Unveiling the Truth Behind Mozart’s Thematic Catalogue
Groundbreaking Research Published in the Journal of Forensic Document Examination
Anna Trombetta, Professor Martin W. B. Jarvis from Charles Darwin University, and I, Luca Bianchini, have published a peer-reviewed article titled Unveiling a New Sophisticated Ink Analysis Technique, and Digital Image Processing: A Forensic Examination of Mozart’s Thematic Catalogue.
This research, which underwent an extensive double-blind peer review, has appeared in a journal that serves as a global reference point for forensic document examiners and court specialists.
Read the Full Article Here:
"Our findings reveal that the Thematic Catalogue, a supposed cornerstone of Mozart scholarship, is in fact a meticulously constructed posthumous forgery."
The Authors
What Did We Discover?
Our investigation reveals that Mozart’s Thematic Catalogue, long considered a primary source for dating his compositions from 1784 to 1791, is in fact a posthumous forgery created around 1798 at the behest of Constanze Mozart. This finding calls into question the attribution, dating, and cataloguing of many works credited to Mozart.
The Innovative Ink Analysis Technique
I developed a state-of-the-art software in C# that performs a non-destructive analysis of the inks used in historical manuscripts. By breaking down high-resolution images into their red, green, and blue (RGB) components, our method distinguishes between different ink compositions and exposes chronological inconsistencies. This approach not only revealed multiple stages of writing in the Thematic Catalogue but also offers potential applications for authenticating other 18th-century documents, such as manuscripts by Beethoven or other composers.
Why Does This Matter?
The implications are far-reaching. The Thematic Catalogue has underpinned the official narratives and cataloguing systems of Mozart’s works. Our findings necessitate a major re-evaluation of these attributions, affecting the entire field of Mozart scholarship.
Contact Us for More Information
We welcome discussions with journalists, musicologists, and forensic experts. If you have questions or wish to interview the research team, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Stay Updated
Follow our research and related events on Mozartrazom and our affiliated websites. We are committed to disseminating our findings broadly and engaging with a diverse international audience.
Thank you for your interest in our work. We invite you to explore, question, and rethink what you know about one of the most celebrated composers in history.
Keywords
- Mozart, Thematic Catalogue, forensic analysis, ink composition, manuscript authenticity, Constanze Mozart, Martin W. B. Jarvis, digital image processing, musicology, historical forgery, primary source verification.
You May Also Like
The Deceptive Nature of Mozart’s Catalogue
The Thematic Catalogue traditionally credited to Mozart is fraught with inaccuracies, suggesting that many of his famous works might not be his at all. This prompts a necessary reevaluation of Mozart’s legacy and the authenticity of his compositions.
From London to Vienna
The Mozart family’s journey from London to Vienna was marked by illness, failed opportunities, and the relentless ambition of Leopold Mozart, revealing the pressures and challenges behind the facade of success.
The Ambiguous Legacy of Leopold Mozart
This post explores the multifaceted and often controversial life of Leopold Mozart, providing insight into the complexities and contradictions that defined his career and legacy.
Mozart’s Illusory Triumphs
The story of the young Mozart’s so-called triumphs at the courts of Europe is a tale riddled with embellishments, half-truths, and fabrications—many courtesy of Leopold Mozart himself and those who later sought to mythologize his son. One such example is the visit to Munich on 12 January 1762.
The Vienna Disaster
The failure of La Finta Semplice in Vienna was a turning point for the Mozart family, revealing the cracks in the facade of Wolfgang’s prodigious reputation and prompting a desperate escape to Italy in search of redemption.
The Myth of Mozart’s Sight-Reading Genius
Mozart’s so-called sight-reading miracles were less about supernatural talent and more about clever improvisation, as two key 18th-century witnesses make clear.