(C) Photo by Tanathip Rattanatum
If you have been following my blog, you’ll know that classical music one is my favorite forms of music. If not, you know now. I acquired a taste for it in my younger years since my father played it around the house, and I liked the humorous announcers on the local classical station. It was a gem of a station that made classical music humorous and fit into everyday life. Some of that, I learned after I returned home from college where I had taken a course in music history.
What I find interesting about the classical music world is its celebration of the birthdays and deceased days of composers who are basically, well, dead. The greater the composer was, the more of a celebration! Such is the case with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was born in 1756. I wasn’t there for the occasion, but I have read about it in reliable sources. One of the celebrations I attended was in 1991, when the classical world memorialized the 200th anniversary of his death.
Today, Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, and would have been 269 years old. He died in Vienna, Austria, after living a short 36 years—an Austrian composer who became known as one of the greatest composers in Western music. Almost everyone, if not everyone, is familiar with at least one or two of his works through concerts, films, and even television commercials. He was born a genius who started writing and performing music at an early age. Unlike other composers, he composed in all the music genres of his day, excelling in them all. His work made him seem the most universal composer.
In 1990, I had the opportunity to travel to Europe with a buddy. I wasn’t as much of a classical music lover back then, so I didn’t plan my trip with a music focus to it. However, I managed to visit the birthplace of Beethoven in Bonn, Germany, and Mozart in Salzburg, Austria. As I toured each place, several street musicians played classical music, bringing the town to life. His birthplace and his home were very humble. It was one of those trips that I have been thankful that I took at a young age when I had fewer challenges with Charcot-Marie-Tooth. I could do it now, however, there would have to be much more planning, including learning what type of surfaces I would be walking on. Today, I would need my braces to enjoy it; even then, it would be painful. I remember touring the Fortress Hohensalzburg (the castle in the photo above), which sits on a high hill overlooking the city, where walking was a challenge. My buddy and I enjoyed Mozart’s music throughout, and we enjoyed the view while eating a snack at a little cafe. Obviously, most tourists came to the town to listen to his music and learn about the greatness of Mozart.
How do you celebrate the birthday of a deceased composer? You could have a birthday cake, crumpets, tea, and coffee. Gifts aren’t required. Cakes or cookies aren’t either. In my case, I won’t do anything like that as I do not need the sweets and I wouldn’t know what to buy a dead person. However, I will listen to hours of Mozart’s music on compact discs and streaming services.
Saturday, I began my celebration of Mozart’s birth by listening to his symphonies and concertos, which are popular these days. Yesterday, I listened to organ music and a few masses. After all, Mozart wrote 600 works of music, including symphonies, concertos, operas, chamber music, choral music, masses, and a requiem.
I will toast, with a huge glass of milk, to a remarkable composer who helped me find the beauty in classical music. Cheers! Happy Mozart’s Birthday!
