27/01/2022
The Vatican was mesmerising and the Sistine Chapel stood captivating. But it wasn’t what the teenage composer was waiting for. St Peter’s holy hall fell silent. It was about time. The flawless piece began and soon the crowd realised its sheer greatness. The C notes slowly rose up, travelling higher than the confines of the church and escaping boundlessly into the universe through the ears of the awestruck listeners. The audience consumed the music relaxed, leaving their distresses as if they belonged to a stranger; everyone except one. The boy listened to each note like his life depended on it, for after this week the piece won’t be played anywhere till the next year. This was his only chance.
Later, returning to his lodgings, he stood up all night to write the piece all from his memory. Allegri’s Miserere was incredibly rare and mysterious. It was forbidden to transcribe the piece and was only performed at the Chapel. Yet, somehow the piece resided there in the notes of a 14-year-old unknown boy, albeit illegally but almost as good as the original.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a prodigy; there are no two ways about it. Born on 27 January 1756 in Salzburg, the acknowledged composer was only five when he composed his first musical work and hence showed early signs of being extraordinary in his art. Over the years, he juggled different and varied musical genres of that time, gifting us over 800 musical compositions in the process. He also excelled in a variety of instruments, thus his music catalogue shelters something unique for listeners of each taste.
Mozart was peculiar in nature, socially awkward and had a liking for publicly unacceptable humour. But when it came to music, he was extraordinary not only in his talents but also in his dedication. He resigned his court title in Salzburg in order to hustle for his musical career. And thus, his time and career in Vienna cemented his legacy as he made unparalleled music.
The cause of his death is still surrounded by uncertainty. He got ill and died while composing his renowned unfinished piece: the Requiem in D Minor. Therefore, it might be safe to say that even his death couldn’t separate him and his music.