Every music lover wants to know more about their musical idols. Long gone are the days when interesting and important information mined bit by bit, collected newspapers and magazine clippings about their favorite musicians, let each other read them and exchanged articles. Today, to find out news, read interviews with artists or the history of a group, just go online. But for those who are interested in everything related to idols, this is not enough. Books about your favorite performers and composers are tangible, material things that give you the opportunity to literally touch the world of performers.
Today you can easily find many books dedicated to music in stores. These are biographies and autobiographies of musicians, stories of various groups, books on music theory and textbooks for those who want to learn a musical instrument themselves. New publications about music are published regularly. Every music lover will find something for themselves in this abundance.
Each song has its own story
Would you like to attend a rehearsal of your favorite rock band? How about finding out how musicians compose their hits, and what is behind each of their songs? If your answer is yes, then the Stories Behind the Songs series is for you!This series includes books about the most popular and beloved performers in the world. You will learn the fascinating stories of rock bands, the authors will introduce you to the secrets of the creation of all studio albums and major hit compositions, and tell stories about the events that influenced the writing of songs.
Each book in the series contains huge amount photographs illustrating creative path performers and groups. Many of these photographs are being published for the first time.
Among the new products in the series, we can highlight a book dedicated to the band Radiohead. Author and musicologist James Doheny, who wrote this book, tells the story of each song of this famous group.
Previously, books about such bands as U2, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Abba and other teams who wrote songs recognized modern classics. The absolutely legendary “Beatles” and “Rollings” were not spared either.
Musical legends and idols
Another great series for connoisseurs of quality music. In the books in the series you will find excerpts from interviews with musicians, information about their personal lives and views. Particularly worth noting are the books “Rammstein. Burning Hearts", "David Bowie: Meetings and Interviews", as well as "Motorhead. On autopilot."For those who love our
The world rock scene is great, but what can you read about our domestic rock stars? For those who prefer Russian live music, we can recommend the books of the “Legends of Russian Rock” series, in which eleven publications have already been published about various musicians and groups.In these books you will find stories about the history of Russian rock. The history of some performers stretches over several decades, but even the debut works of these musicians are still listened to and loved today. This, perhaps, is the phenomenon of Russian rock music: it is relevant at all times.
Among the new products in the series, I would like to note the book “Pavel Kashin. Along the magic river" – honest and frank story one of the most popular contemporary domestic performers and authors. Pavel Kashin remains aloof from high-profile parties, but his songs are known and loved by millions.
Another group, “The King and the Clown,” was awarded two whole books published in the “Legends of Russian Rock” series. In addition, the series includes publications dedicated to such groups as “Chaif”, “Nautilus Pompilius”, “Kino”, “Secret” and “Resurrection”. By the way, the group “The King and the Jester,” already mentioned above, is so popular that books about it continue to be published not only in this series. The “Old Book” /book/korol-i-shut-staraya-kniga-833644/ was recently released - a unique collection of drafts, thanks to which every fan of the group can immerse themselves in creative process, learn how songs were created, and read many poems that never became songs.
Books for connoisseurs of symphonic music
For those who want to know more about modern musicians and composers who have already become classics, we can recommend the series of books “Eternal Music. Illustrated biographies of great musicians." The authors of the works published in this series were people who personally knew Shostakovich, Richter, Prokofiev and other heroes of these biographies.For example, the book of memoirs of Sergei Rachmaninoff is the only genuine memoir document - the composer’s story about himself. Unfortunately, Rachmaninov did not leave detailed autobiography. Musicologist Oskar von Riesemann recorded his memoirs genius composer- This book was first published in 1934 in London.
Another musician, the first Grammy Award winner in the USSR, Svyatoslav Richter, is described in the book “About Richter in His Words.” Richter himself approved the publication of this book.
Book by Valentina Chemberdzhi “Music lived in the house. Shostakovich. Prokofiev. Richter" is not a memoir, but rather sketches for portraits of musical figures in the dramatic context of the country's history. These pages contain not only stories about Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Richter, but also about other, undeservedly forgotten, but worthy of admiration people.
