Life of Mozart - Ludwig Nohl

CHICAGO:
JANSEN, McCLURG, & COMPANY.
1880.

TRANSLATOR’S NOTE.

Mr. Louis Nohl, the author of the present little volume, has merited for himself in Germany a high reputation as a writer of the biographies of musicians, and some of his larger works have appeared in English on the other side of the Atlantic. The present is the first translation into our language of his shorter Life of Mozart. It will, we trust, prove acceptable to those who desire to learn the chief events in the life of the great composer, to see how his life influenced his compositions, and how his great works are, in many instances at least, the expression of his own joys and sorrows, the picture of his own soul in tones.

The translator’s grateful acknowledgments are due to Mr. A. W. Dohn, of Chicago, who was kind enough to compare the entire translation with the original. His thorough knowledge of music and German, no less than his rare familiarity with the English language, have largely contributed to the fidelity of this translation.

J. J. L.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
CHILDHOOD AND EARLY TRAVELS.
Mozart’s Parentage—Early Development of his Genius—Character as aChild—Travels at the Age of Six—Received by Maria Theresa andMarie Antoinette—Mozart and Goethe—Meeting with Madame dePompadour—The London Bach’s Opinion of Young Mozart—Askedto Write an Opera by Joseph II—Assailed by Envy—Padre Martini—NotesDown the Celebrated Miserere from Ear—The Pope Confers onhim the Order of the Golden Spurs—A Member of the PhilharmonicSociety of Bologna—First Love—Personal Appearance—Troubleswith the Archbishop,	[ 7-41]
CHAPTER II.
THE GREAT PARISIAN ARTISTIC JOURNEY.
Disgusted with Salzburg—In Vienna Again—Salzburg Society—Characterof Musicians in the Last Century—Jerome Colloredo, Archbishop ofSalzburg—Mozart’s Letter to Him—The Father’s Solicitude for HisSon—Paternal Advice—New Compositions—Incidents of his Journey—Meetswith Opposition—Secret Enemies—His Ambition to Elevatethe Character of the German Opera—Disappointments—His Descriptionof German “Free City” Life—Meeting with Stein—In his Uncle’sFamily—“Baesle”—Meeting with the Cannabichs—Attachmentfor Rosa Cannabich—Influence of this Attachment on his Music—TheWeber Family—The Non so d’Onde Viene—Circumstances of itsComposition,	[ 42-82]
CHAPTER III.
IDOMENEO.
New Disappointments—Opposition of the Abbe Vogler—Mozart and thePoet Wieland—Wieland’s Impressions of Mozart—German Opera andJoseph II—The Weber Family—Aloysia Weber—Mozart’s Plans—HisFather Opposes them and his Attachment for Aloysia—Mozart’s Musicand Heart-trials—In Paris—Disappointments there—Contrast BetweenParisian and German Life—New Intrigues Against Him—InvitedBack to Salzburg—“Faithless” Aloysia—Meeting of Fatherand Son—Reception in Salzburg—“King Thamos”—Character ofMozart’s Music Composed at this time—Invitation to Compose theIdomeneo—Its Success—Effect on the Italian Opera,	[ 83-117]
CHAPTER IV.
ELOPEMENT FROM THE SERAGLIO—FIGARO—DON GIOVANNI.
Opinions on the Idomeneo—Tired of Salzburg—Goes to Vienna—TheArchbishop Again—Mozart Treated by Him with Indignity—PaternalReproaches—Assailed by Slander—He Leaves Salzburg—Experiencesin Vienna—Austrian Society—The German Stage—The Emperor Expressesa Wish that Mozart might Write a New Opera—Mozart’s Lovefor Constance Weber—Description of Constance—The New Opera—Mozart’sMarriage—The Emperor’s Opinion of Mozart’s Music—Mozart’sInterest In the Figaro—Its Composition—Its Success—Mozart’sPoverty—In Bohemia—His Popularity in Prague—Meaning of theDon Giovanni—Richard Wagner on Mozart,	[ 118-180]
CHAPTER V.
THE MAGIC FLUTE—TITUS—THE REQUIEM.
Haydn’s Opinion of Mozart—Made Court Composer by Joseph II—DonGiovanni in Vienna—Mozart’s Extreme Poverty—His Cheerfulnessunder Adverse Circumstances—“The Song of the Swan”—OtherCompositions—Mozart’s Opinion of Handel—Acquaintance with SebastianBach—Mozart’s Opinion of Church Music—Mozart’s Characteristics—Audiencewith the Emperor—Petition to His Imperial Majesty—HisReligious Feelings—Joins the Free Masons—History of theMagic Flute—The Mysterious Stranger—The Requiem—Success ofthe Magic Flute—Mozart as Reflected in his Music—His Industry—LastIllness—Strange Fancies—His Last Days—His Death,	[ 181-236]

THE LIFE OF MOZART.