Klarinet Archive - Posting 000587.txt from 2003/05

From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Basset Clarinet
Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 23:29:58 -0400

Every clarinet play ought to have the story of the loss of K. 622 burned
into his brain. The only documentation is contained in a letter from
Constanze Mozart. The entire story is given in two sentences.

Stadler supposedly kept the manuscripts of both works in some kind of a
suitcase or briefcase, and, when he ran short of money -- which was,
apparently, very often -- he supposedly pawned the briefcase with the
two manuscripts still inside, and that was the last anyone ever saw or
heard of them. At least that's the best that history can tell us, though
the truth is probably considerably different. The story has more holes
in it than a Swiss cheese even though it comes from what is presumed to
be an impeccable source, specifically Mozart's widow. Frankly the story
is so brainless I am surprised that people accept half a syllable of it.
But it is all we have.

James Hobby wrote:
> Obviously, he was smart to do this. (I wonder how much of "Amadeus" might be
> true, or is all 100% conjecture?) Damn shame that he (or someone? His
> wife?) lost the mms to k622. Just think of all the conversations we might
> not have if it had stayed with his other music. <g> Of course, if he had
> Finale, he could have just dashed off a few extra copies that were exactly
> the same. <g> And I know all of this is foolish conjecture. Strange things
> wander through the mind on Friday nights.
>
> Jim
>
>
>>From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
>>
>>It is interesting that you mention this. Mozart most frequently hired a
>>copyist who worked in his home, and for two reasons. One, he wanted to
>>supervise his work, and two, he wanted to avoid the man making a second
>>copy that he might sell to an unscrupulous music publisher and which
>>nullified Mozart's efforts to make money on the piece.
>
>
>
>
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>

--
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**Dan Leeson **
**leeson0@-----.net **
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