August 19, 2025 • 24 mins
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a name that resonates through the ages, a towering figure in the world of music whose genius continues to captivate audiences. From a tender age of 5, this child prodigy dazzled the world with his extraordinary talents, crafting masterpieces that remain unmatched. This collection of excerpts from his personal letters offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a musical legend. Was he simply mad, or was he a miraculous creator? Join us on a journey of discovery as we explore the thoughts and feelings of the boy wonder. (Summary by Aaron Elliott)
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Chapter eleven of Mozart, The Man and the Artist, as
revealed in his own words. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
by Rebecca Case Mozart The Man and the Artist, as
(00:25):
Revealed in his own words by Friedrich Kerst, translated by
Henry Carbeil. Chapter eleven, Self respect and honor. Beethoven is
said to have been the first musician who compelled respect
for his graft. He who prouder than Gote, associated with
royalties and said of himself, I too am a king.
(00:48):
Mozart rose from a dependent position, which brought him most
grievous humiliations. He was looked upon as a servant of
the Archbishop of Salzburg and treated accordingly. At the time,
composers and musicians had no higher standing. Mozart feels the
intolerableness of his position and protests against it on every opportunity.
(01:11):
He is conscious of his worth and intellectual superiority. When
he endures the grossest indignities from his tormentor Archbishop Hieronymus,
it is for the sake of his father, whom he
would save from annoyance. In all things else he follows
the example of his father, but in the matter of
self respect he admonishes and encourages his parent. Although Beethoven
(01:36):
rudely rejected the condescending good will of the great which
would have made Mozart happy, and demanded respect as an equal,
it must be confessed that the generally manly conduct of
Mozart was an excellent preparation of the Viennese soil. One
twenty I wish that the elector were here. He might
(01:57):
hear something to his advantage. He knows nothing about me,
knows nothing about my ability. What a pity that these
grand gentlemen take everybody's word and are unwilling to investigate
for themselves. It's always the way. I am willing to
make a test. Let him summon all the composers in Munich,
and even invite a few from Italy, Germany, England and Spain.
(02:21):
I will trust myself in a competition with them all. Munich,
October two, seventeen seventy seven. To his father, Mozart had
hoped to secure an appointment in Munich, but was disappointed.
One twenty one. I could scarcely refrain from laughing. When
(02:41):
I was introduced to the people. A few who knew
me par Renomonet were very polite and respectful. Others who
know nothing about me stared at me as if they
were a bit amused. They think that because I am
small and young, that there can be nothing great and
old in me, But they shall soon find out. Manheim
(03:04):
October thirty first, seventeen seventy seven to his father one
twenty two. We poor common folk must not only take
wives whom we love and who love us, but we
may can and want to take such, because we are
neither noble, well born, nor rich, but lowly, mean and poor.
(03:28):
Hence we do not need rich wives, because our wealth
dies with us, being in our heads. Of this wealth,
no man can rob us unless he cuts off our heads,
in which case we shall have need of nothing more. Mannheim,
February seventh, seventeen seventy eight to his father. Mozart had
(03:49):
fallen in love with Aloisa, daughter of the poor musician
Weber one twenty three. I will gladly give lessons to
a blome, particularly if I see that a person has
talent and a joyous desire to learn but to go
to a house at a fixed hour or wait at
home for the arrival of some one that I cannot do,
(04:13):
no matter how much it might yield me. I leave
that to others who can do nothing else than play
the claverer. For me it is impossible. I am a
composer and was born to be a chapel master. I
dare not thus bury the talent for composition which a
kind God gave me in such generous measure. I say
(04:33):
more this without pride, for I feel it now more
than ever before, and that is what I shall do.
Had I many pupils. Teaching is a restless occupation, and
I would rather neglect claver playing than composition. The clavier
is a side issue, though, thank God, a strong one.
(04:54):
Mannheim February seventh, seventeen seventy eight to his father, whom
I have read the words with sorrow, since he and
his daughter Nnira were labouriously giving lessons and practicing economy
to make Mozar's journey possible, and had to advance money
to him. One four. I know of a certainty that
(05:16):
the Emperor intends to establish a German opera in Vienna,
and is earnestly seeking a young conductor who understands a
German language, has genius and is capable of giving the
world something new. Benda of Gota is seeking the place,
and Schweitzer is also an applicant. I believe this would
be a good thing for me, but with good pay.
(05:37):
As a matter of course, if the Emperor will give
me a thousand florins, I will write a German opera
for him. And if then he does not wish to
retain me, all right, I beg of you. Write to
all the good friends in Vienna whom you can think of,
that I would do honor to the Emperor. If there
is no other way, let him try me with an opera. Mannheim,
(05:59):
January tenth, seventeen seventy eight to his father one twenty five.
