Category Archives: The Baroque Period

Deanna Maravel-Mozart’s Letters

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     Mozart’s Letters

     We spend so much of our lives communicating via emails and cell phones that it’s easy to forget that writing was once the only source of communication, other than seeing someone in person. It is through each person’s diction and style that you can see his or her personality shine through. While it’s impossible to go back in time to find out what someone in the past was like, through the letters they have written which remain today, we are given a glimpse into their minds. Mozart lives on through his letters that were collected in the Letters of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by Hans Mersmann, and we, the readers, are given the chance to discover the brilliant man behind some of the greatest symphonies ever composed.

One of the most prominent threads throughout his letters written to his friend Michael Puchberg was his concern for money. He states that he will go “straight to the point” that he is in need of money to pay for rent and various things, however, this lending of funds does not go unappreciated. (237) He continuously flatters Puchberg for his kindness, continuously referring to him as one of his “best of friends”. (247) This almost excessive flattery is quickly followed with another request for money. It appears that even though Mozart was on such friendly, “brotherly” terms with Puchberg, he was almost embarrassed to keep asking for money, although that could be a result of his poor budgeting skills. He was never able to repay Puchberg, or anyone whom he had borrowed money from, at the time he had promised, and as a result, he racked up a debt that left his family with serious problems following his death.

While Mozart might not have been the most fantastic accountant, he was a caring and supportive family man. For example, he writes to his daughter about her brother’s concerts, which were highly praised and received well by people Mozart knew. He notes in a follow up letter that his son should be safely out of debt, a problem he struggled with himself. In letters to various family members, he apologizes for late responses and offers consoling words to his sister when death takes the life of their father. For his wife, he has nothing but sweet words and love. He constantly refers to her as his “little wife” and sends her “a million tenderest kisses”. (250, 242) Mozart reassures her of their love as they spend so much time apart due to his work. Almost as if it were an afterthought, he also makes a note in his letters to her to give his love to other friends and family members that he cannot see. Even in his hectic schedule, he takes the time to keep his loved ones up to date on what was going on in his life at the time.

Mozart was indeed a professional when it came to business matters. In his letters to royalty concerning work, he adopted a refined tone and dropped the blatant flattery he used in his personal letters to friends. For instance, in a letter to the Municipal Council of Vienna, he signs with “your most humble servant” rather than “ever yours” or “your true friend”. (254) He also offers to take up a position in the Cathedral without pay. In a letter to the Archduke Franz of Vienna, he respectfully requests that the Duke put in a good word for him to the King, seeing as he would like to apply for a job in the court, and perhaps to also be “entrusted with the musical instruction of the Royal Family.” (248) While putting his love of his work first exemplifies his dedication to music, he is leading his family onto a difficult economic path.

In his chaotic, time-constrained life, Mozart had the tendency to shut out the people he loved, not seeing them for long periods of time. It’s through letters that he communicates with the people who mattered to him, and it’s also through these same letters where we are able to see what he was really like as a person.  No one is perfect, and that includes Mozart. While he had his own flaws, such as faulty time and money management, he made up for these imperfections in his dedication to his family and craft. A master of timeless music; his legacy will live forever.

Roseann Weick – Mozart’s Letters

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The Character of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

             The letters of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, musical genius, to such recipients as friends, colleagues, prospective clients, and family exhibit occasions where one can interpret the composer’s character and ability to relate to others. From his letters, Mozart appears to embody the common idea of the struggling artist who is always lacking funds and time.

The work oriented and driven Mozart was portrayed in a letter addressed to Sebastian Winter, Royal Groom-of-the-Chambers. In this specific letter, Wolfgang thanks profusely for the Prince’s generosity, but also divulges his desire to provide his Highness with “certain orchestrated pieces,… If his Highness would be so gracious as to commission [him], year by year” (229). Mozart is also revealed to be very busy and consumed with his work, as well as a “starving” artist, when he writes to such friends as Anton Klein and Michael Puchberg. In his writing to Klein, Mozart apologizes for his late reply. He exclaims, “my hands are so full of affairs that I can find scarce a minute for myself” (227). When addressing his friend Puchberg, Mozart shows his business ambition and financial shortcomings when he asks Puchberg for money. He apologizes for this but assures he will repay this loan with interest. To confirm his honesty Mozart states, “whoever, lends to me is, secure enough by reason of my character and my salary” (239). He finds himself to be a trustworthy friend.

In his letters to his wife and friend Michael Puchberg, Mozart also reveals a caring and very grateful side. Mozart misses his wife dearly for when he looks upon her portrait he weeps for sorrow and joy. He also expresses concern in light of her health. He proclaims, “look after your precious health, which means so much to me” (240). He also shows unease for his wife’s respect and conduct. In his letters to Puchberg, Mozart also shows his regret and “torment” (243) in asking for more funds. Mozart explains his misfortune in being ill and thus must “beg so shamelessly” (244) for money. However, he professes his thankfulness and assures the good of his friend’s generosity will outweigh the bad.

