Mythbusters: Mozart Edition
Throughout history, there have been many speculations about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s life. The dissemination of Mozart myths spread rapidly after Peter Shaffer’s stage play and movie Amadeus became popular in the 1980s. People started to ask questions such as: did Mozart have affairs with other women? Was Mozart really murdered by Salieri? Where was Mozart buried? These are only some of the questions surrounding Mozart. In this essay, we will sort out the facts from the myths.
Myth: Salieri poisoned Mozart. This is one of the most infamous myths surrounding Mozart, probably because it’s full of drama. How exciting to have one of the greatest composers to ever live be murdered by an opponent. However, while this theory cannot be completely ruled out, because science was not then what it is today, there is really only circumstantial evidence and rumors supporting this theory (Stafford). While there was definitely competition between the two composers, there never truly was enmity and ill wishes (Gay). Salieri was even known to compliment and recognize Mozart’s talents. After Salieri saw a performance of Die Zauberflote he was extremely complimentary about the opera saying “from the overture to the last chorus there was not a single number that did not call forth from him a ‘bravo’” (Borowitz). While Salieri and Mozart most likely knew each other, their paths rarely crossed. Another theory of how this myth started was because “Mozart was suspicious that he was being poisoned by a circle of Italians” near the end of his life (Angel). What most likely happened was “...an attack of acute rheumatic fever” (Gay 158). It was believed by Vienna’s doctors that drawing blood was a beneficial process. It was likely that the instruments that they used for this process were unsterilized and worsened Mozart’s health.
Fact: Mozart was buried in a common grave. This statement is a fact, however, not because of a lack of money on Mozart’s part. It is a fact because there was a decree made in 1784 by Emperor Joseph II that all burials of the lower classes would be simple for purposes of hygiene and economy (Borowitz). Sack burials were also encouraged and headstones were much too expensive for the Mozart family to pay. Currently people do not know where Mozart's body rests specifically, however, in St. Marx Cemetery there is a memorial for him today (Stafford).
Fact: Mozart had affairs. Constanze Mozart herself states that Mozart admitted to having affairs with other women. She says that Mozart would become infatuated or enticed by a student of his or singers and that these would lead to “infidelities” (Stafford). Also, Constanze remarks on how she would forgive him immediately, however, her sister states that Constanze would have numerous outbursts over the issue.
Myth: Mozart composed quickly, and often only had one, original draft of his compositions. While Mozart was able to compose rather quickly when he had a strict deadline, or was very inspired, he was like any other composer, constantly questioning what would sound the best. “Many of Mozart’s relatives and acquaintances described him as continually working and perfecting his pieces at a keyboard” (Angel). Unlike the myth people believe, Mozart was a normal composer who would sometimes write and revise multiple versions of the same work. Here is a scene from Amadeus, which made this myth popular. Pay close attention at 2:25, when Salieri asks Mozart’s wife, Constanze, if he could borrow some of Mozart’s scores:
There are many other myths about Mozart’s life and career that are not covered in this essay. Perhaps these rumors came about because listeners wanted Mozart’s personal life to match the amazing scope of his music. Although Mozart’s life is not the grand, marvelous life depicted in Amadeus, he still lived a very adventurous life.
Sierra Marsh wrote paragraphs 1, 3, and 4. Logan Kropp wrote paragraphs 5 & 6. Both Sierra and Logan wrote portions of paragraph 2.
Works Cited
Angel, Amanda. "Top Five Myths about Mozart." WQXR. New York Public Radio, 30 Oct. 2013. Web. 21 Nov. 2015.
Borowitz, Albert. Salieri and the “Murder” of Mozart. The Musical Quarterly. Vol. 59, No. 2 (Apr., 1973), pp. 263-284. Print.
Gay, Peter. Mozart: A Life. New York: Lipper/Viking Book, 1999. Print.
Stafford, William. The Mozart Myths. Stanford Press, California, 1991. Pg. 23-24 and 45. Print.
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