The greatest favor that Herr Grimm showed me was to
lend me fifteen louisd'or in dribblets at the life and
death of my blessed mother. Is he fearful that the
loan will not be returned? If so, he truly deserves
(06:21):
a kick, For he shows distrust of my honesty, the
only thing that can throw me into a rage, and
also of my talent. In a word, he belongs to
the Italian Party, is deceitful, and is seeking to oppress me. Paris,
September eleventh, seventeen seventy eight, to his father, who was
on a friendly footing with the French encyclopodist Grimm since
(06:45):
the first artistic tour made with little Wolfgang in seventeen
sixty three, when he owed many favors to grim. Apparently
Mozart here does an injustice to his patron, who, it
is true, thought highly of the Italian Paccini one twenty
six on my honor. I can't help it. It's the
(07:05):
kind of man I am lately. When he spoke to
me rudely, foolishly and stupidly, I did not dare to
say to him that he need not worry about the
fifteen Louis d'Or, for fear that I might offend him.
I did nothing but endure and ask if he were ready,
And then your obedient servant, Paris, September eleventh, seventeen seventy eight,
(07:28):
to his father, at whose request Baron Grimm had received
the young artist in Paris, but at the same time
had exercised a sort of artistic guardianship over him. Wolfgang
had written to his father as early as August twenty seven.
If you write to him, do not be too humble
in your thanks. There are reasons. On another occasion. Grim
(07:52):
is able to assist children, but not adults. Do not
imagine that he is the man he was one twenty seven.
You know that I want nothing more than good employment,
good in character, and good in recompense. Let it be
where it will, if the place be but Catholic. But
(08:12):
if the Salzburgians want me, they must satisfy my desires,
or they will certainly not get me. Paris, July third,
seventeen seventy eight, to his father, who wished to see
his son in the surface of the archipiscopal court at
Salzburg one twenty eight. The Prince must have confidence either
(08:34):
in you or me, and give us complete control of
everything relating to music. Otherwise all will be in vain.
For in Salzburg everybody or nobody has to do with music.
If I were to undertake it, I should demand free
hands in matters musical. The head court chamberlain should have
nothing to say. A cavalier cannot be a conductor, but
(08:58):
a conductor could well be a caval Paris, July ninth,
seventeen seventy eight, one twenty nine. If the Archbishop were
to entrust it to me, I would soon make his
music famous, that's sure. But I have one request to
make at Salzburg, and that is that I should not
(09:20):
be placed among the violins where I used to be.
I'll never make a fiddler. I will conduct at the
clavert and accompany the arias. It would have been a
good thing if I had secured a written assurance of
the conductorship Paris, September eleventh, seventeen seventy eight, to his father,
who had urged him to return to Salzburg to receive
(09:41):
an appointment to the conductorship. Mozart seems to have a
premonition of the treatment which he received later from the
archbishop one thirty. I must admit that I should reach
Salzburg with a lighter heart if I were not aware
that I have taken service there. It is only this
thought that is intolerable. Put yourself in my place and
(10:04):
think it over at Salzburg. I do not know who
or what I am. I am everything and at times nothing.
I do not demand too much or too little, only something.
If I am Something Strasburg, October fifteenth, seventeen seventy eight,
to his father while returning from Paris, filled with repugnance
(10:26):
to the Archbishop, for aside from obeying a praiseworthy and
beautiful motive, he means filial affection. I am really committing
the greatest folly in the world. He writes in the
same letter one thirty one. The Archbishop cannot recompense me
for the slavery in Salzburg. As I have said, I
(10:48):
experienced great pleasure when I think of visiting you again,
but nothing but vexation and fear at the thought of
seeing myself at that beggarly court again. The Archbishop must
not attempt to put on grand airs with me as
he used to. It is not impossible. It is even
likely that I would put my fingers to my nose,
and I know full well that you would enjoy it
(11:10):
as much as I. Mannheim November twelfth, seventeen seventy eight,
to his father one thirty two at eleven o'clock in
the forenoon, a little too early for me. Unfortunately, we
already go to table. We dine together the two temporal
(11:30):
and spiritual valets. Mister the controller, mister Zetti, the confectioner, Messrs.
The two cooks Cesarelli Bruetti, and my insignificance n. B.
The two valets sit at the head of the table.
I have at least the honor of sitting above the cooks. Well,
I simply think I am at Salzburg at dinner. A
(11:52):
great many course and silly jokes are cracked, but not
at me, because I do not speak a word unless
of necessity. And then with the utmost seriousness, as soon
as I have dined, I go my way. Vienna March seventeenth,
seventeen eighty one to his father. The archbishop was visiting
Vienna and had brought with him his best musicians, whom, however,
(12:17):
he treated shabbily at length. The rupture came. Mozart was dismissed,
literally with a kick. One thirty three. Believe me, best
of fathers, that I must summon all my manhood to
write to you what reason commands. God knows how hard
it is for me to leave you. But if beggary
were my lot, I would no longer serve such a master.