Also apparent in his letters to his wife is Mozart’s joking and playful nature. When addressing his wife, he uses the pet name “little wife” (241) in his enthusiasm to finally be able to see her again after such a long period apart. He professes how he thinks of her often and admits to conversing with her portrait. When talking to his wife’s picture, Mozart uses such antics and phrases as “Good day, little rogue! pussy-wussy! saucy on! – good-for-nothing!-dainty morsel!” (241).

Mozart’s various letters reveal his character as an eventful businessman, thankful friend, and loving husband. Despite his struggle to obtain money and to find suitable work opportunities, Mozart remained a humble and thankful musical prodigy.

Mozart’s Letters

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Mozart’s musical genius is no secret and some of most his famous works include Don Giovanni, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, and Requiem.  Despite not having received much recognition during his life, Mozart was later recognized as of one of the greatest composers ever.  It is the lack of recognition during his lifetime that, I believe, created the backbone of Mozart’s character.  Though Mozart composed beautiful music, he was often overlooked and ignored, thus driving him to work harder, travel farther, and flatter others, often excessively, just to earn enough to survive.  His character is exposed through some of the letters he wrote to his friends, wife, and potential employers.

A common theme in Mozart’s letter is the fact that he was destitute.  Mozart was the ‘starving artist’ of his day.  Though talented and able to create masterpieces, his letters suggest today that he was living hand to mouth, even though sometimes he was compensated for his efforts.  On several occasions, Mozart pleaded to his friend, Puchberg, to lend him money.  The letters to Puchberg show a person who reveled in excessive flattery and reassurances of honesty and noble character, despite his struggles. Though the relationship Mozart had with Puchberg – his “dearest, best of friends” — is not fully disclosed in the letters, I don’t believe such admiration was necessary to get a close friend to lend money.  But, judging Mozart by the social norms and standards of the 18th century, he could be viewed as an honorable, honest, and polite individual.

Nonetheless, although Mozart’s excessive compliments obtained him funds from Puchberg on several occasions, it is suggested in the letters that he was never able to pay back (243). This invites the question whether Mozart was a man of his word or just a man struggling to make ends meet by any means.  From the letters, it appears that Mozart had a calculated way of asking for money.  First, he reminded Puchberg of their friendship and then he showered his friend with compliments while mentioning what an honorable and honest character Mozart was.  Then, he would impress on Puchberg of what would happen if he didn’t lend him money, “I must abandon all hope of furthering my fortunes unless I can count on the help of a staunch friend.” (246)  In light of Mozart’s multiple and insistent quests, Puchberg might not have had any other choice but to give in and lend money.  Mozart’s obvious manipulation is not a remarkable trait of his morals but may be justifiable light of his dire circumstances.  Myself, I see a man who brushed away his pride via excessive flattery to support himself and his family; just a step below an honorable act.

Mozart’s letters to his wife display another side of Mozart not expressed in the letters to Puchberg and potential employers. In the latter, Mozart seems almost on his knees begging and pleading for money or some form of work.  The letters to his “dearest little wife” show the sweet, tender, and loving family man he was.  Mozart expresses much love towards his wife and family by sending frequent letters rife with tender kisses and all the best wishes. Mozart is clearly worried about the health of his ill wife as well as her fidelity.  He claims he does not care what else may go awry as long as she is “well and kind” to him (260).

One aspect of Mozart’s letter that confused me is his desire to earn money versus the love he has for his family.  On one hand, he travels far from his family to maybe earn some money.  On the other hand, he writes letters to his family from his travels claiming how much he misses them.  Mozart expresses his own confusion on this matter, “the wish, the yearning to see you, to embrace you once more, struggles with the desire to bring home a large sum of money” (252).  Mozart was a passionate man who worked hard and traveled far to earn some money.  His dedication to music seemed to surpass dedication he had for his family, as he was often on the road away from them.  Mozart’s greatest fault was missing out on his family while venturing to earn money but consequently leaving no money to his family when he passed.

Lauren Vicente, Mozart’s Letters

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Mozart’s Letters

            The musical marvel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, has been consistently characterized by his dynamic concertos and opulent operas. The depth of his character, however, fails to be properly outlined by the average observer. In the book Letters of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, letters are selected and edited by Hans Mersmann that depict the struggle of the famous composer. From a need for money to a lack of free time, Mozart seems to personify the “starving artist” cliché. His faith in his music manages to keep him on track, but it is not hard to see the problems that he inevitably faced while trying to compose and prosper.

In his letters, Mozart constantly refers to his lack of time, claiming “[he has] not had time to read [letters] through even once without interruption.” (227) This lack of time seems to be a theme throughout the letters chosen by Mersmann, but the source cannot be determined. Whether pure forgetfulness or a lackadaisical view of social niceties, this trait shows how focused Mozart is upon his work. At one time, he claims it was the “eleventh day” (236) he’d been writing a letter! He seems to be sidetracked by his compositions. His letters are generally about his music or offerings to create music for several productions. Even in his last correspondence to his father, he gossips about musicians and composers. This dedication to his trade is infallible.

