Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 in Salzburg to Leopold Mozart
and Anna Maria Pertl. Wolfgang, along with his sister, Maria Anna (known as Nanerl) who was four
years older than Wolfgang, showed ability as keyboard players, but Wolfgang soon overshadowed
her sister.
Under his father's teaching Wolfgang's education advanced far beyond that of boys sent to
school. He reveled in it and was never forced or punished. On one occasion at least, Leopold
tried to restrain Wolfgang's musical sprinting, when the then five-year-old, was told to
"run away and stop bothering everyone" when someone had given the young Mozart a little
violin to experiment with at a party. But, after a cry and sulk and although with irregular
fingering he managed to play his way through six trios with some guests.
Now it was Leopold's turn to show tears, but of pleasure and wonder. He determined that all
Europe should witness such miracles.