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a Rant about Mozart
Jan. 25th, 2006 08:47 pmOne of the most often repeated things about Mozart is that his manuscripts are perfect - no corrections or revisions. He was such a genius that he could conceive whole movements in his head, perfectly formed, and then he simply wrote them down. And there they were, complete and wonderful from the first.
It's impressive, but it's not true. Sure, some of his manuscripts are nearly flawless. However, Mozart did make corrections and revisions to his work. The set of quartets dedicated to Haydn contain numerous alterations. Mozart also made revisions to the Paris Symphony. And in the manuscript of the Piano Trio in E Major (K. 542), Mozart abandons his first opening and writes out a new one. Mozart also, contrary to popular myth, made sketches and wrote down fragments for later use. There are even drafts of some of his pieces. And even Mozart failed to finish some of his works.
I hate this myth about Mozart, and I hate the fact that it is such a popular myth. I love a lot of Mozart's music, and I think Mozart was indeed a genius. However, I think the perpetuation of this myth does a great disservice to Mozart, and to the art of composing in general. It makes it seem as if Mozart's music was the product of some kind of miraculous stroke of creative inspiration. As if it didn't involve real labor, effort, concentration, etc. As if Mozart was not engaged in his composing, as if there was no process. The truth is that Mozart worked hard at his music - he says as much in several of his letters. And the reality is that composing does require hard work. It takes time, concentration, effort. There is sometimes real struggle involved. It requires discipline and study. This persistent myth about Mozart stands in opposition to this reality. Furthermore, it bolsters the erroneous (and somewhat insulting) perception (which I have personally encountered more than once) that making music, whether writing it or performing it, is not real work. It's just play. It's just fun time. Well, that's bullshit. Even for Mozart.
I wonder if the film Amadeus is to blame for some of the prevalence and persistence of this myth. If so, I would like to point out that Amadeus is to Mozart as Shakespeare in Love is to Shakespeare. Both movies are good films that explore themes relevant to their subjects' work and lives; however, neither movie should be taken as an accurate depiction of historical or biographical facts.
It's impressive, but it's not true. Sure, some of his manuscripts are nearly flawless. However, Mozart did make corrections and revisions to his work. The set of quartets dedicated to Haydn contain numerous alterations. Mozart also made revisions to the Paris Symphony. And in the manuscript of the Piano Trio in E Major (K. 542), Mozart abandons his first opening and writes out a new one. Mozart also, contrary to popular myth, made sketches and wrote down fragments for later use. There are even drafts of some of his pieces. And even Mozart failed to finish some of his works.
I hate this myth about Mozart, and I hate the fact that it is such a popular myth. I love a lot of Mozart's music, and I think Mozart was indeed a genius. However, I think the perpetuation of this myth does a great disservice to Mozart, and to the art of composing in general. It makes it seem as if Mozart's music was the product of some kind of miraculous stroke of creative inspiration. As if it didn't involve real labor, effort, concentration, etc. As if Mozart was not engaged in his composing, as if there was no process. The truth is that Mozart worked hard at his music - he says as much in several of his letters. And the reality is that composing does require hard work. It takes time, concentration, effort. There is sometimes real struggle involved. It requires discipline and study. This persistent myth about Mozart stands in opposition to this reality. Furthermore, it bolsters the erroneous (and somewhat insulting) perception (which I have personally encountered more than once) that making music, whether writing it or performing it, is not real work. It's just play. It's just fun time. Well, that's bullshit. Even for Mozart.
I wonder if the film Amadeus is to blame for some of the prevalence and persistence of this myth. If so, I would like to point out that Amadeus is to Mozart as Shakespeare in Love is to Shakespeare. Both movies are good films that explore themes relevant to their subjects' work and lives; however, neither movie should be taken as an accurate depiction of historical or biographical facts.
