The Sound of Salzburg: Mozart

The whole city of Salzburg, Austria, is a tribute to one man, native son Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was born here in 1756. At the time, the city’s population was estimated to be about 16,000. Mozart’s father was a musician who quickly detected extraordinary musical skills in his young son. One day, the elder Mozart walked into the room to find Wolfgang, age 4, busy with his quill pen. “What are you doing?” asked Papa. “Writing a piano concerto!” said the boy. Father looked at the smeared notes on the page and tears ran down his face, for the composition showed marks of brilliance. That was the beginning of his remarkable career, in which Wolfgang was writing music and playing to great crowds, even as a young child. He lived many years in Salzburg, though much time was spent away from home touring. He moved to Vienna, overwhelmed by anxiety and financial needs, and died mysteriously (some say he was murdered) at  age 35. Mozart left behind a treasure trove of the world’s most beautiful and mentally-nourishing music, and a hometown that has been reaping the benefits of Mozart-related tourism for 200 years.