It could almost be assumed by the modern musician that Mozart had always received acclaim for his work, but that obviously wasn’t the case. Mozart’s money troubles become very apparent in June of 1788. He starts writing to several people including Michael Puchberg and Franz Hofdemel, claiming to go “straight to the point without affectation.” (237) He asks for sums of money that would greatly help him and even seems to guilt his friends, claiming to “throw [him]self on [their] goodness, being convinced of [their] friendship.” (240) The letters are quite short and devoid of true substance beyond the asking for money and asking for time to pay back the loans. Within the correspondences to Puchberg and Hofdemel, he gives several excuses as to why he does not have money. He uses excuses ranging from a missed payment to just barely being able to get by.

Despite the fact that Mozart seemed to abuse his resources, his love for his wife Costanze runs deep. He tries to protect her from the knowledge of his money troubles, writing that he is “suffering no hardships or inconveniences on this journey.” (240) He constantly sends her kisses and even refers to moments when he “looks to [her] portrait and weep, half for joy, half for sorrow.” (240) In a second letter, he goes more in depth with the ritual he keeps with the portrait, which, despite how romantic he thinks it is, seems very strange. He vies for her attention always and expects her to write him in all of her spare time. The “million kisses” (253) he sends her usually reach her well. He usually mentions their son Karl, but his general concern lies in Costanze.

Overall, Mozart seemed to be a man who was both concerned with his music and his wife. He fell into financial debt for the things he did, but never let himself forget his family. It’s hard to recognize that despite his fame, he could not manage to support himself. The letters that Mersmann chose humanized this musical marvel and helps modern musicians appreciate the work he put into his craft.

Ashley Haynes: Mozart’s Letters

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Peeling Back the Layers into the Real Man

         A man truly ahead of his time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, has been the man to music that Shakespeare has been for literature. Although only living for a brief thirty-five years, Mozart would go on to compose six hundred works ranging from operas, concertos, symphonies, and chamber music to choral music. All of which, even centuries later has been just as prominent then as they are now in such well known movies as Seven Pounds and Dinner for Schmucks. His famous works including Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, his no.40 in G minor and no. 41 in C major aren’t just facets of the past to be known and simply forgotten.

Yet, although being known, as one of the greatest composers of all time isn’t a sordid title to say the least, there was more to the man than his gift as a musical genius. Mozart was a genuine, altruistic, humorous family man and friend who was able to relate to others. This man, the uncensored Mozart was best exhibited in his famous personal letters.

In his numerous letters to his wife, Mozart was simply like any other husband in his longings to be with his wife instead of away working on music. In letters 115 and 138 through 140, he wrote about his yearnings to know if his wife thought about him every waking moment as he did of her. Was she as overcome with emotion in dealing with the temporary separation as he was? She was always his rock that he could physically turn to be with. Yet, when he was away he could only just put pen to paper and express his feelings of being with her and kissing her, a reality tough to swallow. Therefore, when he went a long lapse of time without writing her, he expressed his guilt. Being away from her and his family in an effort to be a provider and follow his passion wasn’t easy. “I have often thought of traveling farther, but whenever I tried to force myself to decide to do so, the thought always came to me how bitterly I should regret it if I were to separate myself so long from my beloved wife without certain prospect of success, and perhaps quite fruitlessly”. (Letter 129)

In his letter to his father, Mozart showed his compassion. He wrote about his fear upon hearing that his father wasn’t in good health and how much he had longed for his speedy recovery. He voiced that knowing his father was ill made him greater appreciate waking up to see a new day no matter if he was old or young. He just wanted to know the truth when it came to his father’s health, good or bad because he wanted to know how he could help.  He wanted to know so that he could be a good supportive brother to his sister and obedient son to his father.

In his letters to his friends, Mozart showed equal humility. He wrote with regret in Letter 117 for not having responded in a speedily fashion because he knew if someone took the time out to reach out to him, the least he could do would be to respond in a readily capacity even if he was busy. When he was in need of money, he wasn’t afraid to ask and admit that it would take him some time to pay off the debt but that he would pay it back with interest. He expressed why he was rather brief in letter 118 to a friend due to his worry over his wife’s health. Mozart had a sense of courtesy because he knew life was not only about him alone. As a result, in subsequent letters he spoke of his pleasant excitement in simply hearing from fellow companions. “The conviction that you are indeed my friend, and that you know me for a man of honour, emboldens me to disclose all my heart to you, and to make you the following petition.” (Letter112)

Then above all, Mozart showed his light-hearted sense of humor in his one hundredth and thirty second letter. He wrote about a home set up for his wife having Goldhahn quarters similar to the one used by the butcher. Then if such weren’t available he would prefer something near the baths. He essentially knew what he was asking for was ridiculous but still proceeded with the letter. Mozart wasn’t ashamed to be blunt about what he thought of by writing it down for others to read. In his exact words he said “this is the stupidest letter I have ever written in my life”.(letter 132) Yet, I believe such a trait made Mozart one of the greatest composers by allowing him to just convert the music he conjured in his head to pen and paper.

Subsequently, I now realize it is only truly through his letters that one could fathom the true embodiment of Mozart as a complete person. Mozart wasn’t simply a musical genius. Mozart the uncensored man was a fun, light-hearted compassionate person like you and I who just so happened to be gifted as well.