Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Happy Birthday, Mozart!

Today is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Birthday, January 27, 1756-1791, just 35 years old when he died, not of poisoning but strep throat which led to kidney failure it is thought.

I am a Mozart fan, not an intellectual choice I know, but Mozart's music makes me happy, and such a prodigious output of compositions.  The operas are wonderful and so beautifully composed.  My favorite is "The Marriage of Figaro" with the Countess' aria at the beginning of Act II, "Dove Sono,"  a special favorite, "Oh love give me some remedy."The music is filled with sadness  and longing as she laments her husband's infidelity.






There are many You Tube selections for this particular aria.  And if you have time, "The Making of Amadeus" is worthwhile viewing.  "Amadeus" was filmed in Prague, Czechoslovakia during the communist occupation and the cast and crew had some trying and interesting challenges in the making of the movie, but funny stories as well.




Happy Birthday Mozart!

8 comments:

  1. That's just sublime isn't it? There is a fabulous duet from the beginning of Act Three (I think) Sull' Aria or similar which is just magical.
    Before this post I was listening to Joan Baez singing 'Farewell Angellina'!
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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  2. Hi Bazza: Did you get a chance to view the making of Amadeus? Murray Abraham has a funny story to tell about looking for listening devices in his room. Will cyber over to hear Mz Joan.

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  3. We visited Vienna years ago. Mozart's apartment was closed for several hours, so we did not get to see it. But I walked up the stairs around a courtyard. Snow was lightly falling. It was easy to imagine the music there.

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    1. A perfect Mozart scene. We spent so little time in Vienna, wish we could go back.

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  4. I can't believe it was such a long time ago that the film was made. Mozart's music makes you happy, you are so right. And what else should music do? Not be an intellectual challenge, I don't think. There are enough of those in our lives, so why not listen to something that makes you happy?

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    1. It's hard to have a picture of Mozart's personality. The movie made him seem so madcap, but when you listen to the music that he composed for women, he seems to understand them perfectly, when they are sad or happy or content, the music says it all.

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  5. Hi Natalie ... loved the Aria ... and yes Mozart is so wonderful to listen to. I did see Amadeus ... but I haven't watched this take on how they made the movie ... I'm sure it's interesting ... especially the snippets of behind the scenes and the Iron Curtain era ...

    Cheers - I may get to it ... I do hope all is well with you - life is improving here (the hip is) ... but the weather is giving us some winter shots - it's glorious when the sun comes out ... but freezing outside anyway!! Take care and thanks for the delightful card ... I've kept them up for now ... Hilary

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  6. Yes it is a wonderful aria, so filled with sadness and longing. And your weather news could be duplicated here, freezing outside but wonderful when the sun comes out. I am glad your hip is improving.

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