Other books about music
“Music of my life. Memoirs of a Maestro" is a book written by Raymond Pauls– the father of Latvian pop music, whose songs are known and loved not only in Latvia, but also in Russia, as well as throughout the world. He earned many awards, titles, and became a laureate of a number of prizes. But these regalia are almost never mentioned next to his name. For millions of people, Raymond Pauls remains the owner of one “title” - Maestro."Voice. Musical literacy for vocalists" is a publication that will be useful to everyone who wants to take their first steps into the world of music theory. Despite the title, the book is addressed not only to vocalists, but also to to a wide circle readers who want to learn more about music.
“Immersion in Music” is a book by Mikhail Kazinik, also known as “Secrets of Geniuses-2”.
In this work famous philosopher, art critic, director, playwright Mikhail Kazinik introduces readers to the peculiarities of creativity famous composers, reveals the secrets of impact different types music on the listener, appeals to eternal themes good and evil, death and immortality, love, passion, obsession. Learn the secrets of music by reading this book!
“Music as a chance” - book famous musician Vladislav Kolchin. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. There is no cure for this disease, which affects many people around the world. Except, perhaps, music... This is a very personal book about music, filled with a lot of autobiographical details.
A book with the simple title “Music” is not simple at all.
This is quite a voluminous publication, on the pages of which the world of music is presented in all its diversity of styles, trends and genres. The authors made a successful attempt to cover this world as fully as possible.
Quotes about creativity. Musicians and singers about creativity
MUSICIANS AND SINGERS ABOUT CREATIVITY
You have to feel strongly for others to feel.
I decisively and sternly expelled the pernicious Russian “maybe” from my working life and relied only on conscious creative effort. I generally don’t believe in the saving power of talent alone, without hard work. Without it, the greatest talent will fizzle out, just as a spring will die out in the desert... I don’t remember who said: “genius is diligence”...
They envy the capable, harm the talented, and take revenge on the brilliant.
Fyodor Ivanovich Chaliapin
I generally don’t believe in the power of talent alone, without hard work. Without it, the greatest talent will fizzle out, just as a spring will die out in the desert, not making its way through the sands...
Fyodor Ivanovich Chaliapin
It is interesting to observe how an artist's creativity depends on the growth or degradation of his inner self! The work of any artist is nothing more than the pursuit of truth, simplicity, authenticity.
A musician is not a profession, but a nationality.
The music should be loud enough to drown out the coughing of the audience, and quiet enough to not drown out the storm of applause.
Leonid Utesov
What we play is life.
I owe you nothing but a good game.
Be creative person- it's more than just being different from others. Anyone can be weird, it's easy. It is difficult to be as simple and great at the same time as Bach. Making things simple, incredibly simple - this is creativity.
Charles Mingus (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979), American jazz double bassist and composer
I'm obsessed with improvement.
Charles Aznavour
I worked like a beast all my life. Until I was sixty, I had never been on vacation.
Charles Aznavour
Sincerity is always relevant on stage. The French chansonnier is simultaneously a mime, a tragedian and a poet. And none of these hypostases allows you to hide your personality behind a mask.
Charles Aznavour
If I knew where they come from good songs, I would try to go there much more often.
Leonard Cohen
Creative people, as we know, die if there are no opportunities for self-realization.
With music everything is much simpler. It happens that a melody comes to my mind when I’m preparing dinner, then I drop everything, go get my guitar and sit down to play right in the kitchen. I once recorded an entire disc like this...
I believe that music is the voice of a special spirit, whose task is to collect the dreams of the world, and which, passing through the consciousness of people, is able to settle, even if short time, their discord, or shake souls by destroying social inconveniences.
Adriano Celentano
If you do something beautiful and sublime, and no one notices, don’t be upset: the sunrise is generally the most beautiful sight in the world, but most people are still sleeping at this time.
