Little Night Music(PART 2 OF 3)
Eine kleine Nachtmusik
(on period instruments)
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I'm glad you like this piece. To tell you the truth, this is one of my favorites.
Oh, is it? Nobody knows why you composed the above piece. Tell me, Wolfie, why on earth you created the "Little Night Music"?
Good question, Diane! I completed "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" on August 10, 1787.
If I remember correctly, your father died on May 28, 1787, didn't he?
That's right. I was so depressed at my most beloved father's death that I didn't know how I could overcome it. You see, my father had been my teacher and mentor. Without him, I wouldn't have become a gifted composer at all.
So, the "Little Night Music" has something to do with your father's death.
No, not really.
Wolfie, I don't mean to be rude, but I don't like a roundabout talk. Just tell me why you composed the "Little Night Music."
Well ... although I loved my father more than anybody else, he objected dating with my first love---17-year-old Aloisia Weber, who was a fine singer and daughter of the promoter at the Mannheim court theatre. I was twenty-two at the time.
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So you composed the "Little Night Music" for Aloisia Weber, didn't you?
Not at the time, but I had to think about her so that I could pull myself out of the abyss of the depression and misery when my father died.
I see ... So, Wolfie, you did your best to cheer yourself up while dreaming of Aloisia, eh?
That's right.
No wonder you did a superb job in completing the piece. I think the "Little Night Music" is the most successful serenade ever written, and certainly features in any "top ten" list of your works.
Do you really think so, Diane?
Yes, most definitely I do. Its virtues are utter simplicity, memorability and perfect balance. Its initial fanfares and melody indelibly remain in the mind, though really no different from those in so many other openings of your pieces. By the way, I've got one more question.
What is it?
In October of 1762, when you were six years old, you were invited to the palace at Schönbrunn in Austria, right?
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Yes, I was.
At the palace, you met Marie Antoinette, who was a year older than you. Marie and you were getting along quite well, and you were playing with the princess, and slipped on a polished floor. Bursting into tears, you were picked up and comforted by the seven-year-old Marie Antoinette. Then you kissed the future queen of France, and said "You're nice. I'll marry you when I grow up."
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Mozart & Marie Antoinette
Oh, rubbish! I didn't say that. One of the story-tellers made up such a dumb tale, I suppose.
But I saw the amovie: "Amadeus."
"Amadeus" Trailer
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I enjoyed this hilarious movie to the hilt.
Diane, this movie is based on a short 1830 play by Alexander Pushkin called "Mozart and Salieri," in which Salieri poisoned me to death, which wasn't true at all.
But the movie is so funny.
Diane, you like funny movies, huh?
Amadeus - Funny Parts
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This is far from the true story. I look so stupid and unsensible, don't I?
But I like the movie.
Diane, I'll tell you what.
What is it?
Don't see the above movie again. Instead, watch the following piano concert so that you could improve your playing skill.
Piano Concerto
No. 21 - Andante
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Wow! I love it. For the same token, I love the above movie as well.
Diane, you shouldn't see senseless, rubbish movies. You'd better practice the piano so that you would be able to play the above concerto for me someday.
Well ... I don't know, but maybe I'll try.
【Himiko's Monologue】
Wow!
I like the above piano concerto, but I'd rather enjoy one of Mozart's operas.
Which one? --- you may ask.
Well, I like the "Marriage of Figaro."
The Marriage of Figaro
(Le nozze di Figaro)【Part I】
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In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(To be followed)