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| Mozart's father took his son on a number of tours of Europe to show off his prodigious musical skills. |
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| Couldn't resist. Is "Miss Piggy" the world's most famous pig? Could she hit a "G sharp" or would she be a bit "pitchy" as the judges say on "American Idol"? |
Piano variation of Mozart's famous song, and it's
not just for children.
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| Mozart wrote this as a young child, 4-5 years old. |
NOTE:
In 1958 a singing group called "The Elegants" came out with a song that was a huge hit. It was titled "Where Are You Little Star?" Listen to the lyrics and you will hear that some of the words from "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" by Mozart are borrowed and used in this song.
Clip from "Amadeus" that displays Mozart's natural
talent. A later scene in the film during which he plays
the piano upside-down and backwards is amazing
to watch. Please note that the keys are black
talent. A later scene in the film during which he plays
the piano upside-down and backwards is amazing
to watch. Please note that the keys are black
on the pianoforte, opposite of the modern piano.
One of Mozart’s famous contemporaries, Franz Joseph Haydn, made a playful bet with Mozart. He wagered a case of champagne that he (Haydn) could write a piece of music that Mozart could not play. Mozart accepted the challenge.
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| Haydn made an unusual bet with Mozart. Also, notice that the keys in this picture are white, not black. A historical error? |
When the day of reckoning came, Mozart sat at his pianoforte and proceeded to play the music Haydn had written. The music, as the piece went on, required Mozart’s hands to perform further and further apart on the keyboard. The last notes of the piece approached, and just as Mozart’s right and left hands were playing them, he noticed that, simultaneously, there was a single note to be played that was placed in the middle of the keyboard - an impossibility because his hands were busy at both ends of the instrument. Thinking fast, as he played the final notes at either end of the keyboard, his face shot down quickly to the indicated key/note and played it with his nose!! Haydn had tried to trick Mozart, but Mozart had outsmarted Haydn. Mozart collected his case of champagne and he shared it with everyone in attendance, a marvelous time being had by all.
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| Haydn and Mozart toasted each other after Mozart won the bet. Champagne had been invented in France during the 1600s by a French monk named Dom Perignon. |
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| Dom Perignon, the French monk who invented champagne. |
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| Now you know where the name of this world famous champagne comes from. |
NOTE:
When monk Dom Perignon first tasted the extremely "bubbly" wine that he had created he is reported to have exclaimed,"I'm tasting stars!" That's how, in my imagination, the connection between champagne and Mozart ("Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star") was made. The bet made by Haydn with Mozart also reinforced the connection.
This is a short video about the history of champagne hosted by Martha Stewart. A concise rendition of the basic facts. She actually takes you to see the place in France where it was invented.
COME BACK AGAIN FOR A VISIT.
CONNECTING MOZART, MISS PIGGY AND DOM PERIGNON WAS FUN TO DO.