Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1756. He had piano, violin and composition lessons with his father Leopold Mozart from an early age. By the time he was 5 years old, legend has it that he could perform as well as any professional musician. He wrote his first symphony at the age of 8 and toured around Europe playing for royalty. He was considered a child prodigy.
As a young man, Mozart worked as a court musician in Salzburg, but became restless and wanted to work as a freelance composer. However, he struggled to get paid work and was often short of money.
Mozart died young at the age of 35 in 1791, but nevertheless is perhaps one of the main composers of the 1750 - 1825. He produced a considerable amount of music during his short lifetime, of which is still celebrated and performed today. He was a versatile composer writing symphonies, operas, A piece for an orchestra with a soloist, in three movements, chamber music, including string quartets, and many piano sonatas.