Classical Music timeline
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is Born
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (German: [ˈvɔlfɡaŋ amaˈdeus ˈmoːtsart], full baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart (27 January... Read more
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Wolfgang Mozart Falls Ill With Scarlet Fever
From start to finish, music was a family business but it was grueling work, too, and the risks were great. This was made painfully clear in late... Read more
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Mozart Family Tour
The Mozart family grand tour was a 1763–1766 journey around the capitals and other major cities of western Europe, undertaken by Leopold Mozart,... Read more
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Journey to Milan
On 13 December 1769, Leopold and Wolfgang set out from Salzburg, armed with testimonials and letters that Leopold hoped would smooth their passage.... Read more
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Ludwig van Beethoven Is Born
Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He was a crucial figure in the transitional... Read more
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Second Journey to Milan
In 1771 Leopold and Wolfgang set out once more for Milan, arriving on 21 August. Wolfgang was to compose the serenata for the wedding of Archduke... Read more
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Mozart Performs "Ascanio in Alba" for the First Time at Archduke Ferdinand's Wedding
Ascanio in Alba is performed to celebrate the wedding of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria and Princess Maria Beatrice Ricciarda d'Este of Modena. Read more
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Third Journey to Milan
The new archbishop, Count Colloredo (from April 1772) had different ideas on music than his predecessor Schrattenbach and, in particular, its... Read more
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"Lucio Silla" Is Performed for the First Time
Lucio Silla, K. 135, is an Italian opera in three acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The libretto was written by Giovanni de Gamerra. It... Read more
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The Paris Journey
(1777 - 1779) W. A. Mozart travelled to Paris alone with his mother since the court had not given his father permission to leave Salzburg. The... Read more
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Beethoven's Early Years
Beethoven's first music teacher was his father. A traditional belief concerning Johann is that he was a harsh instructor, and that the child... Read more
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Mozart Leaves for Vienna
In January 1781, Mozart's opera Idomeneo premiered with "considerable success" in Munich. The following March the composer was summoned to Vienna,... Read more
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Mozart in Vienna
All Mozart biographers struggle with the same problem: The later the year, the more meager the documentation. The composer's early years were... Read more
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Mozart's "Idomeneo" Is First Performed
Idomeneo, re di Creta ossia Ilia e Idamante (Italian for Idomeneo, King of Crete, or, Ilia and Idamante; usually referred to simply as Idomeneo, K.... Read more
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Mozart's "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" Premieres
Die Entführung aus dem Serail (K. 384; The Abduction from the Seraglio; also known as Il Seraglio) is an opera Singspiel in three acts by Wolfgang... Read more
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Mozart Becomes a Freemason
Mozart was admitted as an apprentice to the Viennese Masonic lodge called "Zur Wohltätigkeit" ("Beneficence") on 14 December 1784. He was promoted... Read more
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"Der Schauspieldirektor" Is Performed for Joseph II
Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario), K. 486, is a comic Singspiel written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Gottlieb... Read more
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Mozart Completes Symphony No. 39
The 39th Symphony is the first of a set of three (his last symphonies) that Mozart composed in rapid succession during the summer of 1788. No. 40... Read more
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Mozart Completes Symphony No. 40
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote his Symphony No. 40 in G minor, KV. 550, in 1788. It is sometimes referred to as the "Great G minor symphony," to... Read more
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Mozart Completes Symphony No. 41
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completed his Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551, on 10 August 1788. It was his last symphony adn the last of a set of... Read more
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Berlin Journey
One of the longest adulthood journeys of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a visit, beginning in Spring 1789, to a series of cities lying northward of... Read more
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Mozart's "La clemenza di Tito" Premieres
La clemenza di Tito (The Clemency of Titus), K. 621, is an opera seria composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with text after Metastasio. It was... Read more
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Mozart's "The Magic Flute" Premieres
The Magic Flute (German Die Zauberflöte, K. 620) is an opera in two acts composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by... Read more
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Dies at the Age of 35
The composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died at 1:00 am on 5 December 1791 at the age of 35, following a short illness. Mozart fell ill while in... Read more
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Beethoven's Ascent to Greatness
In July 1792 the renowned composer Haydn passed through Bonn on his way to Vienna. He met Beethoven and was impressed, and perhaps disturbed,... Read more