Mozart's Reverence for Handel and the Influence on His Compositional Style
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the most celebrated composers in history, had a deep admiration for George Frideric Handel, a musician from whom he derived significant inspiration. Although Mozart showed a positive attitude towards Handel throughout his entire life, their connection was far more than mere appreciation. The favorable circumstances and cultural milieu surrounding Mozart in the late 18th century played a crucial role in deepening his admiration for Handel, ultimately influencing his compositional style.
Initial Acquaintance and Early Exposure
Throughout his early life, Mozart was exposed to Handel's music. People around him, likely through their personal interactions with Handel, instilled in Mozart a profound sense of the Master's musical legacy. When Mozart moved from Salzburg to Vienna, he was introduced to the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel through Baron Gottfried van Swieten. The Baron, who was the Prefect of the Austrian Imperial Library, provided Mozart with access to unpublished or manuscript forms of Handel's music. Mozart's relationship with these pieces was intimate, as evidenced by his letters to his father, where he mentioned playing Handel and Bach's music weekly at the Baron's home.
The Depth of Mozart's Affection for Handel
Mozart's affection for Handel went beyond mere enjoyment; it was deeply personal. A letter he wrote to his father in April 1782 revealed the extent of his engagement with Handel's music. 'Every Sunday we go to Baron von Suiten and there we play nothing but Handel and Bach,' Mozart wrote, underscoring the pivotal role these composers played in his musical development.
Through these experiences, Mozart learned not only from the Baroque style but also from the technical nuances of Handel's works. He borrowed music from the Baron and used these sweet gifts for his wife, who adored them. This demonstrates the personal and emotional connection Mozart had with Handel's music.
Artistic Growth and Influence
The influence of Handel on Mozart's own compositions was substantial. For instance, in the Mass in C minor, Mozart integrated grandiloquent choruses that showcased his deep appreciation of Handel's style. Later, in 1783, he composed a four-part fugue for two pianos in C minor, which he eventually arranged for strings. The advertisement included an Adagio that emulated the style of a Handel overture. These works exemplify a terrible cumulative power, reflecting both a tribute and a deeply personal acknowledgment of Handel's genius.
Personal Homage and Artistic Innovation
Mozart's deepest homage to Handel came through modernized arrangements of several of Handel's oratorios. These arrangements were commissioned by Baron van Swieten, reflecting the complexity and modernity Mozart brought to the Baroque form. He replaced traditional instruments with more contemporary ones, enhancing the emotional impact of the music. For example, in the intro to 'Every Valley' from MESSIAH, the piccolo trumpet was replaced with a soaring horn obligato, a creative and deeply personal reinterpretation that showed his respect and love for Handel's work.
Mozart's deep love for Handel's music was such that he ventured to 'modernize' the oratorios, making them more accessible and moving them into the realm of contemporary concert life. This innovative approach reflected the depth of Mozart's admiration for his Baroque counterpart. The care and depth he put into these arrangements were not just commercial endeavors but a profound expression of musical legacy.
The influence of Handel was so great that even after Mozart's death, van Swieten continued to commission other composers, such as Haydn, to modernize Handel's works. It is highly probable that van Swieten also introduced Ludwig van Beethoven to the world of Handel through Mozart's arrangements. Beethoven would eventually elevate Handel's status to even higher heights in the pantheon of great composers, citing his influence on his writing and composition.
Throughout his life, Mozart's relationship with Handel was not just a superficial admiration but a deep rooted musical and personal inspiration. Through his patron Baron van Swieten, Mozart was able to deeply engage with Handel's music, leading to a profound influence on his own works. This relationship showcases the beauty and depth of musical evolution and artistic innovation over time.