arts of the Requiem were composed during his final illness. He diedbefore the work was finished.Mozart wrote other, generally lighter, orchestral works, called serenades. Somewere intended for outdoor performance. One has become well-known as Eine kleineNachtmusik (A Little Night Music, 1787). Mozart also wrote many compositions calledconcertos for a solo instrument such as the violin or piano, with orchestralaccompaniment. He often played the solo part.Throughout his life Mozart composed chamber music - works for a smallnumber of instruments in which only one musician plays each part. Mozartconcentrated on string quartets (two violins, viola, and cello). He was influenced inthis by Haydn, whose quartets he admired. He dedicated six quartets to Haydn.Mozarts sonatas for piano and for violin and piano are outstanding. The pianowas still fairly new and was widely played by amateurs. More than any othercomposer, Mozart helped to make the instrument popular. His melodies for piano hada singing, sustained quality, with gradual changes between soft and loud.In spite of his hardships and disappointments as a composer, much of Mozartsmusic is cheerful and vigorous. He had a sense of humor and liked puns and practicaljokes. He composed many lighter works. These compositions include the opera CosiFan Tutte (All Women Are Like That, 1790), much of his early instrumental music, andcanons (rounds) with nonsense words.Mozart also produced deeply serious music. His most profound works includethe piano concerto in D minor, several string quartets, the string quintet in G minor,and his last three symphonies - E flat major, G minor, and the Jupiter. Larger worksmay contain both serious and light elements, as does Don Giovanni. Mozart belonged to the Order of Freemasons and wrote several compositionsfor their meetings. Some scenes from his fairy-tale opera The Magic Flute wereinspired by Masonic traditions and beliefs.A catalog of Mozarts works was first ...
