Figure 1.--We believe this was meant to be a portait of the young Mozart at about age 8 years. We do not know, however, who painted it and when. The owner tells us that the portrait was authenticated as circa 1765 based on wood, nails, pigmentation etc.

Mozart was probably the most acclaimed child prodigy of all time. He was born in Salzburg and educated along with his talented sister by his father Leopold who was concertmeister in the court orchestra of the archbishop of Salzburg and a celebrated violinist, composer, and author of a standard treatise on violin playing. His son's extraordinary precocity soon attracted attention. This began when the young Wolfgang was intrigued by the harpsichord as a toddler-- only 3 years old. That quickly escalated with his father's lessons and led to Wolfgang playing five short piano pieces at the age of 4 years. The pieces still exist and are often played. Wolfgang produced his first musical composition at age 5 years (1761). By this time, his father realized that he had an extraordinary talent of his hands. He decided to show off the young Mozart and his gifted older sister. He organized a tour of European cities (1762). Wolfgang was 6-years old when the tours began. The success meant that these tours went on for a decade. Their skills were acclaimed and they mesmerized the European musical world. Wolfgang performed on the clavier, violin, and organ. He composed many works as a child. Mozart absolutely thrived despite the grueling traveling schedule his father created. He managed to dashing off his first symphony at age 8 years eight, followed by his first operas soon after. His musical talents defy belief. One one occasion after entering his teens, he transcribed Gregorio Allegri’s 'Miserere' from memory after hearing it performed one time at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. He returned to the Vatican soon after to make a few minor corrections to his his transcription. At the time it was common to dress boys, once breeched, as miniature adults. Thus Mozart's clothes were small editions of contemporary court fashion. Mozart had the almost unimaginable ability to simply write polished musical scores straight away which required only minor editing. Mozart had the uncanny ability to edit musical scores in his mind. He of course would become one of the greatest composers of the classical era if at all time. Fortunately his father recognized his talent so early. Mozart was able to create more than 600 works even though he died at such an early age -- 35 year olds. It is not entirely known what led to his death. He reportedly suffered from a variety of aliments, including acute edema, high fever, and blistered skin. They were making his life unbearable. Modern medical analyses conclude that he succumbed to complications from a strep throat or miliary fever reported by his personal physician. Modern specialists believe a lack of vitamin D may have been involved. It is unclear precisely to what extent his high profile musical career as involved. Few other composers had his prodigious abilities. One of the few other such composers was Sibelius, according to his granddaughter. Johan Julius Christian Sibelius (who was called "Jean"), the father of Finnish music, was of Swedish descent. He was born in Finland in 1865. Died in 1957. It has not been recorded that he was a child prodigy. If he was (and many composers were talented right from the start), he could not compare with Mozart, who was absolutely astonishing.

Created: 6:36 AM 8/13/2004
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