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Exploring the Evidence

The Italian Journey
The Italian Journey

The Mozarts’ Italian journey of 1769 was not a leisurely Grand Tour but a strategic mission driven by ambition, navigating the treacherous roads of 18th-century Europe in pursuit of fame and fortune.

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Mozart’s Music or Marketing Strategy?
Mozart’s Music or Marketing Strategy?

Despite Köchel’s best intentions, his catalogue of Mozart’s works became a commercial tool, filled with questionable pieces added by publishers keen on profit rather than accuracy.

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#1 A Man of Cunning
#1 A Man of Cunning

In the end, Leopold Mozart’s life was a testament to survival in a world where his talents were often overshadowed by those of his more gifted contemporaries and his own son. While his “Violinschule” remains a notable contribution to music pedagogy, it is clear that Leopold’s legacy is as much about his ability to navigate the challenges of his time as it is about his musical achievements. His story is one of ambition, adaptation, and the lengths to which one man would go to secure his place in history, even if that place was built on borrowed foundations.
@MozartrazoM

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The Curious Case of Mozart’s “Lullaby”
The Curious Case of Mozart’s “Lullaby”

Though long credited to Mozart, the lullaby “Schlafe mein Prinzchen, schlaf ein” hides a murky history. Initially published by Nissen, Constanze’s second husband, it has endured as one of Mozart’s supposed works—despite a trail of doubts. In 1798, Constanze herself noted sending “another piece of Mozart’s in place of the lullaby,” raising questions about its origins. By the 20th century, researchers revealed it as the work of lesser-known composers, yet it remains deceptively tied to Mozart, its myth surviving through mere footnotes.

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The Contradictions Behind Mozart’s Horn Concerto K.412
The Contradictions Behind Mozart’s Horn Concerto K.412

The authenticity of Mozart’s Horn Concerto K.412 remains hotly debated, as the work bears numerous contradictions in its manuscript history. The first movement may be original, but what about the rest? The inclusion of Franz Xaver Süssmayr and later editorial meddling raises serious questions about what we are really listening to when we hear this ‘Mozart’ concerto.

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The Mysterious Case of Mozart’s Duets: An Unfinished Story
The Mysterious Case of Mozart’s Duets: An Unfinished Story

Mozart’s string duets have long been shrouded in mystery, from his father’s heavy influence in 1768 to his supposed act of charity for a dying Michael Haydn in 1783. These unfinished works reveal more about the composer’s life and struggles than they do about his musical genius.

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