Our Journal
Exploring the Evidence
Mozart’s Quartet of Lodi: A Dated Work with Many Influences
Mozart’s Quartet of Lodi is often praised as an early masterpiece. But was it really his own work?
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.
Mozart’s Violin Pieces: Substitutes for Failed Movements?
Despite revisions, Mozart’s violin concertos remain flawed, while his minor pieces, K.261 and K.373, surprisingly garner more attention in his correspondence than his major works.
The Questionable Origins of Mozart’s Violin Concertos
Are Mozart’s violin concertos truly original? This article explores the possibility that the Czech composer Josef Mysliveček played a far larger role in their creation than previously acknowledged.
The Kolb Concerto: A Mozartian Mirage?
The Kolb Concerto’s dubious origin and poor musical quality expose yet another myth in the Mozartian canon. If this is the work of a genius, then perhaps we’ve been fooled for centuries.
The Adélaïde Deception: Mozart’s “Lost” Violin Concerto and the Art of Musical Forgery
In the early 20th century, the “discovery” of Mozart’s sixth violin concerto in Paris created a sensation. Dubbed the Adélaïde Concerto and supposedly written for Madame Adélaïde of France, it was hailed as a testament to Mozart’s genius. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this masterpiece was not the work of the child prodigy but rather a carefully orchestrated hoax by Marius Casadesus. Despite its unmasking as a forgery, the concerto continues to captivate audiences, raising questions about authenticity and the music industry’s willingness to deceive for profit.
Mozart and the Nationalist Illusion: The 1931 Festival and Its Legacy
The Salzburg Festival, far from being a mere celebration of Mozart’s genius, was born out of nationalist ambitions during a turbulent period in Austro-German history. Conceived by figures like Max Reinhardt, Heinrich Damisch, and Friedrich Gehmacher, the festival was deeply rooted in ultranationalistic ideals, transforming Mozart’s legacy into a tool for cultural dominance. The truth behind its founding has long been obscured, but the primary sources tell a different, darker story.
K.6 and K.7 Sonatas: A Fabricated Genius?
The earliest sonatas of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, K.6 and K.7, are traditionally seen as proof of his precocious genius. But as we explore the murky origins of these works, we find that they may be more a product of Leopold Mozart’s ambition than Wolfgang’s musical talent. The truth, as always, lies somewhere between the notes.
Georg Nissen and the Missing Notebooks – Part II
This second part delves deeper into Georg Nissen’s scheme to expose the truth about Mozart’s death, and the roles of Constanze Mozart and her sons in keeping it buried. As new details emerge, the mystery surrounding the famous composer’s final days grows even darker, with powerful forces potentially at play.