Mozart Memorial Day

What Is Mozart Memorial Day?

December 5th is Mozart Memorial Day, marking the death of the Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on December 5, 1791. He was 35 years old.

An Enormous Body of Work in 35 Years

Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756 and toured widely as a performer from early childhood. He left works across every genre: symphonies, concertos, operas and chamber music.

• Date of death: December 5, 1791
• Age: 35
• Birthplace: Salzburg, Austria (born 1756)
• Major works: the operas "The Marriage of Figaro" and "The Magic Flute," Symphony No. 40, "Eine kleine Nachtmusik"

The Unfinished Requiem

The last work Mozart was engaged on was his Requiem, a mass for the dead. He died partway through composing it, and the version performed today was completed by a pupil. The circumstance of writing a requiem in the weeks before his own death has fed countless stories since.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Listen to one Mozart work all the way through
• Read about how the Requiem came to be completed
• Look for a year-end classical concert near you
• Switch today's background music to classical while you work

Music Still Sounding After Two Centuries

Works written in a life of 35 years are still performed in concert halls worldwide. December 5th is a day to listen.