Books: The Letters of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, V.1.

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83.

Mannheim, Dec. 10, 1777.

ALL is at an end, for the present, with the Elector. I went to
the court concert the day before yesterday, in the hope of
getting an answer. Count Savioli evidently wished to avoid me;
but I went up to him. When he saw me he shrugged his shoulders.
"What!" said I, "still no answer?" "Pardon me!" said he, "but I
grieve to say nothing can be done." "Eh, bien!" said I, "the
Elector might have told me so sooner!" "True," said he, "but he
would not even now have made up his mind, if I had not driven him
to it by saying that you had already stayed here too long,
spending your money in a hotel." "Truly, that is what vexes me
most of all," I replied; "it is very far from pleasant. But, at
all events, I am very much indebted to you, Count, (for he is not
called "your Excellency,") for having taken my part so zealously,
and I beg you will thank the Elector from me for his gracious,
though somewhat tardy information; and I can assure him that, had
he accepted my services, he never would have had cause to regret
it." "Oh!" said he, "I feel more convinced of that than perhaps
you think." When I told Herr Wendling of the final decision, he
colored and said, quite indignantly, "Then we must find the
means; you must, at least, remain here for the next two months,
and after that we can go together to Paris. To-morrow Cannabich
returns from shooting, and then we can talk further on the
subject." I left the concert immediately, and went straight to
Madame Cannabich. On my way thither, Herr Schatzmeister having
come away from the concert with me, I told him all about it, as
he is a good worthy man and a kind friend of mine. You cannot
conceive how angry he was. When we went into Madame Cannabich's
house, he spoke first, saying, "I bring you a man who shares the
usual happy fate of those who have to do with courts." "What!"
said Madame, "so it has all come to nothing?" I told her the
whole, and in return they related to me numbers of similar things
which had occurred here. When Madlle. Rose (who was in the third
room from us, busy with the linen) had finished, she came in and
said to me, "Do you wish me to begin now?" as it was the hour for
her lesson. "I am at your orders," said I. "Do you know," said
she, "that I mean to be very attentive to-day?" "I am sure you
will," answered I, "for the lessons will not continue much
longer." "How so? What do you mean?--Why?" She turned to her
mamma, who told her. "What!" said she, "is this quite certain? I
cannot believe it." "Yes--yes; quite certain," said I. She then
played my sonata, but looked very grave. Do you know, I really
could not suppress my tears; and at last they had all tears in
their eyes--mother, daughter, and Schatzmeister, for she was
playing the sonata at the moment, which is the favorite of the
whole family. "Indeed," said Schatzmeister, "if the Herr
Capellmeister (I am never called anything else here) leaves us,
it will make us all weep." I must say that I have very kind
friends here, for it is under such circumstances that we learn to
know them; for they are so, not only in words but in deeds.
Listen to this! The other day I went, as usual, to dine with
Wendling, when he said to me, "Our Indian friend (a Dutchman, who
lives on his own means, and is an amateur of all the fine arts,
and a great friend and admirer of mine) is certainly an excellent
fellow. He will give you twenty florins to write for him three
little easy short concertos, and a couple of quattros for a
leading flute. Cannabich can get you at least two pupils, who
will play well; and you could write duets for the piano and
violin, and publish them by subscription. Dinner and supper you
will always have with us, and lodgings you have at the Herr
Hofkammerrath's; so all this will cost you nothing. As for your
mother, we can easily find her a cheap lodging for these two
months, till you have had time to write about the matter to your
father, when she will leave this for Salzburg and we for Paris."
Mamma is quite satisfied; so all that is yet wanting is your
consent, of which I feel so sure that, if the time for our
journey were now come, I would set off for Paris without waiting
for your reply; for I could expect nothing else from a sensible
father, hitherto so anxious for the welfare of his children. Herr
Wendling, who sends you his compliments, is very intimate with
our dear friend Grimm, who, when he was here, spoke a great deal
about me to Wendling; this was when he had just come from us at
Salzburg. As soon as I receive your answer to this letter, I mean
to write to him, for a stranger whom I met at dinner to-day told
me that Grimm was now in Paris. As we don't leave this till the
8th of March, I beg you, if possible, to try to procure for me,
either through Herr Mesmer at Vienna, or some one else, a letter
to the Queen of France, if it can be done without much
difficulty; if not, it does not much matter. It would be better
if I could have one--of that there is no doubt; this is also the
advice of Herr Wendling. I suppose what I am now writing must
appear very strange to you, because you are in a city where there
are only stupid enemies, and weak and simple friends, whose
dreary daily bread at Salzburg is so essential to them, that they
become flatterers, and are not to be depended on from day to day.
Indeed, this was why I wrote you nothing but childish nonsense,
and jokes, and folly; I wished to await the event here, to save
you from vexation, and my good friends from blame; for you very
unwarrantably accuse them of working against me in an underhand
way, which they certainly never did. Your letters obliged me to
relate the whole affair to you. I entreat you most earnestly not
to distress yourself on the subject; God has willed it so.
Reflect also on this most undoubted truth, that we cannot do all
we wish. We often think that such and such a thing would be very
good, and another equally bad and evil, and yet if these things
came to pass, we should sometimes learn that the very reverse was
the case.