John Lennon (October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980) - British rock musician, one of the founders and member of The Beatles.
When I was about twelve years old, I often thought that I was probably a genius, but no one noticed. I thought: “I’m either a genius or crazy. Which one? I can’t be crazy, because I’m not in a mental hospital. That means I'm a genius." I want to say that genius is apparently a form of madness.
John Lennon
I lost the most important thing for an artist - freedom of creativity, because I allowed myself to be enslaved by imposed ideas of what an artist should be.
John Lennon
Talent is the ability to believe in success. It’s complete nonsense when they say that I suddenly discovered a talent in myself. I was just working.
John Lennon
It's not me that matters, it's my songs that matter. I'm just a postman delivering songs.
When I watch the news, I realize that the world is ruled by those who never listen to music.
Bob Dylan
Music changes faster than you can change.
Aretha Franklin (born March 25, 1942), American singer in the styles of rhythm and blues, soul and gospel
Politics and creativity are incompatible things.
Paul McCartney (born June 18, 1942), British musician, singer, co-founder The group Beatles
If I'm free, it's only because I'm working.
Music is my religion.
Jimi Hendrix
In order to discover the laws belonging to the world of primary images, the artist must awaken to life as a person: almost all of his noble feelings, a considerable share of intelligence, intuition, and the desire to create must be developed in him.
The laws of Art originate not in the material, but in ideal world Where Beauty dwells, matter can only indicate the boundaries within which artistic inspiration extends.
Delia Steinberg Guzman
If you ever actually wrote music, you will continue to do so.
George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001), English rock musician, singer and composer
Inspiration surrounds you from all sides, and in everyday life there is more of it.
Mick Jagger (born July 26, 1943), English rock musician, vocalist of The Rolling Stones
Real poetry doesn't say anything, it only points out possibilities. Opens all doors. You can open any one that suits you.
We just played what we wanted. It is impossible to invent something artificially. This must be endured like a child. Or bring it out like a flower. What does cold reasoning mean when you have a living instrument in your hands, and it breathes, it cries, it wants to tell the whole world something?
The good thing about music is that when it hits you, you don't feel any pain.
Talent can help with your debut, and then only work on improving your skills.
Modern painting is just like women: you will never enjoy it if you try to understand it.
Freddie Mercury (September 5, 1946 - November 24, 1991), British singer, vocalist of the rock band Queen
I don't want to become some kind of star, I will become a legend.
Freddie Mercury
I am absolutely cold and indifferent to everything. But then, I ask myself, where does this vibrant source of creative energy come from? I don't understand. Songs David Bowie do not belong to me - I only release them through myself into this world. Then I listen and am amazed: their author, whoever he was, at least experienced strong feelings! It is not possible for me to know such people.
David Bowie
The main method is simple: you need to bring people to a state where they are simply forced to react to me. I love shock tactics. In my opinion, creativity that does not shock is devoid of any meaning.
David Bowie
The greatest chances for success are those groups in which real like-minded friends play; professionalism is a gain; a unifying idea is important.
Music has healing powers. She can force you to leave your body for a few hours so that you can finally look at yourself from the outside.
Elton John
I have always been only interested in the artistic side of life.
Any science about man, one way or another, faces the eternal debate - what is more important in the development of personality: natural qualities or upbringing? Proponents of both opinions tend to reduce this debate to clear-cut answers, but, fortunately, recent research has shown that the situation is a little different. It turns out that we are quite capable of influencing who we become. T&P translated an excerpt from the new book by famous business coach Miles Downey, “The Genius in Each of Us,” about the history of these points of view, the secrets of Mozart’s genius, and how a person’s genes react to their external environment.
Francis Galton (1822–1911) - English explorer, geographer, anthropologist and psychologist, founder of differential psychology and psychometrics, statistician.
Disputes about the priority of one over the other, the interconnections and mutual influences of nature and nurture on each other began in mid-19th century from the works of Francis Galton. In a simplified form, nature is all the innate qualities of a person, its genetic heritage, and education is external elements, social and cultural, that influence what a person will become: how his parents treat him, what and how he is taught at school and university, what he faces in life and how his relationships with others develop.
