It’s likely that his father notated this piece for him as Wolfgang’s penmanship probably wasn’t yet up to the task, but he very quickly began to notate his own music. He wrote his first Minuet and Trio when he was five. Wolfgang started to pick out notes on the clavier at a very tender age and was soon composing. During these times Leopold caught up with his letter writing, accounts, and his own musical compositions. Sometimes they had to stop at an inn for several days while Wolfgang or Nannerl recovered from a cold or sickness. There were many difficult journeys in coaches pulled by horses, on muddy roads with storms and illnesses that no doubt resulted from being cooped up for days in a damp coach, erratic bedtimes, and having to eat whatever was available on their travels. At first, payment for their concerts was meager, but as they pressed on with their European travels and concerts, word got around between members of the nobility and their income increased. They set out for Vienna in September of 1761 where the children performed for the prince bishop. Seeing an opportunity to not only educate and travel his children, but to make money off their abilities, he set out across Europe to show off their talent.
As soon as possible he started to tutor his two children, Wolfgang and his older sister Nannerl, who was also a musical prodigy. His father, Leopold Mozart, was a respected composer and violinist of the Austrian court. Wolfgang learned the language of all the countries he visited, as they often stayed in each place for several months. His childhood involved years of traveling from one European city to another – Austria, Germany, France, Italy, and England. The Empress later gave Wolfgang a beautiful coat which he often wore when he gave concerts.Īlthough Salzburg was ‘home’, Wolfgang’s early life was not spent in any one place for very long. The Empress’s daughter, Marie Antoinette, only one year older than Wolfgang, came running to remove the little boy from her mother’s knee, only to be playfully wrestled by the little boy. Not usual protocol, but the Empress kissed him back, charmed by his character and impressed by his talent. When he had finished his performance, Wolfgang ran up to the Empress, climbed upon her knee and kissed her. The Empress of Austria, Maria Theresa, and her family looked on in delight. Little five-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed on the harpsichord, his small, dimpled hands moving quickly and precisely across the notes.
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