Introduction
One of the world’s most influential composers, who contributed to the world’s music development, is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. During his short life, Mozart wrote many musical compositions, some of which are considered today the best pieces of musical art. This research paper will be based on two things closely connected with Mozart’s music.
First, the film Amadeus by Miloš Forman (1984) represents elements of Mozart’s biography and his interactions with another composer, Antonio Salieri. Second, there was a live concert by Orchestre National de France with the conductor James Gaffigan (France Musique concerts, 2018). These representations of Mozart’s personality and music are valuable in understanding his talent and phenomenon.
Remarkably, the research paper will be composed of both artificial examples of Mozart’s biography, the film, and live examples of his music, the concert. Describing the film and the concert and comparing them will allow one to understand different sides of the genius. Mozart’s music can suit the broad spectrum of human feelings and be interpreted differently by every person.
Biography
Before considering the peculiarities and importance of the film and the live concert, it is essential to explore the details of Mozart’s biography. Wolfgang was born in Salzburg on January 26, 1756 (Keefe, 2018). The talent of young Mozart appeared at an early age. When he was four years old, many people were already aware of his abilities in music. Notably, he played different instruments and had the potential to write operas when he was only six years old. These extraordinary talents made him one of the youngest musicians in this period.
One should state that the main happenings in Mozart’s career occurred in Vienna. There, Mozart made various operas for the emperor and played in many theaters, including the Burg Theater. However, severe illness reduced Mozart’s ability to write music; after a period, he died at age 34 (Keefe, 2018). Although he died so early, he wrote a considerable number of world-famous musical pieces that many people nowadays call the most excellent compositions of all time.
Amadeus
Background
Many films were made as a dedication to famous personalities and their works. Notably, some of them are acknowledged because of the authors’ tremendous work in their construction. One of these examples is the film by Miloš Forman, Amadeus.
The name of the film was made in accordance with the surname of the great composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Remarkably, the film achieved many awards, including various Academy Awards and the Oscar for Best Picture of the Year. Various decorations and installations that depict the traditions and culture of the period when Mozart lived are crucial in the film.
The leading roles were played by F. Murray Abraham, who played Antonio Salieri, and Tom Hulce, whose role was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. While watching the film, the pleasant feelings penetrate not only the eyes of the observer but also their ears. This is because the entire film is constructed following Mozart’s best musical compositions. Notably, even at the film’s beginning, the first thing that appears is not the picture on the screen but the first accord of Wolfgang’s Requiem.
The film Amadeus demonstrates the biography of Mozart and the feelings and struggles of another talented composer, Antonio Salieri (Forman, 1984). Notably, their lives and careers were closely intertwined. For example, as Loh-Hagan (2019) states, “they both applied to be Princess Elisabeth’s music teacher” (p. 21). However, after some consideration, the princess chose Salieri (Loh-Hagan, 2019). Notably, many cases from their biographies can suggest that these two composers were enemies.
Elements of Mozart’s Biography
While considering the elements of Mozart’s biography, it is difficult not to combine them with his talent and genius. Due to this fact, the film Amadeus consists of scenes that show particular biographical elements, and the director also emphasizes Mozart’s talent. For example, in the scene of the first meeting with the emperor and other courtiers and servants with Mozart, the last one demonstrates his magnificent skills of remembering the music only after one single listening (Forman, 1984, 00:35:50). One should highlight that this moment, in addition, illustrates the feelings of Antonio Salieri, who is depressed and stunned by Mozart’s talent. It is an excellent example of how Forman uses music to address protagonists’ feelings and talents and describe their personalities.
Use of Mozart’s Music for Feeling Description
During the entire film, the mood changes on the screen and in the music. The beginning and the center scenes of Amadeus by Forman start with light and upbeat compositions. They depict the acquaintance with the film’s protagonists in a time when they do not have struggle and loss.
One should note that musical pieces of Mozart’s Requiem are divided and implemented throughout the film. Forman uses burlesques, comic operas, and other funny and optimistic music in love scenes or during evening parties. However, at the film’s end, the music becomes more tragic, adding drama to the entire picture.
Consequently, Mozart’s death is accompanied by his most extraordinary composition, Lacrimosa (Forman,1984, 02:49:05). Remarkably, every note of this music has a particular correlation with the scenes in the film. At the end of Lacrimosa, the final accord goes in synergy with Mozart’s funeral music (Forman, 1984, 02:52:30). This technique used by Forman is a significant example of how music can dramatize action.