(12:40):
For that I shall never forget as long as I live,
and I beg of you I beg of you, for
the sake of everything in the world. Encourage me in
my determination, instead of trying to dissuade me. That would
unfit me for what I must do, for it is
my desire and hope to win honor, fame, and money,
and I hope to be of great service to you
(13:00):
in Vienna than in Salzburg, Vienna, May twelfth, seventeen eighty
one to his father one thirty four. I did not
know that I was a valet de chambre, and that
broke my neck. I ought to have wasted a few
hours every forenoon in the ante chamber. I was often
(13:22):
told that I should let myself be seen, but I
could not recall that this was my duty, and came
punctually only when the archbishop summoned me. Vienna, May twelfth,
seventeen eighty one, one thirty five. To please you, best
of fathers, I would sacrifice my happiness, my health, and
my life. But my honor is my own and ought
(13:44):
to be above all else to you. Let Count Arco
and all Salzburg read this letter, Vienna, May nineteenth, seventeen
eighty one. It was Count Arco who had dismissed Mozart
with a kick. The father was thrown into consternation at
the maltreatment of his son and sought to persuade Mozart
to return to Salzburg. Mozart replied, best, dearest father, ask
(14:09):
of me anything you please, but not that the very
thought makes me tremble with rage. One thirty six. You
did not think when you wrote this that such a
backstep would stamp me as one of the most contemptible
fellows in the world. All Vienna knows that I have left.
The Archbishop knows why, knows that it is because of
(14:29):
my injured honor, of an injury inflicted three times. And
I am to make a public denial, proclaim myself a
cur and the Archbishop a noble prince. No man can
do the former least of all I, and the second
can only be done by God, if he should choose
to enlighten him. Vienna May nineteenth, seventeen eighty one to
(14:51):
his father, who had asked him to return to the
service of the archbishop. One thirty seven. If it be
happiness to be rid of a prince who never pays
one but torments him to death, then I am happy.
For if I had to work from morning till night.
I would do it gladly rather than live off the
(15:11):
bounty of such a I do not care to call
him the name he deserves. I was forced to take
the step I did, and I cannot swerve a hair's
breath from it. Impossible Vienna, May nineteenth, seventeen eighty one,
one thirty eight. Salzburg is nothing now to me, except
(15:32):
it offer an opportunity to give the Count a kick,
even if it were in the public street. I desired
no satisfaction from the Archbishop, for he is not in
a position to offer me the kind that I want
and must have. Within a day or two, I shall
write to the Count, telling him what he can confidently
expect to receive from me the first time I meet him.
(15:53):
Be it where it may, except a place that commands
my respect. Vienna, June thirteenth, said seventeen eighty one to
his father. Count Arco's offense has been mentioned. On June sixteenth,
Mozart wrote, the hungry ass shall not escape my chastisement
if I have to wait twenty years, for as soon
as I see him, he shall come in contact with
(16:15):
my foot. Unless I should be so unfortunate as to
see him in the sanctuary. The reader will probably guess
that the translator is resorting to euphemisms in rendering Mozart's
language h. E. K. One thirty nine. It is the
heart that confers the patent of nobility on man. And
(16:37):
although I am no count, I probably have more honor
within me than many account menial or count. Whoever insults
me is a cur I shall begin by representing to
him with complete gravity how badly he did his business.
But at the end I shall have to assure him
in writing that he is to expect a kick and
(16:57):
a box on the ear for me. For if a
man is insults me, I have got to be revenged.
And if I give him no more than he gave me,
it is mere retaliation and not punishment. Besides, I should
thus put myself on a level with him, and am
too proud to compare myself with such a stupid guilding Vienna,
June twentieth, seventeen eighty one to his father. These expressions,
(17:22):
called out by the insulting treatment received from the Archbishop
and Count Arco, are in striking contrast to Mozart's habitual amiability.
