Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart shocked 18th century Europe with his early and prodigious musical genius; he is recognized as one of the greatest composers of all time, and recently, he has shocked the classical world yet again when a new piece of his was discovered in Germany.
In his 35 years (from 1756-1791), he became one of the most influential and prolific composers of his time and of the classical era. Extremely talented, he wrote many pieces in his adolescence, ones like “Bastien und Bastienne.”
“Ganz Kleine Nachtmusik,” also known as “Serenade in C,” was discovered in September of this year. Hidden away in the Leipzig Municipal Libraries in Germany, it was discovered while researchers were compiling the Köchel catalog, which contains all of Mozart’s works. It was found when researchers stumbled upon a handwritten composition, which upon further inspection, was found to be Mozart’s work. It was estimated that he wrote it during the 1760s, or in his early teenage years. The manuscript right now that we possess is not the original copy, but a copy of it, as the handwriting on it is not Mozart’s.
It debuted on Sept. 19 in Salzburg, Austria, Mozart’s birthplace. It was performed by a small trio of two violins and a cello in front of hundreds.
On Sept. 21, it was played in the Leipzig Opera house by graduates of the Johann Sebastian Bach Music School.
After listening to it, I originally thought it wasn’t worth all the hype, and it still isn’t. Now, however, I have a slightly more favorable opinion of it. The piece is pleasant, featuring many noticeable differences in each movement. It features a string trio of two violins and a cello. Throughout the piece, it transitions between different tempos and styles, starting in Marche, then Adagio, Allegro and Menuet (Minuet) before ending in Allegro. The key stays in a consistent C major but because of the constant changing of tempo, it feels somehow new.
It does sound like what Mozart wrote stylistically as an early teen, and researchers say that past his early teens, he was no longer creating music that sounded like this.
It’s crazy how a piece of music was buried for hundreds of years, only to be found now, and stirred up the world of classical music.