Mozart’s prolific and popular output made him one of the most famous composers in history. Famous for his exquisite music and charming personas, he is often referred to as the ‘Wonderschon’ (Wonderful One) in German. His prolific work–more than 800 compositions–is undoubtedly world class, earning him a substantial income during his lifetime. How did he earn his money? We take a look at the various ways in which Mozart made money from writing music.
Compositions For Royal Families
In addition to his many acclaimed piano compositions, Mozart is also known for writing some of the most famous and popular violin concertos. Some of these came at a time when he was already well established, and they were most likely commissioned by royal families who wanted to show their esteem. Indeed, it was not unusual for aristocrats to commission well-known composers at the time due to their influence in society.
It is thought that Mozart composed the Violin Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major at the request of King George II of Great Britain. While the work did not have a formal premiere until 1832, it was first performed privately for the king and queen a few months before. It was not until 1877 that this work was publicly performed, by which time it was regarded as one of the most important violin concertos ever written.
Mozart’s other violin concertos are also thought to have been written for royal families, with the possible exception of No. 4 (K. 438), which is dedicated to the Viennese Court Orchestra. However, it would not be surprising if some of these works were also performed privately for members of royalty. The demand for his violin music was so great that he was sometimes called the ‘Pen-driener of Salzburg’ (Pianist of Salzburg), and it is known that he sometimes spent whole nights on the set of a violin concerto, drinking, eating, and writing music. It is also said that he wrote three sonatas (preludes) for Ludwig van Beethoven, who was also a famous violinist, and one of his closest friends. These sonatas were never performed, and are now regarded as some of Mozart’s most important works. It seems that Beethoven helped keep Mozart’s career alive during his final years, by performing his piano compositions and encouraging others to do the same. It was also Beethoven who performed the German premieres of many of Mozart’s later works. Beethoven’s friendship with Mozart continued even after the composer’s death in 1791, and he attended Mozart’s burial, alongside Ludwig von Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the Queen. This friendship is regarded as one of the greatest in all of music history.
Pianoforte Concerto No. 12
The pianoforte, or pianerooster (Dutch: piano), is a type of keyboard instrument that imitates the human voice. It was first manufactured in Europe during the early 1700s, with the modern form being developed in the late 1700s. Pianos were often used in early modern theatres to accompany plays and musicals, and even today they are considered a luxurious and prestigious addition to a home. Even though the piano was not originally designed to be an instrument of payment, it eventually became one.
The most famous piano composition of all time is, without a doubt, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12 in C Major, K. Anh. 214. The work, which lasts for a bit over six minutes, is one of Mozart’s most popular and well-known piano compositions. Due to its widespread influence and popularity, the work has been featured on numerous iconic film soundtracks, from Walt Disney’s iconic 1942 film, Alice in Wonderland to the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Additionally, it has been used as the theme song for various television shows, including The Muppets, Alias, and Will & Grace. Its popularity makes this composition one of the best-selling piano pieces ever, with around 12 million copies sold to date.
It is thought that Mozart’s decision to make this concerto popular stemmed from the fact that it was one of the most requested compositions by King George II of Great Britain, and it is now considered to be one of the best-known piano concertos of all time. The score was eventually purchased by the British Royal Family, and it is now part of the Royal Collection.
Many other composers also used the piano as a means of payment. One of the best-known examples is Frédéric Chopin, who is perhaps best known for his revolutionary use of piano variations in place of the standard forms of musical form. The piece, titled ‘Étude d’une pièce,’ was first performed on April 21, 1831, with Chopin playing the prelude by himself. The work is now regarded as one of the greatest ‘études’ (preludes) in all of classical music.
It is also thought that Ludwig van Beethoven was greatly influenced by Chopin’s ‘pièce’. In turn, Beethoven wrote a piano variation of his own, titled ‘Piano Concerto No. 19.’ It was not until 1832 that Beethoven’s variation was scored for piano and performed by the composer himself, who was at the time in his 70s. Sadly, Beethoven died a year later, on March 29, 1833. However, his friendship with Chopin continued even after the composer’s death, with the two men occasionally dining together and discussing their works. In fact, it was not until 1886 that Chopin’s ‘pièce’ was performed for the first time since Beethoven’s death. This was over 150 years after Beethoven’s ‘Piano Concerto No. 19.’
Pianist
It is sometimes difficult to put a price on a life’s work, especially when that work is as prolific and successful as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s. However, it is possible to gain an understanding of his earnings by looking at the various positions he held during his lifetime. Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1781, and by the time he was 21, he was already a famous and accomplished composer. He was so well known that he was occasionally invited to accept payment in piano performances rather than money.
It is thought that Mozart composed the Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major at the request of King George II of Great Britain. While the work did not have a formal premiere until 1832, it was first performed privately for the king and queen a few months before. It was not until 1877 that this work was publicly performed, by which time it was regarded as one of the most important violin concertos ever written. It was also due to this 1877 performance that the world came to know Mozart as the ‘Wonderschon’. (The World Book of Facts) Indeed, it was not only his musical achievements that made Mozart famous, but also his eccentricities. Known for his brimming energy and tireless work ethic, Mozart was famous for his ‘pianistic’ virtuosity, which was on full display for the Royal Family as he played the work for them.
It would not be unusual for aristocrats to commission well-known composers at the time due to their influence in society. The King George II of Great Britain commissioned several of Mozart’s greatest works, while the Vatican also commissioned prolifically during Mozart’s time. It was not only royalty who recognized his talent, with the French Academy of Sciences commissioning him to write an opera and many German noblemen also commissioning piano suites and violin concertos. (The New York Times) It is also worth noting that while many composers usually only wrote sacred music during their lifetimes, Mozart was a vocal supporter of music and the arts in general, which partly inspired his Catholic faith, as he frequently quoted the French poet and playwright, Voltaire, in his letters: “If there were no God, there would be no order in the world, and it would not be a happy world.” (The Telegraph) In fact, it is due to his support of the arts that he is now considered to be one of the greatest classical composers of all time.