The tale of the Mozarts’ journey from London to Vienna is often recounted as a series of remarkable successes. However, when stripped of the embellishments and exaggerations propagated by Leopold Mozart, a more complex and challenging reality emerges. This journey was marked by illness, failed opportunities, and the relentless ambition of a father determined to craft a legacy for his son.

London: The Harsh Reality Behind the Curtain

In 1764, following their Parisian experience, the Mozart family crossed the English Channel to conquer London. Leopold, ever eager to prove the family’s worth to his friends in Salzburg, seized every opportunity to showcase his children, even in the pubs of London, while awaiting an audience at court. However, this triumphant display was abruptly halted when Leopold fell seriously ill in July, forcing the family into a prolonged stay in Chelsea. During this time, Wolfgang, then just eight years old, composed a series of simple, flawed pieces under the guidance of his sister. These compositions, often lauded as early signs of genius, are rife with errors and demonstrate the limitations of young Wolfgang’s abilities at that time.

The improvisations that Wolfgang and Nannerl performed across Europe, including London, were not spontaneous bursts of creativity, but rather rehearsed and structured pieces. These performances, meticulously planned by Leopold, aimed to impress audiences with flashy scales and arpeggios, but lacked memorable melodies and depth. The often-cited claim that Wolfgang had already mastered composition by this age is contradicted by these rudimentary works, which reveal the struggles and imperfections of a young, developing musician.

Vienna: A City of Missed Opportunities

The next significant chapter in the Mozarts’ travels was their journey to Vienna in 1767. This visit, like their time in London, was plagued by misfortune. The outbreak of smallpox, which claimed the life of Archduchess Maria Josepha of Austria, forced the cancellation of the children’s planned performances at court. Leopold, always seeking to maintain the momentum of his children’s careers, was left frustrated and desperate as Wolfgang fell seriously ill. It took months for him to recover, and by the time the family was able to return to Vienna in early 1768, the initial buzz surrounding the young prodigies had faded.

Wolfgang, though still marketable due to his youthful appearance, was no longer the child wonder who had astonished European audiences. Leopold, undeterred by the setbacks, decided it was time to transition his son from a performer to a composer, even pushing him to write an Italian opera for the Viennese stage. This ambitious plan was Leopold’s way of asserting his and Wolfgang’s capabilities, particularly in the eyes of their skeptics in Salzburg.

The Burden of Ambition

Throughout these travels, Leopold’s relentless ambition is evident. He was determined to elevate his son’s status and secure a place for him in the annals of history, often at the expense of the family’s well-being. The struggles and setbacks they faced in London and Vienna highlight the pressures placed on young Wolfgang and the lengths to which Leopold would go to achieve his goals.