As a music historian with a deep interest in the lives and works of the great composers, I am often asked about the early years of prodigies like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The question of Mozart's age when he wrote his first song is a fascinating one and has been the subject of some scholarly debate.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, on January 27, 1756. His father, Leopold Mozart, was a composer and musician himself and recognized the musical talent in his son at a very young age. Mozart's sister, Maria Anna, also known as Nannerl, was a talented musician and played a significant role in his early musical education.

The earliest documented compositions by Mozart are his three piano sonatas, K. 1a, 1b, and 1c, which were composed in 1761. However, the exact age at which Mozart composed these pieces is a matter of debate. Some scholars suggest that Mozart was as young as four years old when he began composing these works, while others argue that he was likely five. The reason for the debate lies in the fact that Mozart's father, Leopold, was known to have been somewhat vague about the exact dates of his son's early compositions.

It is important to note that Mozart's early musical education was not limited to composition. He was also a prodigious performer, and by the time he was six years old, he was already performing on the harpsichord and violin, in addition to the piano. His father took him on tours throughout Europe, where he performed for royalty and other notable figures.

The three piano sonatas mentioned earlier, K. 1a, 1b, and 1c, are significant because they represent the beginning of Mozart's published works. They were published in 1764, when Mozart was eight years old. These sonatas are not just child's play; they show a level of sophistication and understanding of musical form that is impressive, even for an adult composer of the time.

Mozart's early compositions, including his first song, were undoubtedly influenced by the music he heard around him. His father's collection of music, as well as the works of other composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, would have been part of Mozart's musical diet from a very young age.

In conclusion, while there is some debate about whether Mozart was four or five years old when he composed his first musical compositions, it is clear that he was already demonstrating extraordinary musical talent at a very young age. His first three pieces of music, K. 1a, 1b, and 1c, composed within a few weeks of each other, are a testament to his prodigious abilities. The fact that these works were published when he was just eight years old further underscores the remarkable nature of Mozart's early achievements in music.

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There is some scholarly debate about whether Mozart was four or five years old when he created his first musical compositions, though there is little doubt that Mozart composed his first three pieces of music within a few weeks of each other: K. 1a, 1b, and 1c.read more >>