Final Years
Donald Macleod focuses on the final years of Leopold Mozart's life, when he gave up composing and was eclipsed by his son Wolfgang.
He was at the forefront of early symphonic writing and composed a great deal of music across many forms, but he's been largely overshadowed by the popularity of his own son; this week Donald Macleod with Professor Cliff Eisen, explores the life and music of Leopold Mozart.
In the last decade of Leopold Mozart's life, he gave up composing music. His time focused more and more on the support and development of his children. It wasn't all hard work though, and on one occasion Leopold and Wolfgang went to a fancy dress party in Salzburg, where it was likely some of Leopold's music was performed, such as his Serenade in D major.
Leopold was now facing a lonely final few years. His wife Maria Anna had died in Paris, and both Wolfgang and Nannerl had left home and got married. Leopold no longer sought promotion at court, having been passed over a number of times. He did however continue to teach musicians at home, which included regular ensemble sessions, working on pieces like his own Trio Sonata in A major.
Leopold remained proud of his son's achievements, even if he didn't always approve of his behaviour. One contemporary account reports Leopold crying when he heard one of Wolfgang's Violin works. Leopold's own reputation was now becoming more and more eclipsed by his famous son; however, he remains an important early explorer in symphonic writing, such as his Symphony in D major D17.
Last on
More episodes
Next
You are at the last episode
Music Played
-
![]()
Leopold Mozart
Litaniae lauretanae de BVM in E flat s.4.7
Singer: Monica Groop. Performer: Christian Lindberg. Performer: Ann Wallstrom. Performer: Marit Bergman. Performer: Olof Larsson. Performer: Bjorn Gafvert.- BIS: CD548.
- BIS.
- 3.
-
![]()
Leopold Mozart
Litaniae lauretanae de BVM in E flat s.4.7
Performer: Christian Lindberg. Singer: Monica Groop. Performer: Ann Wallstrom. Performer: Marit Bergman. Performer: Olof Larsson. Performer: Bjorn Gafvert. -
![]()
Leopold Mozart
Symphony in C major (Toy)
Orchestra: London Mozart Players. Conductor: Matthias Bamert.- CHANDOS : 104-96.
- CHANDOS.
- 1.
-
![]()
Leopold Mozart
Serenade in D major for orchestra with trumpet & trombone soli
Performer: RIAS Berlin Sinfonietta. Performer: Ern艖 Sebesty茅n.- MUSICA MUNDI : CD 311-127.
- MUSICA MUNDI.
- 9.
-
![]()
Leopold Mozart
Trio Sonata in A major
Performer: Christine Schornsheim. Performer: Sebastian Hess.- Oehms:OC8602.
- Oehms.
- 7.
Broadcasts
- Fri 21 Mar 2014 12:00成人快手 Radio 3
- Fri 21 Mar 2014 18:30成人快手 Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time 鈥� why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.