Answer: Fear of the Number 13 Schoenberg (1874-1951) had such a severe case of triskaidekaphobia - or fear of the number 13 - that it is theorized his depression due to such may have contributed to his death. Strangely enough, Schoenberg died on the 13th day of July 1951.
Answer: Paul Wittgenstein Paul Wittgenstein (188-1961) compensated for the loss of his right arm, which had to be amputated during World War I, by developing techniques which allowed him to play the piano in a fashion that was previously thought impossible with only one hand.
Answer: Salzburg Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1756. Likewise Mozartkugeln were created in Salzburg in 1890, and descendants of its original producer still create handmade versions of the sweets to this day.
Answer: 8 The history of classical music is filled with virtuosos and geniuses but none perhaps moreso than Mozart. For instance, he wrote his "Symphony No. 1" at eight years old. Also, during his relatively short life (1756-1791), he composed in excess of 600 pieces - many more than some other great composers who lived much longer.
Answer: Joseph Haydn A week after his death, Joseph Haydn's (1732-1809) skull was stolen by a couple of scientists who studied the brains of geniuses. When confronted, they returned a skull alright, but it wasn't actually Haydn's. In fact it wasn't until 1954, over 100 years after his death, that Joseph's original skull was recovered and placed in his tomb in Austria alongside the fake.
Answer: Richard Nixon Overall Richard Nixon, the United States' 37th President, was perhaps the most musically talented of all former Presidents as not only was he skilled in the piano but also the accordion, clarinet, violin and saxophone. In fact in 1961 he displayed his piano composition and playing skills to the world during a apperance on the "Jack Paar Program" in which he played his "Richard Nixon Piano Concerto No. 1".
Answer: Giuseppe Tartini According to Giuseppe Tartini, he got the inspiration for the "Devil's Trill Sonata" (1770) when Lucifer himself, playing a violin, visited him during a dream.
Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte Ludwig van Beethoven's highly esteemed "Symphony No. 3" (1802-1804) was originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte. However, due to financial considerations, he later rededicated it to a nobleman.
