World-famous composers in the annals of our cities

Germany is known as a land of great composers. Their works can be heard around the world - and not least of all in concert halls, churches and cathedrals throughout Germany's historic cities.

Significant musical history was written by Johann Sebastian Bach. His family lived for years in Erfurt. This composer from the period of Baroque is recalled by a tour called "Following Bach through the City". Every year, Erfurt also hosts the "Thüringische Bachwochen" (Thuringian Bach Weeks) - an excellent tradition that offers much for music lovers.

Brahms composed his "Third Symphony" in Wiesbaden, and Wagner worked on his opera "Die Meistersinger of Nürnberg" (The Mastersingers of Nuremberg) in a nearby villa on the Rhine River.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart also has roots in Germany's Historic Highlights cities. His father, Leopold Mozart, was born in Augsburg in a house that is still standing and houses a museum.

Although Bonn, just to the north, is better known as the birthplace of Ludwig von Beethoven, the world's largest private Beethoven exhibition is in Koblenz. It was in the house at Wambachstrasse 204 that the composer's mother, Maria Magdelena, was born in 1746. Today, the "Mutter-Beethoven-Haus" (Mother-Beethoven-House) also houses documents and letters of cultural figures of the period.

Mozart's Inspiration

It would be a mistake to assume that Austria is where the Mozart story is centred. While the story of Mozart's life begins in Salzburg, this is not where his entire story begins. In order to truly understand the rise of a music legend, you must learn about another Mozart, Leopold Mozart - Wolfgang's father. Prior to moving to Salzburg, Leopold was actually raised in Augsburg, Germany.

MOZARTHAUS AUGSBURG from Moenby MEDIA on Vimeo.

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Surpassed only by Vienna and Salzburg, Augsburg is the next most significant city in the life of Wolfgang  Amadeus  Mozart. Paternally, the Mozarts are a Swabian family. The first ancestors of the composer came from today's administrative district of Augsburg. In 1643 the first of these ancestors migrated to and became a citizen of the city of Augsburg. Buildings, monuments and monumental plaques serve as reminders of the Mozarts who themselves were master builders, sculptors and bookbinders. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart traveled to "my daddy's hometown" five times. He experienced his first love affair with his cousin, the Augsburg "Bäsle".

Wolfgang Amadeus' father Leopold Mozart was born on November 14, 1719 in the "Mozarthaus" (Mozart House) (Frauentorstrasse 30). Leopold was the discoverer of his son's musical genius, and served as his music teacher, his only educator and the "manager" of his travels.

The newly decorated Mozart House displays paintings, engravings and artwork related to the Swabian Mozart family, Leopold and Wolfgang Amadeus and the travels of the Mozarts throughout Europe as well as original instruments of this time period. The nearby "Kleiner Goldener Saal Augsburg" (Small Golden Hall Augsburg) serves as a reminder of the school which Leopold Mozart attended.

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The "Mutter-Beethoven-Haus" (Mother-Beethoven-House) was in the former home at Wambachstrasse 204 that the composer's mother, Maria Magdelena, was born in 1746. Today, it also houses documents and letters of cultural figures of the period.

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The "Predigerkirche" (Prediger or Preacher's Church) was built in several stages between 1270 and 1400. Along with the sections of the Prediger monastery that have been preserved, this is one of the foremost examples of mendicant order architecture in the German-language area. Master Eckhart was once prior of the order here. The church has some interesting interior furnishings: choir stalls (13th century) and stained glass windows made with fragments retrieved from the war-damaged church windows (20th century). Regular organ recitals on Wednesdays during the summer.

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