I must now go to bed. I shall have plenty of work to do during
the two months of my stay,--three concertos, two quartets, five
or six duets for the piano, and I also have thoughts of composing
a new grand mass, and dedicating it to the Elector. Adieu! I will
write to Prince Zeill next post-day to press forward matters in
Munich; if you would also write to him, I should be very glad.
But short and to the point--no cringing! for that I cannot bear.
It is quite certain that he can do it if he likes, for all Munich
told me so [see Nos. 56 and 60].

84.

Mannheim, Dec. 14, 1777.

I CAN only write a few words, as I did not get home till four
o'clock, when I had a lesson to give to the young lady of the
house. It is now nearly half-past five, so time to close my
letter. I will ask mamma to write a few days beforehand, so that
all our news may not be of the same date, for I can't easily do
this. The little time that I have for writing must be devoted to
composition, for I have a great deal of work before me. I entreat
you to answer me very soon as to my journey to Paris. I played
over my concertone on the piano to Herr Wendling, who said it was
just the thing for Paris; if I were to play that to Baron Bach,
he would be in ecstasies. Adieu!

85.

[A P.S. TO A LETTER FROM HIS MOTHER.]

Mannheim, Dec. 18, 1777.

IN the greatest haste and hurry! The organ that was tried to-day
in the Lutheran church is very good, not only in certain
registers, but in its whole compass. [Footnote: The mother
writes: "A Lutheran of degree called on us to-day, and invited
Wolfgang, with all due politeness, to try their new organ."]
Vogler played on it. He is only a juggler, so to speak; as soon
as he wishes to play in a majestic style, he becomes dull.
Happily this seems equally tedious to himself, so it does not
last long; but then, what follows? only an incomprehensible
scramble. I listened to him from a distance. He began a fugue, in
chords of six notes, and presto. I then went up to him, for I
would far rather see than hear him. There were a great many
people present, and among the musicians Holzbauer, Cannabich,
Toeschi, &c.

A quartet for the Indian Dutchman, that true benefactor of man,
will soon be finished. A propos, Herr told me that he had written
to you by the last post. Addio! I was lately obliged to direct
the opera with some violins at Wendling's, Schweitzer being
unwell.

86.

Mannheim, Dec. 20, 1777.

I WISH you, dearest papa, a very happy new-year, and that your
health, so precious in my eyes, may daily improve, for the
benefit and happiness of your wife and children, the satisfaction
of your true friends, and for the annoyance and vexation of your
enemies. I hope also that in the coming year you will love me
with the same fatherly tenderness you have hitherto shown me. I
on my part will strive, and honestly strive, to deserve still
more the love of such an admirable father. I was cordially
delighted with your last letter of the 15th of December, for,
thank God! I could gather from it that you are very well indeed.
We, too, are in perfect health, God be praised! Mine is not
likely to fail if constant work can preserve it. I am writing
this at eleven at night, because I have no other leisure time. We
cannot very well rise before eight o'clock, for in our rooms (on
the ground-floor) it is not light till half-past eight. I then
dress quickly; at ten o'clock I sit down to compose till twelve
or half-past twelve, when I go to Wendling's, where I generally
write till half-past one; we then dine. At three o'clock I go to
the Mainzer Hof (an hotel) to a Dutch officer, to give him
lessons in galanterie playing and thorough bass, for which, if I
mistake not, he gives me four ducats for twelve lessons. At four
o'clock I go home to teach the daughter of the house. We never
begin till half past four, as we wait for lights. At six o'clock
I go to Cannabich's to instruct Madlle. Rose. I stay to supper
there, when we converse and sometimes play; I then invariably
take a book out of my pocket and read, as I used to do at
Salzburg. I have already written to you the pleasure your last
letter caused me, which is quite true; only one thing rather
vexed me, the inquiry whether I had not perchance forgotten to go
to confession. I shall not say anything further on this. Only
allow me to make you one request, which is, not to think so badly
of me. I like to be merry, but rest assured that I can be as
serious as any one. Since I quitted Salzburg (and even in
Salzburg) I have met with people who spoke and acted in a way
that I should have felt ashamed to do, though they were ten,
twenty, and thirty years older than myself. I implore of you
therefore once more, and most earnestly, to have a better opinion
of me.

