Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - The (Not So) Child Prodigy

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – the superstar of the classical music era – was an Austrian composer, pianist, and violinist. Born in 1756, Mozart was known for his incredible musical talents from a very young age. In fact, he started composing at the ripe age of five years old.

But let’s be real, five-year-olds making masterpieces? It sounds like a setup for a terrible sitcom. Did Mozart really write his own music? Or was he just a child prodigy with extremely pushy parents? Well, let’s take a closer look.

Early Life

Mozart was born into a family of musicians, so it’s no surprise that they encouraged him to pursue music. In fact, his father, Leopold Mozart, was a composer, and he was quick to exploit his son’s natural talent. As soon as little Wolfgang was born, his father shoved a violin in his hands and started teaching him. When Mozart was six, his father started carting him around Europe, showcasing his supposed musical abilities.

During this time, Mozart performed for kings and queens, and he was even presented to the Pope. But let’s be real, if you’re not fully potty-trained, you’re probably not a musical genius. We’re not saying young Mozart wasn’t good, but he’s not playing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 before he even hit puberty.

Discovering His Genius

As Mozart got older, he continued composing music that had the critics raving. But why? Because his father was always by his side as his personal PR machine. He’d tout how amazing his son was to anyone who would listen. But really, who can blame him? If he was going to cart his child all over Europe, he might as well make a buck off it.

It wasn’t until Mozart’s teenage years that he developed into the composer we know and admire today. He broke free from his father’s smothering and finally began to discover his true musical voice. We would say he finally broke free from his pushy stage-parents and began his journey to the top!

His Legacy

Mozart’s music is still played and revered centuries later, proving that his talent was indeed legitimate. And while we can’t deny that his father was exploitative, we also can’t overlook Mozart’s unparalleled musical talent.

In conclusion, Mozart’s career may have started as a gimmick by his overbearing father, but his genius could not be denied. And if nothing else, we can take solace knowing that even if our own parents tried to push us into a career we didn’t want, we probably won’t end up as one of history’s greatest composers.