Klarinet Archive - Posting 000372.txt from 2000/03

From: Daniel Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Mozart's piano quintet, K. 452
Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 13:01:49 -0500

I just found a remarkable story about the piano quintet that I had never
before seen. I know this work to be a favorite of many of the players
on this list, so I want to share the story with you. I cannot vouch for
the truth of the anecdote but it is reported as having come from his
wife Konstanze (which by no means makes it true).

The source of the anecdote is from an issue of the Allgemeine
musikalische Zeiutung, published in Leipzig in 1799.

==================
Some anecdotes from Mozart's life, reported to us by his widow.

A Polish count was present for a Sunday musical gathering at which
Mozart performed and, like the entire audience, he was completely
enchanted by a new quintet for piano and winds. He told Mozart as much,
and expressed his wish that Mozart would some time compose for him a
trio for flute. He promised to do so when he had the chance. As soon
as the Count returned home, he sent Mozart 100 gold half-sovereigns (150
imperial ducats) and a very complimentary note, thanking him for the
great pleasure. Mozart was grateful and in return sent him the original
score of the quintet, which he otherwise never did, and recounted to his
friends with enthusiasm this pleasant experience. The Count was
[subsequently] away, but a year later came to Mozart again, asking for
his trio. Mozart answered that he had not yet felt himself inclined to
compose something worthy of the Count. The Count replied: And perhaps
you will not feel inclined to return my 100 gold half-sovereigns, which
I paid to you in advance for the trio. It will be remembered that, in
the above-cited letter, the money was given as nothing more than a token
of his admiration and thanks for his great pleasure. Mozart - angry but
noble - paid him the money. The Count kept the original score [of the
quintet] and some time later it was published by Artaria as a quartet
for piano, violin, viola, and violincello, without Mozart's
authorization.

===================

End of the story (as found in "New Mozart Documents, A Supplement to
O.E. Deutsch's Documentary Biography," edited by Cliff Eisen, Stanford
University Press, Stanford, CA, 1991, p. 77.
--
***************************
** Dan Leeson **
** leeson0@-----.net **
***************************

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