Mozart’s Three Careers

In 1778, 22-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was trying to cope with a three-fold career–that of court musician, performer, and composer. On October 15th he wrote from Strassburg to his father Leopold in Salzburg:

“Dearest father! I assure you that if it weren’t for the joy of embracing you so soon I would certainly not return to Salzburg. For you alone, dear father, can sweeten for me the bitterness of Salzbuzg. But I have to confess that I would arrive in Salzburc more cheerfully if I weren’t in the service of the Court—a thought I find unbearable.

“Put yourself in my place. At Salzburg I never know where I stand. I’m supposed to be everything and yet–sometimes–nothing! In every other place I would know what my duties were.

“Everywhere else, whoever takes up the violin sticks with it. The same for the clavier and so on. But no doubt all of that can be arranged.

“Things here are in a bad way but the day after tomorrow I’m giving a subscription concert all by myself–for the sake of economy, to gratify some friends, amateurs, and connoisseurs. If I hired an orchestra it would cost me–including the lighting–
more than I might earn.

“Apparently my sonatas haven’t been engraved yet even though they were promised for the end of September. That’s what happens if you can’t take care of something yourself. It’s likely they’ll be fraught with mistakes because I haven’t been able to revise them myself but have had to get someone else to do it. And I’ll probably have to go to Munich without them.

“Seemingly trivial matters like these can often bring success, honor, and wealth or–on the other hand–disgrace.

“Well, so long. I embrace my dearest sister with all my heart and you, my most beloved father. I remain your most obedient son.