Photograph of My Wife?

Dear Sir,

I have been scouring your fabulous blog, and correct me if I have missed it, but there is a rumor that your wife has a photograph of her, circulating about the internet. What do you know about it?

Merci,
Lauren

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Mademoiselle!

You may be referring to the following likeness. I, however cannot attest to its authenticity, for by that I time I was... away!

Your servant,

WAM

I Have Achieved the Top 100

I have only just learned that this weblog has received the singular honor of being named one of the 100 Best Blogs for the Literati. Truly, I could not be happier. Please pay them a visit and peruse the other blogs and sites on the list.

The Amadeus Award: Enfilade

I am honoured to bestow this award to Enfilade, a "serial newsletter for the Historians of Eighteenth-Century Art & Architecture".

This is an excellent weblog and is a vast store of information and knowledge. Please pay a visit!

The Adelaide Concerto

Dear Mr. Mozart,

I would be most interested to hear your views about the composition described as your Adelaide Concerto.

Yours most sincerely
Twaklin of Adelaide

P.S. I adore your music and have begun a correspondence with other admirers of your work. A published volume is at Mozarty.

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Dear Twalkin,

That someone penned a piece and passed it off as something of mine is really rather amusing. In my experience, it has always been the other way around. I once lent my hand on a symphony by Michael Haydn (brother of Franz Joseph) when he was ill. It pleased me no end to know that Archbishop Colloredo, indeed the entire town applauded something, not knowing it was partly by me, their detested prodigal!

Although this concerto is a good piece, it contains a few places where I feel like kicking it into motion; some of it is a little too pedantic for my taste. I hope the Casadesus brothers enjoyed themselves turning out hoaxes like this one.

Ihr Freund in der Musik,
Wolfg. Mozart

P.S. I have added your blog to my list in the left sidebar.

Let's Have Some Fun

I have created a new poll for your amusement. Please feel free to lodge your answer and I will post the results after it closes on New Year's Eve.

WAM

Zaide

Hello Maestro Mozart!

I really enjoy your blog! I was wondering why you didn't finish the opera, Zaide? I enjoy all of your genre of work, and I think that the aria Ruhe sanft was really beautiful! Did something get in the way of finishing Zaide?

Tamara

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Dear Tamara,

I began work on Zaide in Salzburg, in 1780. Emperor Joseph II was in the process of establishing his German Company, and I thought that I might curry his favor if I composed something in our native language. I was summoned to Munich, however, to compose Idomeneo for the Carnival season, and Zaide had to be abandoned.

Immediately after, I was called to Vienna, where I received a commission for a comedy Singspieler for the German Company. I selected a libretto by Bretzner, Die Entführung aus dem Serail. The story was not all that different from Zaide and, hiring Stephanie to make some adaptations, I completed the piece, which was performed to great success, thus establishing my reputation in Vienna as a superior composer.

Because the original title of Zaide was Das Serail, it is easy to see how it developed beyond my original concept.

I am pleased that you enjoy my blog and I remain,
Your Friend in Music,
W.A. Mozart

The Harpsichord

Dear Wolfgang -

I know that the piano is your main instrument but do you still occasionally play the harpsichord? (I'm listening to a CD of harpsichord music and this question came about as a result.)

Best wishes,
Kathy

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Dear Kathy,

These days, I try very hard not to be anywhere near a harpsichord; since ongoing advancements of the fortepiano took hold, there is no reason for me to be. This is not to say that I do not value it as an instrument, it is just that it sounds so terribly old-fashioned and it longer appeals to me due to its limitations in sonority and voices. I suppose that there must be some quaint nostalgia where modern ears are concerned, but to my own, it is the sound of my youth and, because I am a forward-thinking man, I prefer to keep up with the new and innovative designs of the fortepiano.

Your Friend,
Wolfg.

I Attend the Ball at Willow Manor

What a glorious evening I had at the 2nd Annual Willow Manor Ball! I confess that I arrived a little late, due to the extra care Primus gave to they styling of my peruke, but it did not seem to matter, for guests came and went at leisure until the small hours of the morning. How does Her Ladyship manage to keep that much champagne available, I wonder. Here are some pictures for your amusement (pray, take no note of indiscrepancies, this is all in good fun according to Her Ladyship's edict):

Was this not a fine way to arrive?

Immediately I entered the manor, a glass of fine champagne

was placed in my hand. I think my charming Hostess

knows my predilections all too well!

I danced a flirtatious minuet

with the lovely Lynette...

...took a brief rest to speak with my Sister...

...was quite overwhelmed when La Storace sang for me...

...entertained the company from Her Ladyship's excellent fortepiano...

...committed a little innocent horseplay...

...joined some other musicians for a portrait...

...and then settled into a friendly game of cards... or several.

I must confess that I do not remember returning home, but when I awoke in my wing chair, my face was covered with lip rouge kiss-marks and a note was pinned to my jacket. It read:

"Please see that Herr Mozart makes it home safe and sound,
and in one piece. He has been a naughty boy, but then,
we expected no less of him! Bravo, Maestrino!"


I almost forgot to add that the guest I enjoyed meeting most was none other than...

I Have Been Invited to a Ball

My dear friend, who is known to her public only as "Willow" will soon be holding her Second Annual Willow Manor Ball on the 13th of this month at, of course, Willow Manor. I attended last year and had such a wonderful time that I marked this year's date on my calender in advance.

Her Ladyship always has the best musicians, the finest food and drink, and the most charming and noted guests; the gowns and suits alone are worth going! One can expect to see many celebrities from all times in history dancing, conversing, and who knows what else! I fully intend to ask a number of celebrated beauties to a turn around the dance floor and, hopefully, to sit out a few so that I may entertain the company from the musicians' loft. I can always count on Her Ladyship to have the latest and best pianoforte at my disposal,

Any period of dress is welcome, but I think that I shall stick to my own and wear the following suit. Being now in the later part of the year, the dark color is entirely appropriate.

What do you think?

I hope that you will visit her site and treat yourself to the event of the year!

Of Course, I Now Must Have One

Yesterday I attended a recital which purpose was to introduce Anton Walter's latest creation, an updated fortepiano that now renders my beloved 1780 model obsolete. Due to a slightly expanded keyboard and a walnut case, the sound is larger and the colors more resonant. The lowest register sounds like a great storm when played fortissimo!

The pianist's execution was not without its flaws, but no one was there to see him anyway--it was really the instrument that everyone came to hear. He played two sonatas by my old friend, Haydn, and a sonata by a new, young composer whom I predict will make a name for himself in a few years. Imagine my surprise when the second half of the recital opened with my Nine Variations on a Minuet of Duport! The Haydn pieces were charming. I remember him playing his Sonata in C-sharp Minor for me a few years ago, but I'd hadn't heard the newer piece, a Fantasia/Capriccio in C Major. Delightful!

And now I must close so that I can figure out how, exactly, to break the news of this instrument to my money lender.

Addio!