One I can easily believe that the court parasites will
look asconce at you. But why need you disturb yourself
about such a miserable pack. The more inimical such persons
(17:43):
are to you, the greater the pride and contempt with
which you should look down upon them. Vienna, June twentieth,
seventeen seventy eight, to his father, who fears that some
of the consequences of his son's step may be visited
upon him one forty one. I do not ask of
(18:04):
you that you make disturbance or enter the least complaint,
but the archbishop and the whole pack must fear to
speak to you about this matter. For you, if compelled, can,
without the slightest alarm, say frankly that you would be
ashamed to have reared a son who would have accepted
abuse from such an infamous cur as Arco. And you
(18:25):
may assure all that if I had the good luck
to meet him to day, I should treat him as
he deserves, and that he would have occasion to remember
me the rest of his life. All that I want
is that everybody shall see in your bearing that you
have nothing to fear. Keep quiet, but if necessary, speak
and then to some purpose. Vienna, July fourth, seventeen eighty one,
(18:49):
to his father one forty two. I may say that
because of Vogler, Winter was always my greatest enemy. But
because he is a beast in his motive of life
and in all other matters a child, I would be
ashamed to set down a single word on his account.
He deserves the contempt of all honorable men. I will
(19:10):
therefore not tell infamous truths rather than infamous lies about him. Vienna,
December twenty second, seventeen eighty one, to his father, to
whose ears Peter Winter, a composer, had brought slanderous reports
concerning mot Start and his Constanza. Winter was a pupil
of Abbe Vogler see number sixty six one forty three.
(19:35):
He is a nice fellow and a good friend of mine.
I might often dine with him, but it is accustomed
with me never to take pay for my favors, nor
would a dish of soup pay them. Yet such people
have wonderful notions of what they accomplish with one. I
am fond of doing favors for people, but they must
not plague me. She the daughter, is not satisfied if
(19:59):
I spend two hours every day with her, but wants
me to loll about the whole day. Yet she tries
to play the well behaved one Vienna, August twenty second,
seventeen eighty one, to his father. Mozart is writing about
a landlord and his daughter, concerning whom favorable reports had
reached the ears of the father. Mozart explains matters, and
(20:23):
soon therefore announces a change of lodgings. One forty four.
I beg of you that when you write to me
about something in my conduct which is displeasing to you,
and I in turn give you my views, let it
always be a matter between father and son, and therefore
a secret not to be divulged to others. Let our
(20:44):
letters suffice, and do not address yourself to others, For
by Heaven I will not give a finger's length of
accounting concerning my doings or omissions to others, not even
to the Emperor himself. I have cares and anxieties of
my own, and have no use for petulant letters. Vienna,
September fifth, seventeen eighty one, to his father, who lent
(21:08):
a willing ear to gossips and was never cherry in
his reproaches Mozart was already twenty five years old one
forty five. If I were a vaidmir, I would demand
the following satisfaction from the Emperor. He should endure fifty
strokes at the same place in my presence, and then
(21:29):
he should pay me six thousand ducats. If I could
not obtain this satisfaction, I should take none but thrust
a dagger through his heart at the first opportunity. N b.
He has already had an offer of three thousand ducats
on condition that he does not come to Vienna, but
permits the matter to drop. The people of Innsbruck say
(21:50):
a vaidmuir, he who was scourged for our sake, will
also redeem us Vienna. August eighth, seventeen eighty one to
his father, Herr von Weidmer, was a nobleman and theater
director who without cause, had been sentenced to a whipping
by the President, Count Volkenstein on the complaint of another nobleman.
(22:13):
Mozart's bloodthirstiness was probably due to memories of Arco's kick
still rankling in his heart. It was only after long
solicitation from his father that he abandoned his plan to
send Arko the threatened letter h e k. One forty six.
You probably already know that the musico Marquesi Marcasius di Milano,
(22:37):
was poisoned in Naples, But how he was in love
with the Duchess, and her real amant grew jealous and
sent three or four bravos to Marquesi and left him
the choice of drinking poison or being massacred. He chose
the poison. Being a timid Italian. He died alone and
left his gentleman murderers to live in rest and peace.
(22:58):
Had they come into my room, I would have taken
a few of them with me into the other world,
as long as some one had to die pity for
so excellent a singer Munich December thirtieth, seventeen eighty to
his father Mozart on the whole was one of the
most peaceable men on earth. But he was not wanting
in personal courage, and he could fly into transports of
(23:22):
rage one forty seven. If you were to write also
to Prince Zeal, I should be glad but short and good.
Do not, by any means crawl that I cannot endure.
Mannheim December's tenth, seventeen seventy seven to his father. Count
Ferdinand von Ziel, was Prince Bishop of Chimsey and favorably
(23:46):
disposed towards Mozart, who was hoping for an appointment in Munich.
If he wants to do something, he can all Munich
told me that nothing came of it. One forty eight.
Whoever judges me by such bagatelles is also a scamp.
Mozart wrote many occasional pieces for his friends, fitting them
(24:07):
to the player's capacities. Mozart said that the publisher who
bought some of these bagatelles and printed them without applying
to him was a scamp lump, but took no proceedings
against him. One nine. Very well, then I shall earn
nothing more. Go hungry and the devil a bit while
(24:27):
I care. Mozart's answer to Hofmeister, the Leipzig publisher, who
had said, write in a more popular style, or I
can neither print nor pay for anything of yours. End
of chapter eleven.