Radicals who stand on the side of nature and are passionate about biopsychology argue, for example, that all features of human behavior, down to the smallest character traits, are nothing more than the result of evolution. There is nothing strange in this point of view, especially considering that one of its first and most ardent proponents, Francis Galton, was cousin Charles Darwin. On the other side of the barricades are behaviorists, convinced that all human actions are determined primarily by his existence in the social environment. One of the most prominent and famous supporters of this idea is the English educator and philosopher John Locke (1632–1704). Studying the personality from its very birth, he came to the conclusion that the consciousness of the child in the womb is a tabula rasa, that is, a blank slate, something virgin and untouched, filled with experience over time. This idea is directly opposite to the idea that some knowledge is inherent in us from birth - and by nature itself.
The behaviorist method of carrot and stick and the desire to please the authorities still remain the main ones driving forces management
The idea of the priority of nature dominated society until the middle of the 20th century. To understand why, it is enough to imagine the cultural and social atmosphere of that era. The idea that man himself could influence who he would become in the future was too revolutionary to be accepted lightly. People had to know their place in society, otherwise hard workers would refuse to work in the fields and factories, soldiers would refuse to die on the battlefield, servants would refuse to respect the rich and powerful. Even in the second half of the century, the behaviorist carrot-and-stick approach and the desire to please superiors remained - and still remain - the main driving forces of management. Few people seriously care about creating intrinsic motivation among employees and providing them with opportunities for growth.
Ten year rule
The real breakthrough that broke the impasse came with the publication of a paper by Swedish psychologist Anders Ericsson and his colleagues entitled “The Role of Deliberate Practice in Achieving Outstanding Results.” The study was based on the experience gained by the scientist while working on a project at the American University of Carnegie Mellon, dedicated to studying the characteristics of memory. With the help of William Chase and an anonymous ordinary student, Ericsson conducted an experiment to significantly improve memory skills. The results showed that when making the right choice techniques and sufficient intensity of training, the subject is able to remember and reproduce from memory up to 80 numbers. Biological characteristics were unrelated to this ability. This discovery was the beginning of a long 30-year journey for Ericsson to promote the concept of talent and convince many doubters of it.
Those who were previously considered gifted turned out to be hard workers, whose main advantage was the ability to study persistently and methodically
Later - in 1991, already at Florida State University - he conducted perhaps his most famous research. The experimental group consisted of students from the violin department of the Berlin Academy of Music. Together with two colleagues, Ericsson tried to determine what factors cause highest achievements in art. That's what the experiment was about. The students were divided into three groups according to their qualifications. The first group included the best of the best - violinists who were destined for a unique solo career And worldwide recognition. In the second - students whose abilities allowed them to count on places in the most famous orchestras. The third group includes potential practicing teachers. After lengthy and insightful interviews, the researchers found what they were looking for: it turned out that the most extraordinary talents, by the time they turned 20, had more than ten years of playing experience under their belts - an average of about 10 thousand hours of exercises and rehearsals. All without exception. The second group could boast 8 thousand hours, the third - only 4 thousand (again on average). Those who were previously considered gifted turned out to be hard workers, whose main advantage was the ability to study persistently and methodically.
Similar studies were subsequently undertaken more than once: experimental groups were made up of representatives from various spheres of human activity. But the results were unchanged. Thanks to Ericsson's work, the ten-year rule, or the 10,000-hour rule, has reliably come into use among psychologists. As the British athlete Mohammed Farah, who won two gold medals at once, said in an interview with the BBC, Olympic Games ah 2012 in London (including for the 10 thousand meters race), “the secret of success is hard work and determination.”
Musical genius
As an example of a person who is brilliant and gifted (that is, one who demonstrates his talent from the very beginning) early childhood, becoming more and more virtuoso without any special training) are very fond of bringing Mozart. He didn't leave the piano until he was three, wrote his first piece at age five, and toured Europe when he was six.
