Leopold Mozart’s Toy Symphony, Performed by Ensemble Metamorphosis

Leopold Mozart, born on November 14, 1719, in Augsburg, was an influential 18th-century composer, violinist, and music teacher. Renowned primarily as the father and mentor of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, he authored “A Treatise on the Fundamental Principles of Violin Playing,” a significant guide in violin pedagogy. Serving as Vice-Kapellmeister in Salzburg, he composed both sacred and secular works. Despite his contributions to music, Leopold devoted much of his life to fostering his son’s prodigious talent, shaping him into a musical prodigy. His role in Wolfgang’s development was crucial, though his own musical legacy often remains overshadowed by his son’s. Leopold Mozart died on May 28, 1787, in Salzburg.