The teenage Mozart blossoms as an artist but struggles to fulfill the full measure of his potential. He’s already composed numerous symphonies and concertos. And his mother tirelessly supports his career, even as their travels around Europe cause her health to deteriorate.
Mozart spent much of this period in sleepy Salzburg, writing music for parties and church services. The young composer longed to write opera, but Salzburg had no opera company. So Mozart filled his compositions with stunning, aria-like melodies that hint at the operatic masterworks he would compose later. It was another example of Mozart's ingenuinty in the face of an obstacle.
This is the second of five episodes on Mozart, kicking off our new podcast The Great Composers. The series, hosted by Karla Walker and Scott O'Neil, offers an intimate look at some of history's greatest musical minds. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
Check out a timeline of key events in Mozart's life, and hear the music featured in this series in our Spotify playlist below.
Timeline: Key Moments in Mozart's Life
Learn more about pivotal points in this great composer's career:
Featured Music From 'The Great Composers: Mozart'
Check out this Spotify playlist and explore nearly eight hours of music heard in this series.
Explore other podcasts from CPR Classical: Centennial Sounds, featuring Colorado performances of music by 21st-century composers; and The Beethoven 9 @ 9, a look at Beethoven's life through his nine symphonies.