Chapter eleven of Mozart, The Man and the Artist, as
revealed in his own words. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
by Rebecca Case Mozart The Man and the Artist, as
(00:25):
Revealed in his own words by Friedrich Kerst, translated by
Henry Carbeil. Chapter eleven, Self respect and honor. Beethoven is
said to have been the first musician who compelled respect
for his graft. He who prouder than Gote, associated with
royalties and said of himself, I too am a king.
(00:48):
Mozart rose from a dependent position, which brought him most
grievous humiliations. He was looked upon as a servant of
the Archbishop of Salzburg and treated accordingly. At the time,
composers and musicians had no higher standing. Mozart feels the
intolerableness of his position and protests against it on every opportunity.
(01:11):
He is conscious of his worth and intellectual superiority. When
he endures the grossest indignities from his tormentor Archbishop Hieronymus,
it is for the sake of his father, whom he
would save from annoyance. In all things else he follows
the example of his father, but in the matter of
self respect he admonishes and encourages his parent. Although Beethoven
(01:36):
rudely rejected the condescending good will of the great which
would have made Mozart happy, and demanded respect as an equal,
it must be confessed that the generally manly conduct of
Mozart was an excellent preparation of the Viennese soil. One
twenty I wish that the elector were here. He might
(01:57):
hear something to his advantage. He knows nothing about me,
knows nothing about my ability. What a pity that these
grand gentlemen take everybody's word and are unwilling to investigate
for themselves. It's always the way. I am willing to
make a test. Let him summon all the composers in Munich,
and even invite a few from Italy, Germany, England and Spain.
(02:21):
I will trust myself in a competition with them all. Munich,
October two, seventeen seventy seven. To his father, Mozart had
hoped to secure an appointment in Munich, but was disappointed.
One twenty one. I could scarcely refrain from laughing. When
(02:41):
I was introduced to the people. A few who knew
me par Renomonet were very polite and respectful. Others who
know nothing about me stared at me as if they
were a bit amused. They think that because I am
small and young, that there can be nothing great and
old in me, But they shall soon find out. Manheim
(03:04):
October thirty first, seventeen seventy seven to his father one
twenty two. We poor common folk must not only take
wives whom we love and who love us, but we
may can and want to take such, because we are
neither noble, well born, nor rich, but lowly, mean and poor.
(03:28):
Hence we do not need rich wives, because our wealth
dies with us, being in our heads. Of this wealth,
no man can rob us unless he cuts off our heads,
in which case we shall have need of nothing more. Mannheim,
February seventh, seventeen seventy eight to his father. Mozart had
(03:49):
fallen in love with Aloisa, daughter of the poor musician
Weber one twenty three. I will gladly give lessons to
a blome, particularly if I see that a person has
talent and a joyous desire to learn but to go
to a house at a fixed hour or wait at
home for the arrival of some one that I cannot do,
(04:13):
no matter how much it might yield me. I leave
that to others who can do nothing else than play
the claverer. For me it is impossible. I am a
composer and was born to be a chapel master. I
dare not thus bury the talent for composition which a
kind God gave me in such generous measure. I say
(04:33):
more this without pride, for I feel it now more
than ever before, and that is what I shall do.
Had I many pupils. Teaching is a restless occupation, and
I would rather neglect claver playing than composition. The clavier
is a side issue, though, thank God, a strong one.
(04:54):
Mannheim February seventh, seventeen seventy eight to his father, whom
I have read the words with sorrow, since he and
his daughter Nnira were labouriously giving lessons and practicing economy
to make Mozar's journey possible, and had to advance money
to him. One four. I know of a certainty that
(05:16):
the Emperor intends to establish a German opera in Vienna,
and is earnestly seeking a young conductor who understands a
German language, has genius and is capable of giving the
world something new. Benda of Gota is seeking the place,
and Schweitzer is also an applicant. I believe this would
be a good thing for me, but with good pay.
(05:37):
As a matter of course, if the Emperor will give
me a thousand florins, I will write a German opera
for him. And if then he does not wish to
retain me, all right, I beg of you. Write to
all the good friends in Vienna whom you can think of,
that I would do honor to the Emperor. If there
is no other way, let him try me with an opera. Mannheim,
(05:59):
January tenth, seventeen seventy eight to his father one twenty five.
