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Mozart's First European Tour 1763

Aged 7, Mozart with Family Went on First Grand Tour in 1763-1766

Sep 29, 2007 Tel Asiado

Account of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's first 'grand tour' of Europe with his family, and what he was composing from 7 to 10 years of age.

The Mozart family set out on a 3-year European tour that began on June 1763 when Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was aged 7. Leopold Mozart wished to present his children, Nannerl and Wolfgang, in the courts of Europe. The tour lasted until November 29, 1766.

Leopold Mozart hoped that his children's talents as prodigies might be recognized, rewarded, and perhaps, be conferred status they deserve.

1763. When Mozart was 7 years old

  • June 9 1763. The Mozarts set out from Salzburg on a journey across Europe. They took in Munich, Augsburg, Ludwigsburg, Schwetzingen, Mainz, Frankfurt, Coblenz, Aix-la-Chapelle, Brussels, Paris, and Versailles.
  • November 18 1763. The Mozarts arrived in Paris.
  • During this year 1763, Mozart was composing more violin sonatas.

1764. When Mozart was 8 years old

  • The tour continued with more performances for royalty: King Louis XV, Paris and King George III, London.
  • January 1. The Mozarts were present for dinner at the French court. Mme. de Pompadour (the king's mistress) remained aloof although the royal family treated them kindly. Leopold Mozart received 1200 livres or fifty louis d'or.
  • March. Mozart dedicated his two Sonatas Op. 1 to Princess Victoire, second daughter of the French King.
  • 10 April. The Mozarts left Paris for London, arriving on April 23. Mozart met J.C. Bach and composed his first symphony.
  • 27 April. Wolfgang and Nannerl played before King George III and Queen Charlotte, for which their father received 24 guineas. They were received again on 19th May and 25th October.
  • Mozart was composing more violin sonatas, but also finds time to write his first symphony during this year.
  • His first pieces of music were published.

1765. When Mozart was 9 years old

  • Stayed in London for the first half of the year, before traveling to The Hague to perform for Prince William V of Orange.
  • Their journey took them via Canterbury, Dover, Calais, Lille and Antwerp.
  • January 18. Mozart dedicated six Sonatas for Harpsichord and Violin Op.3 to Queen Charlotte.
  • July 24. The Mozarts departed from London, stayed in Kent and reached Dover on August 1, after which they sailed to Calais.
  • September 4. After a month spent in Lille, the Mozarts traveled via Ghent, Antwerp and Rotterdam to The Hague. Both Nannerl and Wolfgang fell ill with intestinal typhoid (typhus).
  • Emperor Francis Stephen died and was replaced by his son, who became Joseph II.
  • Mozart composed Symphony No. 5 end of this year.

1766. When Mozart was 10 years old

  • The travels continued, with appointments in Utrecht, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Paris, Dijon, Lyons, Geneva, Lausanne, Berne, Zurich and Munich.
  • January 22. The Mozart children were well enough from typhus to play in a concert in The Hague. They traveled to Amsterdam, performing in public on January 29 and February 26. They then returned to The Hague, where they remained for most of March, performing on March 11.
  • April. The Mozarts performed again in Amsterdam, then traveled to Paris via Utrecht, Antwerp, Malines and Brussels.
  • They reached Paris on 10 May and stayed until July 9.
  • August 20. They moved to Geneva, then went on to Lausanne, Berne and Zürich, where they remained until 10 October.
  • November 8. The last lap of their tour. The Mozarts reached Munich and returned to Salzburg on November 29.
  • Mozart composed more violin sonatas.

Mozart's Related Links

Sources:

Mozart by Hugh Ottaway, Salem House (1979) [Graciously thanking my friend, Annie Ottaway Hall, for gifting me a copy of this book.]

The Chronicle of Classical Music by Alan Kendall, Thames and Hudson (1994)

T. Asiado's Collection of Information

The copyright of the article Mozart's First European Tour 1763 in Classical Music is owned by Tel Asiado. Permission to republish Mozart's First European Tour 1763 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
W.A. Mozart, Music with Ease W.A. Mozart
   

Comments

Mar 6, 2009 8:48 AM
Guest :
i like the info
Mar 15, 2009 7:28 AM
Guest :
love the info!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mar 16, 2009 1:32 PM
Guest :
mozarts the best.
3 Comments
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