Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria in January 1756.
His father was a minor composer and musician to the court orchestra of the Archbishop of Salzburg.
Mozart had an astonishing talent for music and at the age of five composed some of his own pieces.
His father, Leopold, give up his own career to foster his son's prodigious talent.
In his formative years, the family traveled extensively in Europe where Leopold showed off the talent of his children -- his daughter Nanneri and his son, the child prodigy Wolfgang.
From 1773 to 1777, Wolfgang was employed as a court musician to the Archbishop of Salzburg during which time he refined his skills.
But he was frustrated because of the lowly salary paid to him.
In 1781, he started working for the Archbishop of Vienna.
He was somewhat badly treated which left him disgruntled and seeking other avenues.
In August 1782, he married Constanza Weber with whom he had six children.
In Vienna, he composed some of his finest works including 15 piano concertos before 1786.
In 1786, he commenced work on the first of his three comic operas.
Mozart and his family lived in Vienna for the rest of his life.
From 1788 onwards his fortunes declined.
He went through dire financial circumstances, a matter of grave concern.
He fell ill whilst in Prague, suffering from pain, swelling and vomiting which eventually confined him to bed.
At the time he was working on his Requiem.
Finishing it had become an obsession.
He died in December 1971, his affliction still undiagnosed and was buried in a common grave in the presence of only four mourners.
Mozart was one of the greatest musicians the world has ever known.