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.

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.