The greatest favor that Herr Grimm showed me was to
lend me fifteen louisd'or in dribblets at the life and
death of my blessed mother. Is he fearful that the
loan will not be returned? If so, he truly deserves
(06:21):
a kick, For he shows distrust of my honesty, the
only thing that can throw me into a rage, and
also of my talent. In a word, he belongs to
the Italian Party, is deceitful, and is seeking to oppress me. Paris,
September eleventh, seventeen seventy eight, to his father, who was
on a friendly footing with the French encyclopodist Grimm since
(06:45):
the first artistic tour made with little Wolfgang in seventeen
sixty three, when he owed many favors to grim. Apparently
Mozart here does an injustice to his patron, who, it
is true, thought highly of the Italian Paccini one twenty
six on my honor. I can't help it. It's the
(07:05):
kind of man I am lately. When he spoke to
me rudely, foolishly and stupidly, I did not dare to
say to him that he need not worry about the
fifteen Louis d'Or, for fear that I might offend him.
I did nothing but endure and ask if he were ready,
And then your obedient servant, Paris, September eleventh, seventeen seventy eight,
(07:28):
to his father, at whose request Baron Grimm had received
the young artist in Paris, but at the same time
had exercised a sort of artistic guardianship over him. Wolfgang
had written to his father as early as August twenty seven.
If you write to him, do not be too humble
in your thanks. There are reasons. On another occasion. Grim
(07:52):
is able to assist children, but not adults. Do not
imagine that he is the man he was one twenty seven.
You know that I want nothing more than good employment,
good in character, and good in recompense. Let it be
where it will, if the place be but Catholic. But
(08:12):
if the Salzburgians want me, they must satisfy my desires,
or they will certainly not get me. Paris, July third,
seventeen seventy eight, to his father, who wished to see
his son in the surface of the archipiscopal court at
Salzburg one twenty eight. The Prince must have confidence either
(08:34):
in you or me, and give us complete control of
everything relating to music. Otherwise all will be in vain.
For in Salzburg everybody or nobody has to do with music.
If I were to undertake it, I should demand free
hands in matters musical. The head court chamberlain should have
nothing to say. A cavalier cannot be a conductor, but
(08:58):
a conductor could well be a caval Paris, July ninth,
seventeen seventy eight, one twenty nine. If the Archbishop were
to entrust it to me, I would soon make his
music famous, that's sure. But I have one request to
make at Salzburg, and that is that I should not
(09:20):
be placed among the violins where I used to be.
I'll never make a fiddler. I will conduct at the
clavert and accompany the arias. It would have been a
good thing if I had secured a written assurance of
the conductorship Paris, September eleventh, seventeen seventy eight, to his father,
who had urged him to return to Salzburg to receive
(09:41):
an appointment to the conductorship. Mozart seems to have a
premonition of the treatment which he received later from the
archbishop one thirty. I must admit that I should reach
Salzburg with a lighter heart if I were not aware
that I have taken service there. It is only this
thought that is intolerable. Put yourself in my place and
(10:04):
think it over at Salzburg. I do not know who
or what I am. I am everything and at times nothing.
I do not demand too much or too little, only something.
If I am Something Strasburg, October fifteenth, seventeen seventy eight,
to his father while returning from Paris, filled with repugnance
(10:26):
to the Archbishop, for aside from obeying a praiseworthy and
beautiful motive, he means filial affection. I am really committing
the greatest folly in the world. He writes in the
same letter one thirty one. The Archbishop cannot recompense me
for the slavery in Salzburg. As I have said, I
(10:48):
experienced great pleasure when I think of visiting you again,
but nothing but vexation and fear at the thought of
seeing myself at that beggarly court again. The Archbishop must
not attempt to put on grand airs with me as
he used to. It is not impossible. It is even
likely that I would put my fingers to my nose,
and I know full well that you would enjoy it
(11:10):
as much as I. Mannheim November twelfth, seventeen seventy eight,
to his father one thirty two at eleven o'clock in
the forenoon, a little too early for me. Unfortunately, we
already go to table. We dine together the two temporal
(11:30):
and spiritual valets. Mister the controller, mister Zetti, the confectioner, Messrs.
The two cooks Cesarelli Bruetti, and my insignificance n. B.
The two valets sit at the head of the table.
I have at least the honor of sitting above the cooks. Well,
I simply think I am at Salzburg at dinner. A
(11:52):
great many course and silly jokes are cracked, but not
at me, because I do not speak a word unless
of necessity. And then with the utmost seriousness, as soon
as I have dined, I go my way. Vienna March seventeenth,
seventeen eighty one to his father. The archbishop was visiting
Vienna and had brought with him his best musicians, whom, however,
(12:17):
he treated shabbily at length. The rupture came. Mozart was dismissed,
literally with a kick. One thirty three. Believe me, best
of fathers, that I must summon all my manhood to
write to you what reason commands. God knows how hard
it is for me to leave you. But if beggary
were my lot, I would no longer serve such a master.
