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Mozart.com Invites Mozart Lovers, Music Fans, and the Music Industry Worldwide to Celebrate Mozart's 250th Birthday

Recording Artist Joshua Bell, Singer-Songwriter Elisabeth von Trapp, Former Stax Executive Deanie Parker, and Executive Producer Chris Andrews Unveil Mozart.com: "The Official Host of Mozart's 250th Birthday: Worldwide and All Year Long"

Mozart.com announced today a flurry of activities planned for Mozart's 250th Birthday this year, most of which will be revealed on www.Mozart.com this Friday, January 27th, Mozart's 250th Birthday. Mozart.com offers Mozart fans and music professionals alike a unique and innovative place to celebrate their beloved Mozart together, and join with the millions of people attending over 5,000 Mozart events this year.

"I am excited to hear about the launch of Mozart.com -- it's about time Wolfgang got his own domain!" says Grammy Award-winning Violinist Joshua Bell. "As the legendary composer's 250th birthday approaches, it is a good time to take pause and reflect on how his music has influenced our lives. I cannot imagine a world without Mozart. I made my professional debut at age 14 playing his G major Violin Concerto (along with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra) and his music continues to feed my soul on a daily basis. Mozart is a hero and an inspiration, and I'll be sure to visit him regularly at Mozart.com."

The Executive Producer of Mozart.com, Chris Andrews, says, "Mozart.com is 3 things. First, it's a home for Wolfgang and all the people who love him and his music. Second, it's a place for people to celebrate Mozart's 250th Birthday, it's a year-long live event. And third, it's an innovation center for music, to initiate new programs that benefit musical artists and their listeners.

Elisabeth von Trapp, whose famous family's history is well known throughout the world, being portrayed in the movie "The Sound of Music," is a singer-songwriter herself.

"Thank You Mozart.com for spreading news of Mozart's life, his genius and now his 250th! Mozart's music has had an immense influence in my life. It has brought me comfort in times of sadness, jubilation in times of joy and creativity during times of work. His music is magical, mystical, whimsical and enduring but most of all, precious and inspiring. May generations treasure his gift of music."

Mr. Andrews is a 2nd generation Austrian-American and, like Elisabeth von Trapp, his life story, with his brother Rich, has also been chronicled in the press, including CBS' "60 Minutes." His family knew the von Trapps in Stowe, Vermont, where he was born and his mother was a ski instructor.

"I am really delighted to be united with Elisabeth on this important occasion. I hope to work with her on some projects in the future. She has some great ideas, and her own music is something the world needs to hear."

Mr. Andrews talks about some new initiatives at Mozart.com, "We want to do things that inspire people. For example, our first bloggers will be Phil Grabsky, the director of the recently released film "In Search of Mozart," and Melinda Hughes, an opera singer and writer living in London. We are also launching a campaign to create an International Day of Recognition for the true heroes of our society, musical artists. On a fun note, we are creating a Mozart leather jacket with Jeff and Jacky Clyman, the founders of Avirex, under their new brand Cockpit USA. Plus Mozart now has his own personal email address for people to write to him -- be it letters or poetry -- and its Wolfie@Mozart.com. And, we have a special area on Mozart.com for the Soulsville Foundation."

Deanie Parker, President of the Soulsville Foundation which supports The Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the Stax Music Academy, and herself a former marketing director for Stax Records, says, "Mozart influenced many Stax artists. Booker T. Jones studied Mozart formally, Isaac Hayes' musical appreciation was significantly influenced by Mozart, and Albert King listened to Mozart when he wasn't playing the blues. By the way, watch the Mozart.com Guestbook, some of the great Stax artists will be stopping by!"

"I hope everyone stops by the Guestbook and says Happy Birthday to Wolfgang," says Mr. Andrews. "Just recently some great people stopped by. We had jazz singer Tierney Sutton, who's nominated for her first Grammy, Rufus Founder/Drummer and producer extraordinaire Andre Fischer, and 9-time Grammy winner Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel. Jazz, Funk, and Texas Swing, yep -- Mozart is certainly having his moment."

SECTIONS ON MOZART.COM

Meet and Greet -- Blogs, message board, guestbook, polls

You're Invited -- Mozart events around the world

Travel the World -- The places where Mozart is being celebrated

W. A. Mozart -- Biographical information and facts

R-R-Rock Me Amadeus -- Trivia, odd facts like Mozart's Skull

Mozart Fan Club -- Special offers and inside information

BFD - BUY good/musics, get FREE Trials, DONATE to causes

Press and Sponsorship -- News/information for the Press and Sponsors

Mozart.com users will be treated to the music of VivaLaVoce.com

The distinctive Mozart.com logo was created by Imagemark.net.

Chris Andrews is an internationally recognized innovator and the former executive producer of the Grammy Awards Webcast. More information about Chris Andrews, both professionally and his life story as written about in the press, can be found on the Welcome page of www.Mozart.com. His future projects include a blog named "Celebrate the Possible," the relaunch of Livecast, and the creation of www.Gutenberg.com. Chris Andrews can be reached at chris@chrisandrews.com or 650-380-1221.

Distributed by Market Wire