87.

Mannheim, Dec. 27, 1777.

A PRETTY sort of paper this! I only wish I could make it better;
but it is now too late to send for any other. You know, from our
previous letters, that mamma and I have a capital lodging. It
never was my intention that she should live apart from me; in
fact, when the Hofkammerrath Serrarius so kindly offered me his
house, I only expressed my thanks, which is by no means saying
yes. The next day I went to see him with Herr Wendling and M. de
Jean (our worthy Dutchman), and only waited till he should
himself begin the subject. At length he renewed his offer, and I
thanked him in these words: "I feel that it is a true proof of
friendship on your part to do me the honor to invite me to live
in your house; but I regret that unfortunately I cannot accept
your most kind proposal. I am sure you will not take it amiss
when I say that I am unwilling to allow my mother to leave me
without sufficient cause; and I certainly know no reason why
mamma should live in one part of the town and I in another. When
I go to Paris, her not going with me would be a considerable
pecuniary advantage to me, but here for a couple of months a few
gulden more or less do not signify."

By this speech my wish was entirely fulfilled,--that is, that our
board and lodging do not at all events make us poorer. I must go
up-stairs to supper, for we have now chatted till half-past ten
o'clock. I lately went with my scholar, the Dutch officer, M. de
la Pottrie, into the Reformed church, where I played for an hour
and a half on the organ. It came right from my heart too. We--
that is, the Cannabichs, Wendlings, Serrariuses, and Mozarts--are
going to the Lutheran Church, where I shall amuse myself
gloriously on the organ. I tried its tone at the same rehearsal
that I wrote to you about, but played very little, only a prelude
and a fugue.

I have made acquaintance with Herr Wieland. He does not, however,
know me as I know him, for he has heard nothing of me as yet. I
had not at all imagined him to be what I find him. He speaks in
rather a constrained way, and has a childish voice, his eyes very
watery, and a certain pedantic uncouthness, and yet at times
provokingly condescending. I am not, however, surprised that he
should choose to behave in this way at Mannheim, though no doubt
very differently at Weimar and elsewhere, for here he is stared
at as if he had fallen from the skies. People seem to be so
ceremonious in his presence, no one speaks, all are as still as
possible, striving to catch every word he utters. It is unlucky
that they are kept so long in expectation, for he has some
impediment in his speech which causes him to speak very slowly,
and he cannot say six words without pausing. Otherwise he is, as
we all know, a man of excellent parts. His face is downright ugly
and seamed with the small-pox, and he has a long nose. His height
is rather beyond that of papa.

You need have no misgivings as to the Dutchman's 200 florins. I
must now conclude, as I should like to compose for a little time.
One thing more: I suppose I had better not write to Prince Zeill
at present. The reason you no doubt already know, (Munich being
nearer to Salzburg than to Mannheim,) that the Elector is at the
point of death from small-pox. This is certain, so there will be
a struggle there. Farewell! As for mamma's journey home, I think
it could be managed best during Lent, by her joining some
merchants. This is only my own idea; but what I do feel quite
sure of is, that whatever you think right will be best, for you
are not only the Herr Hofcapellmeister, but the most rational of
all rational beings. If you know such a person as papa, tell him
I kiss his hands 1000 times, and embrace my sister from my heart,
and in spite of all this scribbling I am your dutiful son and
affectionate brother.

88.

Mannheim, Jan. 7, 1778.