(12:40):
For that I shall never forget as long as I live,
and I beg of you I beg of you, for
the sake of everything in the world. Encourage me in
my determination, instead of trying to dissuade me. That would
unfit me for what I must do, for it is
my desire and hope to win honor, fame, and money,
and I hope to be of great service to you
(13:00):
in Vienna than in Salzburg, Vienna, May twelfth, seventeen eighty
one to his father one thirty four. I did not
know that I was a valet de chambre, and that
broke my neck. I ought to have wasted a few
hours every forenoon in the ante chamber. I was often
(13:22):
told that I should let myself be seen, but I
could not recall that this was my duty, and came
punctually only when the archbishop summoned me. Vienna, May twelfth,
seventeen eighty one, one thirty five. To please you, best
of fathers, I would sacrifice my happiness, my health, and
my life. But my honor is my own and ought
(13:44):
to be above all else to you. Let Count Arco
and all Salzburg read this letter, Vienna, May nineteenth, seventeen
eighty one. It was Count Arco who had dismissed Mozart
with a kick. The father was thrown into consternation at
the maltreatment of his son and sought to persuade Mozart
to return to Salzburg. Mozart replied, best, dearest father, ask
(14:09):
of me anything you please, but not that the very
thought makes me tremble with rage. One thirty six. You
did not think when you wrote this that such a
backstep would stamp me as one of the most contemptible
fellows in the world. All Vienna knows that I have left.
The Archbishop knows why, knows that it is because of
(14:29):
my injured honor, of an injury inflicted three times. And
I am to make a public denial, proclaim myself a
cur and the Archbishop a noble prince. No man can
do the former least of all I, and the second
can only be done by God, if he should choose
to enlighten him. Vienna May nineteenth, seventeen eighty one to
(14:51):
his father, who had asked him to return to the
service of the archbishop. One thirty seven. If it be
happiness to be rid of a prince who never pays
one but torments him to death, then I am happy.
For if I had to work from morning till night.
I would do it gladly rather than live off the
(15:11):
bounty of such a I do not care to call
him the name he deserves. I was forced to take
the step I did, and I cannot swerve a hair's
breath from it. Impossible Vienna, May nineteenth, seventeen eighty one,
one thirty eight. Salzburg is nothing now to me, except
(15:32):
it offer an opportunity to give the Count a kick,
even if it were in the public street. I desired
no satisfaction from the Archbishop, for he is not in
a position to offer me the kind that I want
and must have. Within a day or two, I shall
write to the Count, telling him what he can confidently
expect to receive from me the first time I meet him.
(15:53):
Be it where it may, except a place that commands
my respect. Vienna, June thirteenth, said seventeen eighty one to
his father. Count Arco's offense has been mentioned. On June sixteenth,
Mozart wrote, the hungry ass shall not escape my chastisement
if I have to wait twenty years, for as soon
as I see him, he shall come in contact with
(16:15):
my foot. Unless I should be so unfortunate as to
see him in the sanctuary. The reader will probably guess
that the translator is resorting to euphemisms in rendering Mozart's
language h. E. K. One thirty nine. It is the
heart that confers the patent of nobility on man. And
(16:37):
although I am no count, I probably have more honor
within me than many account menial or count. Whoever insults
me is a cur I shall begin by representing to
him with complete gravity how badly he did his business.
But at the end I shall have to assure him
in writing that he is to expect a kick and
(16:57):
a box on the ear for me. For if a
man is insults me, I have got to be revenged.
And if I give him no more than he gave me,
it is mere retaliation and not punishment. Besides, I should
thus put myself on a level with him, and am
too proud to compare myself with such a stupid guilding Vienna,
June twentieth, seventeen eighty one to his father. These expressions,
(17:22):
called out by the insulting treatment received from the Archbishop
and Count Arco, are in striking contrast to Mozart's habitual amiability.
One I can easily believe that the court parasites will
look asconce at you. But why need you disturb yourself
about such a miserable pack. The more inimical such persons
(17:43):
are to you, the greater the pride and contempt with
which you should look down upon them. Vienna, June twentieth,
seventeen seventy eight, to his father, who fears that some
of the consequences of his son's step may be visited
upon him one forty one. I do not ask of
(18:04):
you that you make disturbance or enter the least complaint,
but the archbishop and the whole pack must fear to
speak to you about this matter. For you, if compelled, can,
without the slightest alarm, say frankly that you would be
ashamed to have reared a son who would have accepted
abuse from such an infamous cur as Arco. And you
(18:25):
may assure all that if I had the good luck
to meet him to day, I should treat him as
he deserves, and that he would have occasion to remember
me the rest of his life. All that I want
is that everybody shall see in your bearing that you
have nothing to fear. Keep quiet, but if necessary, speak
and then to some purpose. Vienna, July fourth, seventeen eighty one,
(18:49):
to his father one forty two. I may say that
because of Vogler, Winter was always my greatest enemy. But
because he is a beast in his motive of life
and in all other matters a child, I would be
ashamed to set down a single word on his account.