But look how many interesting things you can learn by looking at his biography a little more closely. Let's take, for starters, his older sister Maria Anna, who played the harpsichord superbly thanks to constant lessons with her father. That is, Mozart heard music from early childhood and saw people constantly practicing musical instrument. It is not surprising that one day he began to repeat after his sister. Wolfgang Amadeus's father, Leopold, was a prominent musician, composer and teacher, and a very progressive teacher: his methods are very reminiscent of the Suzuki method (it seems so not only to me, but to everyone who is interested in issues of education). He got busy musical education son the minute he saw his interest, and devoted most of his life to him - with amazing results. There is nothing surprising, however, in this result: with such a foundation, Mozart simply had no choice but to become a genius. And one more thing: some critics argue that early works Mozart's works are not that good compared to the more mature ones, which he began writing at the age of 17, a little more than ten years after his debut.
Ping pong champion
Matthew Seed tells a similar story in his bestselling book, The Jump. He became Britain's top ping pong player in 1995, when he was 24. The story is remarkable for at least two things: thousands of hours of practice and a lot of luck. Matthew says that when he was eight years old (the family then lived in Reading), his parents bought a ping-pong table and set it up in the garage. They themselves had never played this game, so they had no idea family tradition there is no need to talk. They just had a very large garage - compared to their neighbors, at least. Matthew's first partner was his older brother Andrew. They were so carried away by the game that they did not leave the table for hours, testing each other, training their skills and coming up with new techniques. All these factors, converging at one time in one place, gave Matthew the opportunity to train.
“Without even realizing it, we spent thousands and thousands endlessly at the table happy hours", he writes. Luck came in the form of a local school teacher, Mr. Charters, who was responsible for extracurricular activities, including - incredibly, but true - for table tennis. He was also one of the best, if not the best, English coach and in this capacity he was in charge of the local ping-pong club, where he invited the Sid brothers to play and train after school, on holidays and weekends. The guys were lucky to be born in a land rich in talent, so they had the opportunity to train not only with local champions, but also with national and even world champions. Andrew managed to win three national junior titles. For Matthew, fate had something special in store for him. It so happened that it was at this very time that the legendary Chen Xinhua - perhaps the best player in the history of ping pong - married a woman from Yorkshire and moved to these parts. He had already finished his career, but when he saw Matthew, he agreed to train him. After this meeting the young man for many years remained number one in England, became Commonwealth champion three times and Olympic champion twice. By his own admission, if he had just been born on another street, none of this would have happened. We are, however, not so much interested in luck as in long years of hard training - as the main component of future success.
Genes and environment
However, you probably already guessed that in the confrontation between nature and nurture, not everything is so simple. The first cloud to eclipse rising sun supporters of education began to doubt the fairness of the ten-year rule. It turned out that 4 thousand hours was enough for some, while 22 thousand was not enough for others. More and more such examples were collected, and eventually exceptions began to disprove the rule. It turned out that if you take two people, one of whom has obvious abilities for a particular type of activity, and the other does not, and train them according to the same program, the first will progress much faster than the second. So, it's not just a matter of practice.
Then everything becomes even more confusing - to the point that, at first glance, some theses even contradict each other. Stefan Holm - a Swedish athlete, high jumper - spent many years on grueling training, wanting to bring his technique to perfection. Despite his large physique for his chosen sport, Stefan - shining example rules for ten years: in 2004 he became an Olympic gold medalist. So, education is the key to success? Yes, but not so. How, say, can we explain the phenomenon of Donald Thomas, a player on the basketball team at Lindenwood University, who, without the proper equipment or any significant training, easily cleared the bar of 2 meters 21 centimeters, and completely unexpectedly for himself? That same year he was invited to the Bahamas national team, and in 2007 at the World Championships he beat Stefan Holm in the battle for first place. The secret of Donald's success was the abnormal length of the Achilles tendons, thanks to which he jumped as if on springs: the ligaments themselves pushed the body upward. His story is a clear argument for the superiority of nature. Both athletes were the brightest figures of their time, reaching the top of the sports Olympus. But they got there by different paths.
