This Tuesday marked the 259th birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  Mozart was born January 27, 1756 in Salzburg.  His pieces are models of the Classical style with compositions in all major Classical styles, including symphony, opera, solo concerto, chamber music, and sonata.

Mozart's works had enormous influence on future generations of composers. One such composer was Ludwig van Beethoven who deeply admired Mozart's work and was an acquaintance of Mozart during his teenage years. Beethoven so deeply revered Mozart that he traveled to Vienna in 1787 in hopes of studying under him.  After years of travel Beethoven return to Vienna in 1792, the year after Mozart's death. Upon this return Beethoven's life began to mirror Mozart's with him striking up a friendship with Joseph Haydn – a close friend to Mozart, and receiving patronage from Countess Maria Wilhelmine who was a strong supporter of Mozart. Mozart's influence on Beethoven was profound and continued on for many years after his death. This influence is evident in a sketchbook owned by Beethoven that contained a passage he copied from Mozart's 40th Symphony that he was using while he was composing his Fifth Symphony. 

Special Collections holds in its rare book vault a piece of vocal score for Mozart's opera Entführung aus dem Serrail, also known as Il Seragliodating (M1503. M93 E5 1785) dating from circa 1785. The score is 134 pages in length and has an inscription on page one that reads "Beethoven 20 May 1824". While this inscription has not been authenticated, this alleged personal possession of Beethoven's provides interesting insight into the esteem with which he held Mozart's works. The artifact is also interesting as it acknowledges the lifelong influence Mozart had on Beethoven's musical development, as Beethoven died March 26 1827, 3 years after the inscription. It is easy for one to imagine Beethoven pouring over Mozart's score looking for inspiration and guidance in creating new compositions.

-Trent Purdy