Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Austrian pianist and composer, a "freelance professional," prodigious musician of the Classical period. Considered by many the greatest genius in Western musical history. Complex, deep, emotional, technically perfect music, with sometimes dissonant harmonies.
"People are wrong who think my art comes easily to me.
I assure you, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to composition as I."
"We cannot despair about mankind, knowing that Mozart was a man."
Best known works: symphonies, sonatas, concertos, quartets, operas: Don Giovanni, Magic Flute, Marriage of Figaro, and Requiem mass