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Exploring the Evidence

The Borrowed Simplicity: Mozart’s Canons K.555, K.557, and K.562
The Borrowed Simplicity: Mozart’s Canons K.555, K.557, and K.562

The canons K.555, K.557, and K.562, often overlooked for their simplicity, reveal striking similarities with the works of Antonio Caldara. These three pieces, dated 1788, demonstrate how Mozart adapted and simplified Caldara’s contrapuntal structures, masking his influences while reflecting the galant style of the era.

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The Kolb Concerto: A Mozartian Mirage?
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.

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The Adélaïde Deception: Mozart’s “Lost” Violin Concerto and the Art of Musical Forgery
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.

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Mozart and the Nationalist Illusion: The 1931 Festival and Its Legacy
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.

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K.6 and K.7 Sonatas: A Fabricated Genius?
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.

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