I HOPE you are both well. I am, thank God! in good health and
spirits. You may easily conceive my sorrow at the death of the
Elector of Bavaria. My sole wish is that our Elector here may
have the whole of Bavaria, and transfer himself to Munich. I
think you also would like this. This forenoon at twelve o'clock,
Carl Theodor was proclaimed at court Duke of Bavaria. At Munich,
Count Daun, Oberststallmeister, immediately on the death of the
Prince, received homage in the name of the Elector, and sent the
dragoons to ride all round the environs of the city with trumpets
and kettledrums, and to shout "Long live our Elector, Carl
Theodor!" If all goes well, as I hope it may, Count Daun will
receive a very handsome present. His aid-de-camp, whom he
dispatched here with the tidings, (his name is Lilienau,) got
3000 florins from the Elector.

89.

Mannheim, Jan 10, 1778

YES, indeed! I also wish that from my heart. [Footnote: In the
mother's letter, she had written, "May God grant us the blessing
of peace'" for there was much talk about the invasion of Bavaria
by the Prussians and Austrians, on account of the succession.]
You have already learned my true desire from my last letter. It
is really high time that we should think of mamma's journey home,
for though we have had various rehearsals of the opera, still its
being performed is by no means certain, and if it is not given,
we shall probably leave this on the 15th of February. When that
time arrives, (after receiving your advice on the subject,) I
mean to follow the opinions and habits of my fellow-travellers,
and, like them, order a suit of black clothes, reserving the
laced suit for Germany, as it is no longer the fashion in Paris.
In the first place, it is an economy, (which is my chief object
in my Paris journey,) and, secondly, it wears well and suits both
country and town. You can go anywhere with a black coat. To-day
the tailor brought Herr Wendling his suit. The clothes I think of
taking with me are my puce-brown spagnolet coat, and the two
waistcoats.

Now for something else. Herr Wieland, after meeting me twice,
seems quite enchanted with me. The last time, after every sort of
eulogium, he said, "It is really fortunate for me having met you
here," and pressed my hand. To-day "Rosamunde" has been rehearsed
in the theatre; it is well enough, but nothing more, for if it
were positively bad it could not be performed, I suppose,--just
as some people cannot sleep without lying in a bed! But there is
no rule without an exception, and I have seen an instance of
this; so good night! Now for something more to the purpose. I
know for certain that the Emperor intends to establish a German
opera in Vienna, and is eagerly looking out for a young
Capellmeister who understands the German language, and has
genius, and is capable of bringing something new into the world.
Benda at Gotha has applied, but Schweitzer is determined to
succeed. I think it would be just the thing for me, but well paid
of course. If the Emperor gives me 1000 gulden, I will write a
German opera for him, and if he does not choose to give me a
permanent engagement, it is all the same to me. Pray write to
every kind friend you can think of in Vienna, that I am capable
of doing credit to the Emperor. If he will do nothing else, he
may at least try me with an opera, and as to what may occur
hereafter I care not. Adieu! I hope you will put the thing in
train at once, or some one may forestall me.

90.

Mannheim, Jan. 17, 1778.

NEXT Wednesday I am going for some days to Kirchheim-Boland, the
residence of the Princess of Orange. I have heard so much praise
of her here, that at last I have resolved to go. A Dutch officer,
a particular friend of mine, [M. de la Pottrie,] was much
upbraided by her for not bringing me with him when he went to
offer his new-year's congratulations. I expect to receive at
least eight louis-d'or, for as she has a passionate admiration of
singing, I have had four arias copied out for her. I will also
present her with a symphony, for she has a very nice orchestra
and gives a concert every day. Besides, the copying of the airs
will not cost me much, for a M. Weber who is going there with me
has copied them. He has a daughter who sings admirably, and has a
lovely pure voice; she is only fifteen. [Footnote: Aloysia,
second daughter of the prompter and theatrical copyist, Weber, a
brother of Carl Maria von Weber's father.] She fails in nothing
but in stage action; were it not for that, she might be the prima
donna of any theatre. Her father is a downright honest German who
brings up his children well, for which very reason the girl is
persecuted here. He has six children,--five girls and a son. He
and his wife and children have been obliged to live for the last
fourteen years on an income of 200 florins, but as he has always
done his duty well, and has lately provided a very accomplished
singer for the Elector, he has now actually 400 florins. My aria
for De' Amicis she sings to perfection with all its tremendous
passages: she is to sing it at Kirchheim-Boland.

