The sheer impossibility of doing justice to Mozart is beginning to show—so much great music has been ignored here. But as we gather steam on Mozart’s influence on the Romantics, half a century later, let’s take a look at one of his most daring compositions, the Quartet No. 19 in C Major. In or around … Continue reading Mozart, Innovator of Advanced Harmonics →

Mozart's virtuosity was often and best expressed at the insturment he is most closely associated with--the piano. His series of piano concertos, Nos. 20-24, rank among the greatest music ever written.  First up is the Andante of the 21st, which is one of Mozart's most famous tunes, popping up in movies with stunning regularity. W.A. … Continue reading Mozart the Virtuoso of the Piano →

At the peak of his powers during the 1780s, Mozart's ability to weave a mesmerizing spell of music remains pretty much unrivaled in music history. There are hints of something darker and wilder lurking behind this music, but those doors would remain closed for the time being. Ever the businessman, Mozart was concerned about alienating … Continue reading Mozart the Virtuoso of the Opera House →

The entry from last week left off with Mozart freshly returned to Salzburg from his disastrous trip to Paris. Mozart again found himself, at 24, chaffing under the twin yokes of his father Leopold (who had decidedly not forgiven his son for allowing his mother to die in Paris for want of medical attention) and … Continue reading Breaking Away →