He deserves the contempt of all honorable men. I will
(19:10):
therefore not tell infamous truths rather than infamous lies about him. Vienna,
December twenty second, seventeen eighty one, to his father, to
whose ears Peter Winter, a composer, had brought slanderous reports
concerning mot Start and his Constanza. Winter was a pupil
of Abbe Vogler see number sixty six one forty three.
(19:35):
He is a nice fellow and a good friend of mine.
I might often dine with him, but it is accustomed
with me never to take pay for my favors, nor
would a dish of soup pay them. Yet such people
have wonderful notions of what they accomplish with one. I
am fond of doing favors for people, but they must
not plague me. She the daughter, is not satisfied if
(19:59):
I spend two hours every day with her, but wants
me to loll about the whole day. Yet she tries
to play the well behaved one Vienna, August twenty second,
seventeen eighty one, to his father. Mozart is writing about
a landlord and his daughter, concerning whom favorable reports had
reached the ears of the father. Mozart explains matters, and
(20:23):
soon therefore announces a change of lodgings. One forty four.
I beg of you that when you write to me
about something in my conduct which is displeasing to you,
and I in turn give you my views, let it
always be a matter between father and son, and therefore
a secret not to be divulged to others. Let our
(20:44):
letters suffice, and do not address yourself to others, For
by Heaven I will not give a finger's length of
accounting concerning my doings or omissions to others, not even
to the Emperor himself. I have cares and anxieties of
my own, and have no use for petulant letters. Vienna,
September fifth, seventeen eighty one, to his father, who lent
(21:08):
a willing ear to gossips and was never cherry in
his reproaches Mozart was already twenty five years old one
forty five. If I were a vaidmir, I would demand
the following satisfaction from the Emperor. He should endure fifty
strokes at the same place in my presence, and then
(21:29):
he should pay me six thousand ducats. If I could
not obtain this satisfaction, I should take none but thrust
a dagger through his heart at the first opportunity. N b.
He has already had an offer of three thousand ducats
on condition that he does not come to Vienna, but
permits the matter to drop. The people of Innsbruck say
(21:50):
a vaidmuir, he who was scourged for our sake, will
also redeem us Vienna. August eighth, seventeen eighty one to
his father, Herr von Weidmer, was a nobleman and theater
director who without cause, had been sentenced to a whipping
by the President, Count Volkenstein on the complaint of another nobleman.
(22:13):
Mozart's bloodthirstiness was probably due to memories of Arco's kick
still rankling in his heart. It was only after long
solicitation from his father that he abandoned his plan to
send Arko the threatened letter h e k. One forty six.
You probably already know that the musico Marquesi Marcasius di Milano,
(22:37):
was poisoned in Naples, But how he was in love
with the Duchess, and her real amant grew jealous and
sent three or four bravos to Marquesi and left him
the choice of drinking poison or being massacred. He chose
the poison. Being a timid Italian. He died alone and
left his gentleman murderers to live in rest and peace.
(22:58):
Had they come into my room, I would have taken
a few of them with me into the other world,
as long as some one had to die pity for
so excellent a singer Munich December thirtieth, seventeen eighty to
his father Mozart on the whole was one of the
most peaceable men on earth. But he was not wanting
in personal courage, and he could fly into transports of
(23:22):
rage one forty seven. If you were to write also
to Prince Zeal, I should be glad but short and good.
Do not, by any means crawl that I cannot endure.
Mannheim December's tenth, seventeen seventy seven to his father. Count
Ferdinand von Ziel, was Prince Bishop of Chimsey and favorably
(23:46):
disposed towards Mozart, who was hoping for an appointment in Munich.
If he wants to do something, he can all Munich
told me that nothing came of it. One forty eight.
Whoever judges me by such bagatelles is also a scamp.
Mozart wrote many occasional pieces for his friends, fitting them
(24:07):
to the player's capacities. Mozart said that the publisher who
bought some of these bagatelles and printed them without applying
to him was a scamp lump, but took no proceedings
against him. One nine. Very well, then I shall earn
nothing more. Go hungry and the devil a bit while
(24:27):
I care. Mozart's answer to Hofmeister, the Leipzig publisher, who
had said, write in a more popular style, or I
can neither print nor pay for anything of yours. End
of chapter eleven.
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