Introduction to Mozart’s Friendships
If the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart were a children’s production today, he would probably have millions of followers and "friends" fans on social media. But even in the 18th century, Mozart’s father Leopold warned his son of false friends – people who envy him, but also Schmeichler who only told him what he wanted to hear.
The Mozartfest Würzburg
This year, the Mozartfest Würzburg, which started this week and runs until June 22, is about Mozart’s friendships. The festival in Würzburg is the oldest and largest Mozart festival in Germany, which takes place every year in the Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The motto of the festival this year, "but through sound: friend Mozart" refers to one of his quotes and how music was its main form of expression – and the connection.
The Importance of Real Friendships
"A real friendship requires trust and mutual understanding," says the artistic director Evelyn. Even millions of followers cannot replace such a relationship on social media platforms. Mozart caused a feeling as a so-called women’s child in the middle of the 18th century. He traveled through Europe with his father for years and fascinated Hof-Adlige with his talent over the violin and piano. But there was no time for close friendships with his colleagues.
Mozart’s Childhood and Friendships
The family concentrated very much on itself; the bond was particularly strong in the early 1760s. Even later, you cannot imagine that Mozart hangs around with friends with cozy restaurants. These were more likely relationships that were built in a musical context: colleagues, musicians, teachers, patrons or orchestral musicians from the bands.
Artistic Friendships in the Mozartfest
Artistic friendships also play a special role in the performers of the Mozart Festival this year. Friends Nils Mönkemeyer and William Youn were accompanied at the opening event, accompanied by the Ensemble Resonance under conductor Riccardo Minasi. Mönkemeyer and Youn met through music. They love Mozart’s works, but they also wanted something more modern for their performance. They therefore commissioned Manfred Trojahn to write a new piece: "Trame Lunari", a double concert for viola, piano, and chamber orchestra.
Joseph Haydn, the Fatherly Friend
Mozart is still considered a model for many musicians today. He himself had role models like the composer Joseph Haydn and Bach’s son Johann Christian Bach, whom he admired for his elegant, light music. Joseph Haydn was 24 years older than Mozart. They developed a friendly father-son relationship, and Mozart wrote in letters that Haydn was his "dearest friend".
Other Close Friends
Horn player Joseph Leutgeb was also one of Mozart’s close friends. Mozart wrote humorous mockery in his results such as "For her, Mr. Donkey". Mozart was also friends with Anton Stadler, one of the best clarinetists of his time. He composed a clarinet quintet and a clarinet concert for him. Later, when Mozart became more and more sick and lonely, he wrote that music was essentially his only friend.
The ‘Wrong Friends’?
And what about Mozart’s false friends, which was worried about? One of them appears in Milo’s Formans 1984 film "Amadeus": Antonio Salieri is portrayed in the film as a mediocre composer and as Mozart’s opponent, who scolds behind Mozart’s back and even poisoned him. Although this story has long been refuted, it remains a popular belief.
The "Black Mozart"
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, is also shown as Mozart’s rival in literature and in the film "Chevalier" (2022) directed by Stephen Williams. He was born in Guadeloupe in 1745 as the son of a white French noble and a black slave and came to France as a child. He made a name for himself as a violinist and composer early on. Joseph Haydn later composed for Bologne’s own orchestra.
Friendships Yesterday and Today
The festival’s "Mozart Laboratory" houses discussions on friendship with a focus on artistic associations and social networks. Because of course we are in the middle of a revolutionary social transformation that is strongly determined by new digital developments such as the Internet, social media, and AI. In order to counteract this, concerts will also take place in private houses in which like-minded people come together and maybe rediscover music as the "medium of friendship". Who knows that the event could lead to new friendships.
