls, Mozart’s talents fell out of demand. He died at the age of 35, the cause of death was unknown.
About the Author: Phineas Upham is an investor at a family office/hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Phineas Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media & Technology group. You may contact Phineas on his LinedIn page.