Scan 46
Stokes Encyclopedia Of Music And Musicians Volume Ii, 1908
2 lines. Read by computer on 18 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1honours appear to have been even, was an event of this period. A friendship with Haydn sprang up which endured with life, and seems to have influenced the work of both composers, and Mozart was at last commissioned by the Emperor to write an opera, the "Entführung aus dem Serail," July 16, 1782, which was a popular success, though not admired by the sovereign himself. From the same period date his symphony in D, 385, and the "Nachtmusik" for wind instruments in C minor, known also as a string quintet, 388. The Webers, with whom Mozart had been intimate in Mannheim, were now settled in Vienna. Mozart lodged at their house, and, despite the opposition of his father, married Constanze Weber, Aug. 4, 1782. Four sons and two daughters were the issue of this marriage. Husband and wife were equally improvident, Mozart's income was uncertain at best, and his life was thenceforth harried by financial troubles. He began, but failed to complete, the comic operas "L'Oca del Cairo" and "Lo Sposo deluso," but while on a visit to Salzburg with his bride, produced a new mass in honour of his marriage, 427, and two duets for violin and viola, 423, 424, for Michael Haydn, whom the Archbishop had threatened to dismiss from his post of concertmeister because he was too ill to work. The piano concerto for Marie T. Paradies, 456, and the symphony, 425, were completed before the composer's return to Vienna, where he shortly afterwards enjoyed a return visit from his father. Leopold Mozart at this time, influenced by his son, already an enthusiastic member, joined the Masonic order. It is interesting to note that besides the symbolism of "Magic Flute," several of Mozart's works show Masonic inspiration: "Gesellenlied," 468; "Mauererfreude," 471; "Maurerische Trauermusik," 471; the choruses, 483, 484; the cantata, 623; the adagio for woodwinds, 411; and the cantata, 429. The cantata "Davidde penitente" was produced in March, 1785, at the Tonnkünstler Societat, and the composer again devoted himself to the theatre. "Der Schauspieldirektor," produced before the court, Feb. 7, 1786, was well received later at the Kärnthnerthor Theatre, a company of the nobility produced "Idomeneo" at the Auersperg Palace, and May 1, 1786 saw the first production of the ever popular "Nozze di Figaro." While waiting for another suitable libretto, he composed the symphony, 504, the contradanses for orchestra, 510, and the orchestral dances, 509. "Don Giovanni" was produced with equal success, but Mozart remained without financial reward for these great achievements. At a time when he had almost determined to quit Vienna for London, Gluck died, and the Emperor, who had been paying him 2000 gulden as court composer, appointed Mozart to that office at 800 gulden, or about $400 per annum. "Don Giovanni," which had been hailed in Prague as a masterpiece, did not at first please the Viennese. The E flat, G minor, and C (Jupiter) symphonies, 543, 550, and 551, his best works in this form, and his arrangements of Bach and Handel were completed before the spring of 1789, when Mozart left for Berlin as guest of Prince K. Lichnowsky. At Dresden, Leipsic, and Berlin the composer was well received. Frederick Wilhelm II offered him the post of chapelmaster with $3000 per annum salary, and commissioned the string quartets, 575, 589, 590. Loyalty to his "good Emperor" caused the composer to decline this excellent offer. He was rewarded by the commission for "Cosi fan tutte," which was having a run when the death of the Emperor, Feb. 20, 1790, plunged Vienna into mourning. Ignored by the new Emperor Leopold II, Mozart nevertheless pawned his plate to attend the coronation at Frankfort, where he gave a concert of his own works, playing before the courts of Mannheim and Munich on his way back to Vienna. The "Ave Verum," 618, and other works were begun at this time, and in March, 1791, he was requested by Schikaneder to compose the "Magic Flute." He was hard at
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