Talk with Mozart(PART 2 OF 3)
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. By the way, how come Aloisia refused to marry you?
I've been through most difficult times and now come to know that she was an extremely realistic woman.
So, Wolfie, at the time you thought she was rather a romantic daydreamer, didn't you?
Yes, I did. I was a young man with a frivolous and pleasure-seeking Bohemian. But she turned out a realist. At the time, I was seeking a better position such as a music director, you know. She didn't like my being fooling around without any fixed income.
But later you became quite successful, didn't you?
Yes, you're telling me, Diane. However, her mother wanted Aloisia to marry Joseph Lange, who was later to paint me in the best portrait.
How come Madame Weber prefer Joseph Lange?
'Cause he promised her a substantial annuity in the marriage settlement. Ironically, the payment subsequently reduced Lange to penury.
So, at the time you were a poor young man, weren't you? And Madame Weber and Aloisia chose the wealthy actor-artist.
That's right. Later, my financial situation, a source of extreme anxiety in 1790, finally began to improve. My wealthy patrons in Hungary and Amsterdam gave me annuities in return for the occasional composition. I also benefited from the sale of dance music written in my role as Imperial chamber composer.
Aloisia didn't change her mind, did she?
Even if she had changed her mind, she would've had no choice 'cause she was already married to Joseph Lange.
Then your interest shifted to the third Weber daughter, Constanze, didn't it?
No, not really. I was still attached to Aliosia emotionally and spiritually.
Why is that?
You see, Diane, I was so much inspired by her lovely image and character. She was my ispiration so that I could write the following seven pieces for her.
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Did you write the above pieces even after Aloisia got married to Lange?
Yes, I did.
So, courtship did not go entirely smoothly with Constanze, did it?
No, it didn't ...'cause Constanze got mad and jealous since I did write several pieces for Aloisia---her older sister.
I see... Now I know why you and Constanze briefly separated in April 1782.
Besides, I had another problem and faced a very difficult task in getting my father's permission for the marriage to Constanze.
Why is that?
I was staying with the Weber family. As you see, Madame Weber was a dominant figure, and my father thought I was forced to marry Constanze.
Did Madame Weber really force you to marry Constanze?
Oh no, she didn't. Anyway, Constanze and I were finally married on 4 August 1782 in St. Stephen's Cathedral, the day before my father's consent arrived in the mail.
By the way, Wolfie, you were quite successful in your later years. But you were deep in debt and died poor. Why is that?
Good question, Diane. I know many people are puzzled by my financial trouble immediately before my death. Well ... Constanze often visited Baden for treatment of her infected leg or child birth and frequently spent quite a bit of money on gamble.
But, Wolfie, I heard that you were the one who enjoyed extravagant lifestyle---expensive furniture, a riding horse, a coach, elegant clothing, as well as your costly passion for billiards.
That's true to a certain extent when I was young. However, I was aware of my fiancial problem in later years. So I became rather frugal. On the contray, Constanze became careless for that matter. And I often asked her to sort out various financial problems.
According to your correspondance with your wife, however, Constanze remained silent.
This is because she later burned out her unfavorable letters.
Is that right?
Yes, Constanze destroyed all the evidences for my biographers so that people would think my extravagant lifestyle was the culprit. In any case, what is done is done, you know. It is no use crying over spilt milk. So, why don't we talk about the bright side of my life? Diane, I'm here to entertain you. Here's my music present for you.
What is it?
Listen to this.
Aaron Kurz:
Rondo alla Turca by Mozart
at Salle Cortot/ Paris
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Oh, how lively and cheerful ... I love it.
Do you? I'm glad you like it. I wrote it for you, Diane.
Nobody believes it, but anyway it's nice talking with you.
My pleasure! I hope we'll see each other soon.
【Himiko's Monologue】
Wow!
I like the above concertos and songs, 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)