Reading this, you might be thinking that these two fates are a clear example of the age-old “nature vs. nurture” battle, even in some ways its culmination. But it's not quite like that. The conjunction “or” means that we must choose one thing; we have no right to leave both options. Those who believe in nature consider genes as a kind of blueprint on which personality is then built. Proponents of education, on the contrary, deny the existence of any genetic predisposition. But for some reason neither one nor the other takes into account the fact that genes themselves are able to respond to their environment.
This is what Lino Paso Pampillon and Tamara Cutrin Miljan write in one of the articles of the Enabling Genius project:
Since the end of the Human Genome Project in 2003, scientists have realized that humans have about 20,500 genes (about the same as a mouse) and that the genome is only a small part of the evolving personality. Much more important role secondary, epigenetic factors play. Epigenetics refers to chemical changes that directly affect DNA sequence. Essentially, it determines how genes respond to a particular environment. Researchers often compare genetics to a piano keyboard: the resulting melody depends on which keys we press and how we press them. Some will hear a Mozart concerto, others will hear the discordant scales of a neighbor who has recently started learning to play.
Flow
I cannot end this chapter without telling you about one more aspect of higher achievement that is currently being researched very actively - the so-called flow. Flow is a special state of mind that differs from a fixed genetic set in that it can be turned on and off. Many years ago, my wife Jo paid for me to take a glider course as a birthday gift. I was somewhat familiar with flying machines because as a child I often flew with my father: he was a licensed pilot and belonged to a small amateur club located on the outskirts of Dublin airport. He first took to the skies in his early 20s: during the Second World War, he had the opportunity to pilot Spitfires and Hurricanes - legendary and extraordinary machines in all respects.
Once he was shot down in the sky over Normandy, and he was saved only by a miracle, getting out of the burning plane literally at the last moment. The sky was in his blood, and he perceived every flight as a special and extremely important event. I think it was inherited, so Joe's gift caused a whole storm of emotions in me. Flying on gliders is very different from flying on airplanes - if only in that in case of an error the pilot does not have an engine with which this error could be corrected. Relax your attention a little - and now the device has already deviated from the desired course and is rapidly losing altitude. Get more distracted and you won’t be able to do without a parachute. The instructor taught me on the fly - right during training flights, opening his mouth only when it was really necessary, because thanks to my father, I already had piloting experience. And yet, every time I heard the instructor’s voice, I was distracted. And then one fine day - we were just practicing a turn and approach - he suddenly realized this and threw out a phrase in the middle: “Yes, *** [damn], just fly!” And I flew. He freed me. Gave me complete control. I was extremely concentrated and at the same time relaxed, I became one with my glider. And entering the turn, I practically did not lose any altitude. This is the state of flow. The moment when genius reaches its peak.
The term “flow” was first coined by the American scientist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, published in 1990, when he was head of the psychology department at the University of Chicago. This is how he describes flow: “Being fully involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego drops away. Time flies. Every action, movement, thought follows from the previous one, as if you were playing jazz. Your whole being is involved, and you use your skills to the limit.” It is the use of all your skills to the limit that makes the state of flow so important in achieving the highest results.”
We have the power to influence who we become. Every moment of our life, every action is controlled to one degree or another by consciousness - and flow has nothing to do with it, because everyone can turn on this mode. There are at least three variables in the “genius equation”: our genetic heritage, our environment, and our mental state. We can easily determine two of them ourselves, so an excuse like “I am who I am” is nothing more than vulgar sophism.
Geniuses, young geniuses, very young geniuses... What names come to mind? Probably something like this: Da Vinci, Robertino Loretti... And Mozart, of course! Where would we be without Mozart?
