<P> Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (/ ˈwʊlfɡæŋ æməˈdeɪəs ˈmoʊtsɑːrt / MOHT - sart; German: (ˈvɔlfɡaŋ amaˈdeːʊs ˈmoːtsaʁt); 27 January 1756--5 December 1791), baptised as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era . </P> <P> Born in Salzburg, he showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood . Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty . At 17, Mozart was engaged as a musician at the Salzburg court, but grew restless and traveled in search of a better position . While visiting Vienna in 1781, he was dismissed from his Salzburg position . He chose to stay in the capital, where he achieved fame but little financial security . During his final years in Vienna, he composed many of his best - known symphonies, concertos, and operas, and portions of the Requiem, which was largely unfinished at the time of his death . </P>

At age 17 became a court musician in salzburg austria