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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756 - 1791 A remarkable musician and composer, whose legend continues to grow more than two centuries after his death, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1756. Before the age of four, he had exhibited such extraordinary powers of musical memory and ear-sophistication that his father, Leopold (a highly esteemed violinist and composer in his own right) decided to sign young Wolfgang up for harpsichord lessons. Almost from day one, the boy's …

…to poke holes in what is admittedly a fantastical portrait of Mozart's life, and ensuing arguments over his relationship with his musical "rival" Salieri, his method of composing, and the events surrounding his death have created more public misunderstandings about this divine figure than ever existed before. What the recent Mozart vogue has created for the good, however, is increased awareness of his music, which must be counted among the absolute wonders of the world.