Paris (November 1763 – April 1764) Mozart family grand tour

madame de pompadour, courtesan whom mozarts met @ versailles, 1763–64.

on 18 november 1763 mozart family arrived in paris, 1 of important musical centres of europe, , city of great power, wealth, , intellectual activity. leopold hoped received court of louis xv @ nearby versailles. however, recent death in royal family prevented immediate invitation, leopold arranged other engagements. 1 person took particular note of children german diplomat friedrich melchior von grimm, journal records wolfgang s feats in glowing terms: consummate kapellmeister not more profound in science of harmony , modulation . leopold s own assessment, written few months later, effusive: little girl, although 12 years old, 1 of skilful players in europe and, in word, boy knows more in eighth year 1 expect man of forty .

on 24 december family moved versailles 2 weeks during which, through court connection, able attend royal dinner, wolfgang reportedly allowed kiss hand of queen. @ versailles visited famous courtesan madame de pompadour, in last months of life— extremely haughty woman still ruled on , according leopold. in nannerl s later recollections, wolfgang made stand on chair examined madame, not allow him kiss her.

there no record of children giving formal concert @ versailles. in february 1764 given 50 louis d or (about 550 florins) , gold snuff-box royal entertainments office, presumably entertaining royal family privately, no more details available. further concerts given in paris on 10 march , on 9 april, @ private theatre in rue et porte st honoré. @ same time wolfgang s first published works printed: 2 pairs of sonatas harpsichord , violin, k. 6 , 7, , k. 8 , 9. these pairs became opus 1 , opus 2 in leopold s private catalogue of son s work. first pair dedicated king s daughter, madame victoire de france, second countess of tessé. mozart biographer stanley sadie comments aspects of these pieces rather childish , naïve, nevertheless technique astonishingly sure, line of thinking clear , smooth, , formal balance beyond reproach .

a decision taken in paris go london, perhaps on advice of leopold s musical , court acquaintances, have advised him england was, in words of mozart scholar neal zaslaw, known enthusiasm received continental musicians , extravagance rewarded them . on 10 april family left calais , after unpleasant crossing dover on hired boat, , delays, arrived in london on 23 april.