ᏨᎾᏁᎿᏒᎯᏕᎿᎨᏁᎶ ᏨᎾᎷᏢᎾᏕᎬᏒᏕ
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Leonard Bernstein are two famous composers from two very different time periods, both influential and very well respected during the time in which they were active. Both had the fortunate circumstance of being able to be involved in the production and performance of their works during their lives and played a pivotal role in influencing the style of other composers during their lives. The two men had the eyes and ears of the public and knew it. Being from two such totally different time periods, however, they had very different “sounds” to characterize their compositions.
For instance, Mozart, living from 1756- 1791, catered to a time in the “Holy Roman Empire” when his work was appreciated for "...melodic beauty, its formal elegance and its richness of harmony and texture."(Eisen 1) Wolfgang had the distinct and adjudicated ability to run through various scales and modal theory patterns, chord structures, and varied melodic phrases all at the same time in various sections of the orchestra (woodwinds, brass, strings) and was a master of creating incredible symmetry during all of this. It led to an unbelievably complex composition which was identified with on its “scaling”, keeping one affixed to the movement, while bringing forth colorful and complex melodies which linger and replicate throughout different instrumentation, thus adding a new flavor each time it is played.
The primary affixation of even bolder scale runs and symmetry tested the skills of musicians' abilities and attracted talent to Mozart’s symphonies, being an accomplished pianist and violinist himself from a very young age. “These began with an exhibition in 1762 at the court of Prince-elector Maximilian III of Bavaria in Munich, and at the Imperial Courts in Vienna and Prague. A long concert tour followed, spanning three and a half years, taking the family to the courts of Munich, Mannheim, Paris, London…” (English Heritage) This led him to be able to arrange over 800 compositions over the course of his life, dying at the young age of thirty - five years old.
In contrast, Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was a composer for a modernizing America and known as really the first American Composer to be given international acclaim. He lived more than twice as Mozart, and his accomplishments were set in musical theater for some of his best-known work. “Bernstein was the first American-born conductor to lead a major American symphony orchestra…” (Oliver 2)
Bernstein not only composed and conducted but taught and in every way brought classical music to the masses with his flamboyant, energetic, and attention-grabbing style. He brought masterpieces to Broadway, like the acclaimed “West Side Story”, a Romeo and Juliet set in his modern-day New York City. I had the luck of catching an off-Broadway production of the musical Albany, New York in an outdoor venue when I was young. It brought out a love for musical theater in me which has inspired me to in - turn carry the torch to my children in what way I can. It showed me what was possible in an art form I may have otherwise missed in the modern-day digitized world that we all live in.
The two composers I got the chance to relate to you here, I have done so to pass on a recommendation, go listen to them! If I had to pick my time of which to spend the day with most often, however, it would definitely be that of the prolific, and ecstatically celebrated Leonard Bernstein. The world is full of choices for music these days, not always giving credit to the composers of old, and not always reflecting the centuries of development music has gone through over these times. I highly recommend that you take, a minute, (maybe right now?) and log into Youtube, search out “West Side Story” and enjoy a few minutes of one of the best ever Broadway Musicals. You won’t regret it.
Works Cited
Eisen, Cliff.
English Heritage.
Oliver, Myrna.
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