First Blog

What do Mozart and I have in common? At first blush, you might suggest, “Both of you like Mozart’s music,” not adding that, “and it ends there.” Yet, there is common ground. The Answer is that ... Mozart and I are both “techies.” It all began in 1698. After hundreds of attempts by dozens of craftsmen, the Italian instrument maker Bartolomeo Cristofori* finally solved all the problems inherent in making a harpsichord with hammers , the Piano Forte. While it is unimportant just what the problems were, the result was the creation of a new instrument with a dynamic range that completely eclipsed the harpsichord. The new sound excited the public; the powerful and rich Medici listed one of Christofori’s instruments in a 1700 inventory of instruments. Here was a powerful new tool, hardly touched by new composition. Techniques and rules of composition for it did not exist. The first explorers with the new technology, which included Mozart, would have a great impact.  In the beginning, th

Dear all, Right now, I'm listening to Mozart's Piano Concerto #18, KV 456, just one more example of this great genius' contributions to music.  As I listen, I ask, I always ask, if there is anything I've done that measures up to this or any other concerto, or for that matter any other work composed by Mozart. As usual, I come up with a resounding "No."  This brings me to a life's recurrent theme, and that is how great is the genius of Mozart that even my best of whatever I've done pales next to even his most mediocre work.  (In fact, nothing of Mozart is mediocre.)  Mozart provides for me the ultimate humility of creativity.   It demonstrates we, as a race, are capable of reaches simply beyond our own understanding. Make no doubt, this applies in philosophy, in physics, in mathematics, in psychology, and in almost anything of meritorious effort.    I am diminished by but enhanced by Mozart.  Don't get me started on Bach or Beethoven, both com

What do Mozart and I have in common? At first blush you might suggest, “Both of you like Mozart’s music,” not adding that, “and it ends there.” Yet, there is common ground. The answer is that ... Mozart and I are both “techies.” It all began in 1698. After hundreds of attempts by dozens of craftsmen, the Italian instrument maker Bartolmeo Cristofori* finally solved all the problems inherent in making a harpsichord with hammers , the Piano Forte. While it is unimportant just what the problems were, the result was the creation of a new instrument with a dynamic range that completely eclipsed the harpsichord. The new sound excited the public; the powerful and rich Medici’s listed one of Christofori’s instruments in a 1700 inventory of instruments. Here was a powerful new tool, hardly touched by new composition. Techniques and rules of composition for it did not exist. The first explorers with the new technology, which included Mozart, would have a great impact.  In the beginning the