Use of Mozart’s Operas
The film Amadeus consists not only of separate musical compositions as a background for the scenes. The essential part of the cinematography correlates with many operas, which act as music masterpieces and scenes to translate protagonists’ behaviors and feelings. According to Keefe (2018), “Mozart was a prolific opera composer in all three genres of opera seria, opera buffa, and Singspiel” (p. 32).
Therefore, Forman used them masterfully while narrating Mozart’s talent and character. For example, in one of the scenes in the opera, according to Forman (1984), Salieri says, “and I was in love with this girl, or at least at last, but I swear to you I have never laid a finger on her…” (Forman, 1984, 00:41:30). These words were said by Salieri after watching opera in which Mozart collaborated with a woman who was an opera singer.
One should highlight that operas in the films were explicitly made to translate both Mozart’s and Salieri’s feelings. Operas are shown as significant scenes where the most critical issues and transformations of the heroes’ personalities happen. Among Amadeus‘s most popular Mozart operas are Le Nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni (Forman, 1984, 01:59:30).
Both masterpieces reflect particular elements of Mozart’s biography and his talent as a composer and musician. For example, in the scene related to Le Nozze di Figaro, Mozart strives to pursue his ideas and music peculiarities to others and, particularly, explain them to the emperor (Forman, 1984, 01:38:00). It allows the audience not only to understand the importance of Mozart’s ideas for himself but also to realize the difference between his music and the music of other composers.
As considerable music, dancing, and acting pieces, the operas act as stages for protagonists to reveal their talents and feelings. Some essential things in human life, such as love, parenthood, friendship, career, revenge, and others, are masterfully depicted through operas. In addition, communication with other film heroes occurs not only on the stage or in the auditorium but also in crucial backstage moments. In this case, the theater acts in the role of the house where the life of musicians and opera singers occurs actively.
However, as the most significant and pivotal moment in the implementation of the opera, one should consider Don Giovanni. This opera was placed in the film at the end when Mozart’s father died. Using music, the scene incorporates Mozart’s feelings by describing his attitude toward his father and their relationship (Swafford, 2020).
Nevertheless, this scene’s importance is reflected through Antonio Salieri’s feelings and his emerging plan of constructing revenge regarding Mozart’s talent and God. One can state that Salieri’s opera music changes while describing his feelings. Musical notes stress particular words by increasing or decreasing in volume.
Consequently, the accelerando appears in the end, and the culmination of Salieri’s plan has been revealed. Because of the opera’s music, the scene has particular excitement and drama, especially when Salieri stops talking. Still, the music fulfills this silence (Forman, 1984, 02:00:10). It is an excellent example of how Mozart’s music, particularly his opera Don Giovanni, represents human feelings and highlights them dramatically and precisely.
Performance of Orchestre National de France
It will be exciting to consider James Gaffigan’s concert of Amadeus’s Requiem to compare Mozart’s music between different interpretations and how it sounds nowadays. The Orchestre National de France produced this musical masterpiece. Many critics state that this requiem is the most influential and significant music of all time (Keefe, 2018). However, at the exact moment, it requires the tremendous talent of all musicians and singers who take part in it.
While observing different details of this concert, one can note how singers and musicians act with Mozart’s music (France Musique Concerts, 2018). Different tones, changes in rhythm, and other musical aspects fulfill the scenes of the concert and bring listeners and observers extraordinary feelings. Particular attention should be paid to how James Gaffigan collaborates with the orchestra.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to highlight Mozart’s contribution to humanity. His music depicts people’s most hindered and exquisite feelings by translating them through notes and chords. This essay describes two inspirational works that showcase Amadeus’s musical talent.
One should state that the film Amadeus showed Mozart from different perspectives, but most importantly, from Antonio Salieri’s perspective. It gave the audience a new approach to evaluating Mozart’s talent. While comparing the scenes connected with music in the film between an ongoing concert, the person can underline how the perception of music changes.
On the one hand, the music in the film is accompanied by the picture, and a specific atmosphere is created. On the other hand, the compositions played during the concert depict only the notes themselves. Although Wolfgang died a considerable time ago, his music has various interpretations and recognition worldwide.
References
France Musique concerts. (2018). Mozart: Requiem (Orchestre national de France / James Gaffigan) [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Forman, M. (1984). Amadeus [Film]. Warner Bros.
Keefe, S. P. (2018). Mozart. Taylor & Francis.
Loh-Hagan, V. (2019). The real Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 45th Parallel Press.
Swafford, J. (2020). Mozart: The reign of love. Faber & Faber.