Mozart: An Introduction to His Signature and Popular Works
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who had a profound impact on classical music.
He began composing at the age of five, displayed his talents from an early age by performing before European royalty, and left behind more than 800 works during his 35-year life.
He also produced masterpieces in every musical genre of his time and excelled not only as a composer but also as a conductor, pianist, organist, and violinist, earning him the title of a musical genius.
In this article, we introduce some of Mozart’s signature and most popular pieces.
Please enjoy his music—melodies that are catchy and familiar, yet of high quality and imbued with a charm that defies simple description.
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[Mozart] Introducing Representative and Popular Works (161–170)
String Quartet No. 19 in C major, K. 465 “Dissonance,” First MovementWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
One of the six string quartets known as the “Haydn Set,” dedicated to Haydn, a representative composer of the Classical era.
Because its first movement opens with an introduction full of dissonances, it is nicknamed the “Dissonance.” The sonorities were hard to comprehend at the time, and when the work was published, they were even thought to be the result of a copying error.
It is said that this piece is Mozart’s musical representation of the profound impression made on him by his initiation ritual into the Freemasons.
The striking contrast between the dissonant opening and the subsequent melodies is a defining feature.
String Quartet No. 19 in C major, K. 465 “Dissonance”Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
It is nicknamed the “Dissonance” because the first 22 measures of the opening movement feature an introduction full of dissonance.
That dissonant sound was difficult to understand at the time, to the point that, when it was published, some even claimed it must be a copying error.
However, after the introduction, the music becomes characteristically clear and Mozartean, and it ranks among the finest works in chamber music.
It is the last of the six string quartets known as the “Haydn Set,” which Mozart dedicated collectively to Haydn.
“Queen of the Night Aria” from the opera The Magic FluteWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
This is one of the most popular pieces from the operas composed by the classical master Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Premiered in Vienna in September 1791, this opera is known as Mozart’s final masterpiece.
The work is a quintessential coloratura piece that demands highly advanced technique from sopranos, characterized especially by virtuosic singing in the upper register.
For that reason, it is considered a rite of passage for young sopranos, and many singers have gained fame through this piece.
In the drama, it is sung in the scene where the Queen of the Night orders her daughter Pamina to kill her nemesis, Sarastro.
Its content expresses a complex mix of maternal love and a thirst for revenge, heightening the dramatic effect.
It is recommended for women who are interested in classical music.
The duty of the First CommandmentWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
It is said to be one of Mozart’s early stage works and is sometimes classified as an oratorio.
Remarkably, he wrote it at the age of eleven, yet the piece already exhibits Mozart’s characteristic lightness and elegance.
Unfortunately, aside from the autograph score of the first part, the rest has been lost, and it is now rarely performed.
Requiem K.626 – 7.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
This is the Requiem (a mass for the dead) composed by Mozart, the genius Austrian musician of the 18th century.
It was his final work, left unfinished at his death, and in the film Amadeus—based on Peter Shaffer’s play—it is used alongside the episode in which his confidant Salieri has him write it as a requiem for Mozart’s own death.
Brimming with brilliance, it is a masterpiece that evokes both the terror of approaching death and the serene beauty of the world beyond.
Ave verum corpus (Mozart)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Since it’s a Mass, many composers have works with the same title, but the one I’d like to introduce is Mozart’s Ave verum corpus.
While the most basic form is a church choir performance, this piece is also used in instrumental renditions rather than vocal ones.
In the featured video, it is performed by a male four-part ensemble.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little StarWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is a melody with a certain nostalgia that naturally soothes the heart—no wonder it’s beloved by many in Japan.
It wouldn’t be surprising if some people mistake it for a Japanese children’s song, but in fact, the original tune was an 18th-century French chanson, and it became globally popular as a nursery rhyme through English lyrics set to the melody.
Because the tune is simple, it’s often the first piece played by young beginners learning piano, and sheet music arranged to be played with the left hand only is also available.
For adults returning to the piano, especially those who struggle with the left hand, starting with this piece could be a great idea!
