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Mozart and Beethoven: A Comparison of Lives and Music Essay

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Mozart and Beethoven: A Comparison of Lives and Music In 1747 Leopold Mozart married Maria Anna Pertl. Leopold and Maria Anna would have seven children, two of who would survive. Maria Anna born in 1752 who the family called Nannerl . Then in 1756 Wolfgang Amadeus who was nicknamed Wolfgangerl. Wolfgang Amadeus was not his original birth name it was shortened to this from Joannes Chrisostomos Wolfgangus Gottlieb. It is little wonder even two of the children survived; “Given Leopolds insistence that they be brought up on a diet of water and gruel, the wonder is that any survived at all.” (Siepmann, Mozart His life and Music) Leopold Mozart was very musical himself and was a skilled violinist, composer and an author. He wrote a well …show more content…

I think we may have a clear picture of Leopold as a parent. I think that some of his documented behavior and statements make it appear as though his extremely talented children were mere commodities. Ludwig Von Beethoven was born in December 1770, in Germany or at least close to that date there seems to be a bit of controversy with the actual date. His father Johann Beethoven was a court musician and singer. He recognized Ludwig’s talent and potential early and thought he may have another Mozart in his son. He thought to capitalize on his son’s talent and made the young child practice relentlessly. “Beethoven paid heavily for his father’s ambitions. More than one visitor to the house saw the little boy weeping as he practiced. Repeatedly he was locked in the cellar and/or deprived of food” (Siepmann, Beethoven His Life & Music)It was also noted that Johann Beethoven drank excessively and not to have been an easy father leaving the children in the care of serving maids. (Robbins - Landon) In 1787 Beethoven was sent to Vienna to study with Mozart but his study was cut short. Beethoven had to return to Germany because his mother was dying of teburculosis. When he arrived he found her very ill and his father succumbing to his alcoholism. At the age of sixteen or seventeen he became the financial supporter of his family,

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