Little wizard Mozart
Mozart is perhaps one of the most famous young geniuses. After all, already in childhood he was admired by the whole of Europe, he was called a little wizard and was invited to speak to the most famous and eminent people of that time.
Genius - of course, you can’t argue with this, but genius is only 10% of success, and the remaining 90% is work and education. So let's try together to see how Mozart was raised and, perhaps, we will find something for raising our children.
Wolfgang was born into a poor family in the mid-18th century. His father was court organist and bandmaster in Salzburg. He was a skilled musician and an excellent violinist and organist. Mozart's mother was a beautiful, cheerful and good-natured woman, and his father was sometimes strict and adamant - completely ordinary family, right?
As much as the mother loved to pamper and cherish her children, the father was strict and demanding. WITH early age he took part in raising children (oh, how modern fathers sometimes lack this), taught them to be orderly and responsible. He himself put the children to bed and sang lullabies.
According to contemporaries, until the age of three, Wolfgang was not much different from other children: he was alive and cheerful boy, often asked if he was loved. The only thing in which his musicality was expressed then: he loved to accompany all his games with songs and music.
Meeting "serious" music
Mozart's encounter with “adult, serious” music began when his five-year-old sister began to be taught to play the harpsichord. Wolfgang was also present at the first lesson, and the lesson made a huge impression on him. After this, the boy could not be torn away from the instrument. The father tried to show him a small minuet - and the boy repeated it flawlessly. Then they started working with him. What can I say? Be more attentive to your kids - especially if they are very interested in something! What if it’s a little genius waking up?
Mozart's father did not want to introduce Wolfgang to the rules of composing music too early, but this did not stop the child from writing his first concerto at the age of 4. His father found him with a pile of music paper, all the sheets were covered in blots and notes, and the boy claimed that he was writing a concerto for the harpsichord and had already finished the first movement. When the elder Mozart figured out the notes and blots, he was amazed: in front of him was a completely correctly written concerto, although it was difficult to perform. Conclusion? Don’t laugh at the little scribbles of our kids, even if they are really not the famous “Sunflowers”, but rather obscure handwritings. Otherwise, we risk forever discouraging the child’s interest in drawing, writing music, writing poetry, etc. etc.
Wolfgang studied very successfully: whatever he did, he devoted himself to the matter with all his soul. He really liked mathematics. True, while solving mathematical problems, the child could write not only on paper, but also on walls, benches, and the floor. When the child sat down at the piano, no one dared to approach him not only with a joke, but even just to speak! At such moments, Wolfgang's face became so serious and concentrated that many, looking at this precocious talent, feared for his longevity.
Early fame and childhood pranks
At the age of six, the Mozarts began traveling around Europe. They moved from city to city, conquering different cities and people. The glory of the extraordinary children (Wolfgang and his gifted sister Nannerl) flew before them. They were received by high-ranking officials and royalty. Unfortunately, there is very little information left about whether such early fame went to the baby’s head and whether he began to suffer from “star fever.”
Most likely not, because Wolfgang did not agree to play in front of people who did not understand music. Even if it was possible to persuade him, he played empty, insignificant things. (Please note: no imposition of his father's will! Leopold gave Wolfgang full right to choose where, when and what to play). And at the court in Vienna, he remained true to himself: he did not agree to play anything serious until they called Wagenseil, one of the best musicians and composers of that time. And perhaps one more thing should be noted important point: the genius of Mozart and the talent of his sister brought their parents considerable money and fame, but the parents remembered that children are, first of all, children who should have a childhood and, of course, children's fun and pranks. A renowned and serious musician, Wolfgang often interrupted his studies to play with the cat or gallop through the rooms on his father's cane.
What conclusions can be drawn from the story of Mozart's childhood? Be attentive to your children, respect their interests, and be sure to create every opportunity for the development of hidden talents. And don’t forget that a child only experiences childhood once in his life; don’t rush to make your baby an adult. And even if you don’t grow up to be a little genius or a great talent, may you just have a happy child!
Natalya Gavrilyastaya