Now for another subject. Last Wednesday there was a great feast
in our house, [at Hofkammerrath Serrarius's,] to which I was also
invited. There were fifteen guests, and the young lady of the
house [Pierron, the "House Nymph"] was to play in the evening the
concerto I had taught her at eleven o'clock in the forenoon. The
Herr Kammerrath and Herr Vogler called on me. Herr Vogler seems
quite determined to become acquainted with me, as he often
importuned me to go to see him, but he has overcome his pride and
paid me the first visit. Besides, people tell me that he is now
very different, being no longer so much admired; for at first he
was made quite an idol of here. We went up-stairs together, when
by degrees the guests assembled, and there was no end to talking.
After dinner, Vogler sent for two pianos of his, which were tuned
alike, and also his wearisome engraved sonatas. I had to play
them, while he accompanied me on the other piano. At his urgent
request I sent for my sonatas also. N. B.--Before dinner he had
scrambled through my sonata at sight, (the Litzau one which the
young lady of the house plays.) He took the first part
prestissimo--the Andante allegro--and the Rondo more prestissimo
still. He played great part of the bass very differently from the
way in which it is written, inventing at times quite another
harmony and melody. It is impossible to do otherwise in playing
at such a pace, for the eyes cannot see the notes, nor the hands
get hold of them. What merit is there in this? The listeners (I
mean those worthy of the name) can only say that they have SEEN
music and piano-playing. All this makes them hear, and think, and
feel as little--as he does. You may easily believe that this was
beyond all endurance, because I could not venture to say to him
MUCH TOO QUICK! besides, it is far easier to play a thing quickly
than slowly; some notes may then be dropped without being
observed. But is this genuine music? In rapid playing the right
and left hands may be changed, and no one either see or hear it;
but is this good? and in what does the art of reading prima vista
consist? In this--to play the piece in the time in which it ought
to be played, and to express all the notes and apoggiaturas, &c.,
with proper taste and feeling as written, so that it should give
the impression of being composed by the person who plays it. His
fingering also is miserable; his left thumb is just like that of
the late Adlgasser, all the runs downwards with the right hand he
makes with the first finger and thumb!

91.

Mannheim, Feb. 2 1778.

I COULD no delay writing to you till the usual Saturday arrived,
because it was so long since I had the pleasure of conversing
with you by means of my pen. The first thing I mean to write
about is how my worthy friends and I got on at Kirchheim-Boland.
It was simply a holiday excursion, and nothing more. On Friday
morning at eight o'clock we drove away from here, after I had
breakfasted with Herr Weber. We had a capital covered coach which
held four; at four o'clock we arrived at Kirchheim-Boland. We
immediately sent a list of our names to the palace. Next morning
early, Herr Concertmeister Rothfischer called on us. He had been
already described to me at Mannheim as a most honorable man, and
such I find him to be. In the evening we went to court, (this was
on Saturday,) where Madlle. Weber sang three airs. I say nothing
of her singing, but it is indeed admirable. I wrote to you lately
with regard to her merits; but I cannot finish this letter
without writing further about her, as I have only recently known
her well, so now first discover her great powers. We dined
afterwards at the officers' table. Next day we went some distance
to church, for the Catholic one is rather far away. This was on
Sunday. In the forenoon we dined again with the officers. In the
evening there was no music, because it was Sunday. Thus they have
music only 300 times during the year. In the evening we might
have supped at court, but we preferred being all together at the
inn. We would gladly have made them a present also of the dinners
at the officers' table, for we were never so pleased as when by
ourselves; but economy rather entered our thoughts, since we were
obliged to pay heavily enough at the inn.

The following day, Monday, we had music again, and also on
Tuesday and Wednesday. Madlle. Weber sang in all thirteen times,
and played twice on the piano, for she plays by no means badly.
What surprises me most is, that she reads music so well. Only
think of her playing my difficult sonatas at sight, SLOWLY, but
without missing a single note. I give you my honor I would rather
hear my sonatas played by her than by Vogler. I played twelve
times, and once, by desire, on the organ of the Lutheran church.
I presented the Princess with four symphonies, and received only
seven louis-d'or in silver, and our poor dear Madlle. Weber only
five. This I certainly did not anticipate! I never expected great
things, but at all events I hoped that each of us would at least
receive eight louis-d'or. Basta! We were not, however, losers,
for I have a profit of forty-two florins, and the inexpressible
pleasure of becoming better acquainted with worthy upright
Christian people, and good Catholics, I regret much not having
known them long ago.

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