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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756-1791 The Young Mozart Musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born to Leopold Mozart and his wife Anna Maria Pertl in Salzburg, Austria on January 27, 1756. His father Leopold was a very successful and respected composer, violinist and author. He served as assistant concertmaster at the Salzburg court. To him it was very important that his children be raised in music. He began teaching both Wolfgang and his daughter Maria Anna “Nannerl” at very young ages. He began with his oldest Maria, teaching her to play the piano. Wolfgang being the genius that he was was able to pick up from the teachings of his sister at the age of two. By the age of six, Wolfgang had become an accomplished performer on the clavier, violin and organ. The child was highly skilled in sight-reading and improvisation. He could literally hear music and return home and write exactly what was played earlier. By this time, he began composing minuets and had already written five sets of piano pieces (including the famed twelve variations on the tune “Twinkle Twinkle”). Nannerl was also a very gifted keyboard player. The two were given the name “wunderkind” as they were so great. The Traveler