Mozart

Coming up is our major offering for the day, Mozart's Symphony No. 39. The piece was written in 1788, near the end of Mozart's short but musically prolific life, and displays a mature lyricism that foreshadows the grandeur of his two final works.

Back in Mozart's time, it wasn't quite as unusual as it is today to make a living from writing music. Today, many composers survive hand-to-mouth if they quit their day job to pursue their calling. But in Mozart's day there were people called "patrons" who actually employed composers like they'd employ a butler. No home was really complete without its own composer.

Still, Mozart wasn't good with the money he earned and he and his wife Constanza often faced financial difficulty. In the book "Mozart: A Personal View," author Baron von Gottlieb quotes a letter Mozart wrote in which he describes a typical exchange in his household:

"She'll stand in my studio door (Mozart wrote) and harangue me."

Constanza: Wolfgang, what are you doing?

Wolfgang: Writing music.

Constanza (tapping foot): Really? And who is it for?

W: Uh, the emperor.

C: Oh, right; excuse the sarcasm, but has he paid for it up front?

W: No ...

C: Jesus, Wolfgang, we have to live somehow. Why don't you go get a job?

W: I'm a composer! I'm working hard!

C: Well, it's not bringing in any money. The dentist is hounding me to pay for little Wolfie's extractions. How can I pay?

W: Stanzie, I will not commute to a menial job.

C: Really! Too good for honest work, are you? Look, Mother was saying the butcher shop needs help. At least it would pay the rent.

W: For God's sake, Stanzie, get off my case.

C: You could compose in your spare time.

W: Yeah, once I got all the blood washed off. And if I didn't chop my fingers off while preparing pork loin for Frau Schnabelbein.

c: Why don't you just TRY it? It might work out. And FYI, the Schnabelbeins don't eat pork.

Fortunately, Mozart ignored his wife and eventually died penniless from an unidentified illness and was buried in a pauper's grave. Contrary to legend, it was not always unmarked. For years after his death, Stanzie maintained a marker engraved with the phrase, "I told you so."

And now, Symphony No. 39.