Mozart's Grand Tour: Musical Genius on the Move

On 01/08/1765, nine year old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart departed England with his family and arrived in Calais, France, marking the end of their extended stay in London. The Mozarts had been in London since April 1764, making it the longest single residency of their multi year European Grand Tour. During the London period, Wolfgang and his sister Maria Anna “Nannerl” Mozart performed before members of the British royal family, including King George III and Queen Charlotte, and appeared in public concerts organized by their father Leopold Mozart. The London stay proved musically productive for the young composer. Mozart met Johann Christian Bach, whose keyboard style influenced his early symphonies and sonatas. He composed several works during this period, including early symphonies and keyboard pieces, and gained experience performing for both court and public audiences. By mid 1765, however, the family prepared to leave England as part of their continued tour across Europe. The crossing from Dover to Calais on 1 August 1765 marked the transition from Britain back to continental Europe. After arriving in France, the Mozarts traveled through cities including Lille, Ghent, and The Hague, where they would remain later that year. The departure from England therefore ended a fifteen month stay that had played a central role in Mozart’s early development during the Grand Tour.