It is no doubt that Mozart was one of the world’s greatest musical prodigies. As we flip through history books or culturally based texts, we are constantly reminded of how impressively talented Mozart was and how much fame his name continuously acquires. However, what we do not grasp at first glance is who Mozart was as a person – aside from being universally known as “musical genius.” To really understand Mozart as a human being we must analyze his relationships with other people, as well as the way in which his musical skills impacted his life. Fortunately for us, the collection of letters Mozart had written provides us with such insight.
The letters indicate two different sides to Mozart that correlate with the different ways in which music was of value to him. Much of the letters are of Mozart writing to various family members. Throughout each of these we see a side to Mozart that’s warm, kind, and endearing. He expresses enormous love for his wife, immense care for his sister, and deep concern for his father. He uses words like, “I kiss you a million times most tenderly, and am ever thine, true till death,” (240) when writing to his wife while oversees. He writes to his father who is facing a fatal illness, “I hope, I wish, that while I write this you are getting better… so that I can come with all human speed to your arms” (234). He then writes to his “dearest, best sister,” “As I have said and thought a thousand times, I would leave everything to you with true delight in doing so” (234). It is clear to any reader that Mozart truly values family, and in no way hides his strong sense of duty to those he loves.
However we must also examine the role music – as a profession – played in Mozart’s life, and how it affected his relationships with his family. For Mozart, music was not just a talent or an outlet of expression; music was his profession and thus what he relied on to support him and his family financially. To put it simply, music was his source of income. Therefore, while family was indeed a major concern to him, Mozart often times expresses the most emotion in reference to his work or money problems. For example, Mozart expresses to his “best of friends,” Michael Puchberg, “my circumstances are such that I must absolutely get money.” The tone of the letter begins to turn desperate when he pleads, “I am sorry enough to be in this situation, but that is the very reason why I want a fairly substantial sum for a fairly long period.” (238) Our perception of Mozart changes from that of calm, warm, happy, and easy to that of nervous and tense.
In spite of this, however, it does point out that Mozart has a way with his words. When he writing to his family he connects to them by revealing the innermost contents of his heart and allowing them to peak into his soul. When writing with financial regards his diction projects a sense of trust upon the recipients. When he asking to borrow money, due to his financial issues, he promises to his friend that he is “quite willing to pay interest,” and states, “and whoever lends to me is, I think, secure enough by reason of my character and salary.” Additionally, he writes, “I beg you to lend mea few hundred gulden…” (239) Furthermore, this idea is exemplified through the letter Mozart sends to the Prince, begging to “do business” with him. He formulates this elaborate proposition and glorifies himself, although ends his letter by claiming that this offer, “arises from genuine zeal to serve his Highness diligently.” (228) Again, he is portraying this sense of trust upon those he seeks to become financially involved with.
While this implies the different relationships Mozart had, as well as the different ways he viewed these relationships, we need to inquire more to fully understand how this all intertwines with the music aspect. We already know of Mozart’s incredible talent and passion for music, but can we see that in relation to his personal self through these letters? The answer is yes. Through subtle points in his diction, we can gain an understanding of how Mozart values his profession, in relation to the way he values his family. Firstly, let’s not forget that although he writes a beautifully heart felt letter to his wife, he is doing so because he chose to leave her for some time in order to attend to “business” (his musical profession) overseas. He put his financial duties over that of his family. Morever this idea is indicated through the usage of his diction in his letter to Michael Puchberg, where he admits, “i am too much at other people’s disposal and too little at my own.” (236) If we analyze this carefully we can begin to realize that Mozart is constantly apologizing in his letter for either taking a long time to respond, or for simply writing such a short message. For example, in one of the letters he writes to his wife, he signs it with the words, “you must not regulate the length of your letters by that of mine. Mine are short only because I am pressed with business, otherwise I would write whole sheets…” (242)
Thus we can conclude that while Mozart conveyed through the letters to his family and close friends that the thing he valued the most, was the well-being of those he loved, he also prioritized his profession in a way that came before and above all else. He writes with deep passion in reference to his family, however he does so because circumstances separated him from his family – circumstances due to his own decisions.
-Nicole Schneider
