"If Mozart is not a plant forced in the hothouse, he is bound to grow into one of the greatest musical composers who ever lived." – Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart, Deutsche Chronik, 1775.
While Leopold and Wolfgang continued to travel together, they concentrated their efforts in Italy where Wolfgang received further devoted instruction from Giambattista Martini, an idol of the Italians who composed for the church. Mozart was accepted as a member of the famous Accademia Filarmonica, and he continued to compose operas and cantatas while in Italy. His expansive repertoire and European fame helped him become an esteemed concert master in the court of the ruler of Salzburg, Prince-Archbishop Colloredo. After having spent so many years on the road performing for nobles, for royals and for huge audiences in opera houses, the narrow realm of the Salzburg court left much to be desired for the already prolific musician. He was reluctantly granted a release from the court, and he ventured out to find his musical fortune. However, Wolfgang lacked discipline and maturity necessary for any notable appointments. In the numerous letters he wrote home to his father, he expressed receiving gifts instead of payment, and spending late nights playing and behaving "godlessly" with nobility. Now aged 21, he supported himself by giving piano lessons and musical instruction. He became enamored of one singing pupil, Aloysia Weber, whom he regarded as an up and coming prima donna and for whom he composed works to best complement her voice. Horrified that this girl was only seventeen and had never appeared on stage, Leopold wrote to Wolfgang and insisted he leave the romance behind and proceed to Paris to seek more gainful employment. Heartbroken but ever obedient, Wolfgang moved on. He turned down an appointment at Versailles as the organist, and delayed returning to Salzburg where his father had secured him a post as organist and concertmaster at a considerable pay increase, again in the court of Prince-Archbishop Colloredo. On his return trip home, he visited Aloysia, who had become a very successful singer, but she had fallen in love with another man and spurned Wolfgang. He finally returned to Salzburg. The works he had composed during his travels gained notoriety and he was summoned to Vienna for the accession of Joseph II to the Austrian throne. Begrudgingly, Colloredo allowed Wolfgang to join him for the festivities in Vienna but proceeded to treat Mozart cruelly, refusing to grant the musical genius permission to play in concerts for private or public audiences, including a benefit performance to raise money for widows of musicians. Mozart complained to his father that he lost the chance to earn a tremendous amount of money in Vienna and could not bear the treatment of Colloredo controlling his every move, ordering him around like a mere valet and not as a respected artist. Mozart and Colloredo fought, and Mozart was excused from his courtly appointment with a literal kick in the pants. This chain of events in Vienna freed the young composer, and his life took wonderful new turns.
This color coordinated collection of fashion fabrics was first featured in our Vogue Fabrics By Mail Winter2010 catalog of swatches. Subscribe to receive home delivery of these catalogs every other month.
While Leopold and Wolfgang continued to travel together, they concentrated their efforts in Italy where Wolfgang received further devoted instruction from Giambattista Martini, an idol of the Italians who composed for the church. Mozart was accepted as a member of the famous Accademia Filarmonica, and he continued to compose operas and cantatas while in Italy. His expansive repertoire and European fame helped him become an esteemed concert master in the court of the ruler of Salzburg, Prince-Archbishop Colloredo. After having spent so many years on the road performing for nobles, for royals and for huge audiences in opera houses, the narrow realm of the Salzburg court left much to be desired for the already prolific musician. He was reluctantly granted a release from the court, and he ventured out to find his musical fortune. However, Wolfgang lacked discipline and maturity necessary for any notable appointments. In the numerous letters he wrote home to his father, he expressed receiving gifts instead of payment, and spending late nights playing and behaving "godlessly" with nobility. Now aged 21, he supported himself by giving piano lessons and musical instruction. He became enamored of one singing pupil, Aloysia Weber, whom he regarded as an up and coming prima donna and for whom he composed works to best complement her voice. Horrified that this girl was only seventeen and had never appeared on stage, Leopold wrote to Wolfgang and insisted he leave the romance behind and proceed to Paris to seek more gainful employment. Heartbroken but ever obedient, Wolfgang moved on. He turned down an appointment at Versailles as the organist, and delayed returning to Salzburg where his father had secured him a post as organist and concertmaster at a considerable pay increase, again in the court of Prince-Archbishop Colloredo. On his return trip home, he visited Aloysia, who had become a very successful singer, but she had fallen in love with another man and spurned Wolfgang. He finally returned to Salzburg. The works he had composed during his travels gained notoriety and he was summoned to Vienna for the accession of Joseph II to the Austrian throne. Begrudgingly, Colloredo allowed Wolfgang to join him for the festivities in Vienna but proceeded to treat Mozart cruelly, refusing to grant the musical genius permission to play in concerts for private or public audiences, including a benefit performance to raise money for widows of musicians. Mozart complained to his father that he lost the chance to earn a tremendous amount of money in Vienna and could not bear the treatment of Colloredo controlling his every move, ordering him around like a mere valet and not as a respected artist. Mozart and Colloredo fought, and Mozart was excused from his courtly appointment with a literal kick in the pants. This chain of events in Vienna freed the young composer, and his life took wonderful new turns.
This color coordinated collection of fashion fabrics was first featured in our Vogue Fabrics By Mail Winter2010 catalog of swatches. Subscribe to receive home delivery of these catalogs every other month.
