Letter to Mozart

Dear Herr Mozart:

I am writing this letter to tell you Happy Birthday on January 27, and to tell you thanks for writing such stunning and beautiful music. Unlike many composers who came before and after you and whose music is relegated mostly to academic study with an occasional professional performance, your music has withstood the test of time for many generations. I am not entirely sure what makes your music stand out compared to other composers. Perhaps it is the result of balance and drama coming together for music that is always emotionally satisfying. At times the phrases sound conversational, as if two people are discussing something fun or profound, while at other times the phrases sound very goal-directed, energizing as they move toward a bold musical moment. I believe the natural balance of your music is due to the mathematical ordering of pitches and sometimes rhythm. You might disagree with me on this but your music could be seen as a nearly perfect aural rendition of the Fibonacci numerical series. I am not saying it makes your music objective and mathematically sterile at all, but it does give it a natural sense of balance and flow. In fact, I must point out that the emotional and expressive qualities are what sets much of your music apart from other composers.

To be more specific, your music is sensitive, powerful, clever, witty, emotional, dramatic, and at times transformational. In addition to melodies that somehow are both singable and unpredictable, harmonies that are clever, smooth, and creative, counterpoint that is both congruent and independent, and sounds that pour out of your pen almost effortlessly, I believe it is your judicious yet directed use of non-harmonic tones that sets apart your music. I marvel at the accented non-harmonic tones and the constant motion of tension and repose that your music presents at almost every turn. As a scale moves quickly up, it is suddenly concluded with a note out of the harmony that moves seamlessly back into the supporting chord. It is simply amazing the way the tones move in and out of the harmony while adding so much power to the music.

My personal favorites, you may ask? All the horn music from the chamber pieces to the concertos I will play until I cannot play the horn anymore. The late symphonies are amazing and the piano concertos continue to be enticing. But instrumental music aside, it is those last few operas where I find the greatest joy and unparalleled expression. I really wish you had lived longer but in spite of a relatively short life, your production rate was astounding and, in a way, you have lived many lives through the application of your music throughout time. I will never get tired of listening to The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, Cosi fan Tutte, or the Marriage of Figaro.

All this to say, Happy Birthday Herr Mozart and thanks for the beautiful music that continues to fascinate and move me. You would have been 258 years old today, January 27 and, in a way, your music keeps you alive and well.

Sincerely,

Robert Tucker, PhD, MBA