Our Journal
Exploring the Evidence
The Echo of the Pummerin Bell
The powerful resonance of the Pummerin bell in Vienna may have influenced Mozart’s compositions, particularly Sarastro’s arias in The Magic Flute.
The Hidden Influence of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-George
Joseph Boulogne, known as the “Black Mozart”, was shaping the future of music while Mozart was still struggling for recognition in Paris. But history has buried the significant influence Saint-George had on Mozart’s career, erasing his pioneering style from the narrative.
The Forgotten Viennese Quartets
Attributing Offertorium K.34 to Mozart is not just misleading, it reflects the careless methods used by 19th-century scholars to inflate his legacy. Without an autograph or solid evidence, this work should not be considered part of his output.”
Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto: A Question of Authorship
The Bassoon Concerto K.191 raises more questions than it answers. Long thought to have been composed for a Munich bassoonist, new evidence suggests Mozart had no clear performer in mind. The concerto’s disjointed movements and other dubious compositions attributed to Mozart add further complexity to his legacy
The Uncertain Origins of Mozart’s Early String Quartets
Mozart’s so-called “Milanese Quartets” (K.155, 158, and 159) have long been subject to debate, primarily due to their ambiguous instrumentation and structural weaknesses. Were these works part of a larger series of orchestral divertimenti, hastily repurposed as string quartets? The answer remains elusive, reflecting the young composer’s struggles to find his own voice.
Simplicity, Errors, and the Myth of Perfection
Mozart’s canons are not as complex as often claimed, with notable errors in K.553 and K.554, and the myth of “V’amo di cuore teneramente” K.348 being debunked.
When the Myth Collapsed
Vienna exposed the myth: La Finta semplice was riddled with errors, and Wolfgang’s supposed opera genius was nothing more than Leopold’s fabrication. With their reputation in ruins, father and son turned to Italy, hoping to rewrite history.
The London Notebook and the Vienna Disaster
Far from the myth of a flawless young genius, Mozart’s London Notebook reveals musical struggles and guided exercises, while the Vienna opera disaster proved that his father played a far greater role in his compositions than legend would have us believe.
Versailles, Vanity, and the Pursuit of Prestige
Leopold Mozart’s letters transformed his son’s European tour into a carefully staged fantasy—filled with exaggerated encounters, fabricated royal admiration, and a relentless pursuit of social prestige. But how much of it was real?