Klarinet Archive - Posting 001150.txt from 1998/04

From: "Scott Morrow" <sdm@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Smart people and Music (was Music and Science)
Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 11:08:58 -0400

Just to throw a monkey wrench into this debate, I think it's time for me
to make public my discovery. I have been keeping this a secret for years,
because this information could destroy our civilization as we know it!
When we first started renovating our house in Baltimore, we knocked down
many walls. Behind one wall, I found an old letter. I know it's not polite
to read other people's mail, but curiosity got the better of me. Imagine my
surprise when I realized it was a letter from Mozart to his father! I have
no idea how a letter from Mozart (who died in 1791) wound up behind a wall
in a house that was built in the early 1900's, but there it was! I present
it to you now, prefaced by the following warning: those of you who are not
strong enough to accept the truth are urged to read no further!

January 5, 1791
Vienna

Dear Pop,
How's everything at home?
Thing's are going okay here: the usual lessons, rehearsals, etc. Still
haven't finished the Requiem, yet, but Rome wasn't built in a day, right?
I've got plenty of time tomorrow!
The reason I'm writing is to inform you of my latest brainstorm! As you
know, I'm always trying to figure out ways to liven up these stodgy old
fuddy duddies, and I think I've finally come up with a plan to revolutionize
music! I've just started writing a new opera, "Der Grid-iron", about two
warring kingdoms who meet on the field of battle to determine the rightful
owner of a sack of gold. Rather boring, if you ask me, but, hey, that's
what Emporer Joe likes! Anyway, I thought, "How can I possibly make this
interesting?" Then it hit me: what if, during the intermissions, the
ENTIRE ORCHESTRA were to march up onto the stage and play excerpts from the
preceding act?!! They could move around in time to the music, and make
interesting patterns on the stage to amuse the patrons in the balconies! I
promise you, EVERYONE will start doing this in their operas if I can pull it
off!
I'm so excited about this! I feel that this will be my legacy to the
world of music!
Well, gotta go! Hugs to mom! Tell her I really am taking care of my cold!

Love,
Wolfie