Happy Anniversary: Eine kleine Nachtmusik - Mozart's Most Famous Serenade! (Aug -10-1787)
(Title image by DALL-E 3)
Hi WA Friends!
You're probably wondering what I am talking about: "Eine what?" Well, I'm back with another musical post related to my love of classical music, which only takes a back seat to opera!
Admittedly, it's more fun to wake up a few dozen neighbors at 2 A.M. by rocking a Strat plugged into a Marshall stack, but let's get musically serious here with Mozart's Most Famous Serenade!
Everyone's Heard "A Little Night Music"
Wolfgang is not only one of the most celebrated composers in history, but Eine kleine Nachtmusik is one of the most well-known classical pieces in the world! I can almost guarantee you've heard at least a few bars of the opening movement!
A Brief History
Eine kleine Nachtmusik was composed in 1787, but it wasn't published until August 10, 1787, long after Mozart’s death. The piece was originally written for a string quintet but is now often performed by a string orchestra, making its melodies even more powerful!
This title, which translates to "A Little Night Music," suggests something light, elegant, and suitable for an evening gathering—a perfect serenade to accompany a moonlit soirée!
Breaking Down The Music
This serenade consists of four movements, each with its distinct character (courtesy of ChatGPT):
- Allegro: The opening movement is lively and full of energy, setting the tone for the entire piece.
- Romanze: This second movement is more lyrical, providing a gentle contrast.
- Menuetto: Here, Mozart introduces a dance-like rhythm that’s both graceful and elegant.
- Rondo: The finale is spirited, bringing the piece to a vibrant close.
The opening of the allegro gives us the exhilarating musical motif that everyone loves to hum! Check out this YouTube video of Eine kleine Nachtmusik by the McGill Symphony Orchestra; it's a real treat!
https://youtu.be/r_oK8dKIBYc?si=R-bxOImd8OPF7RGk
Remembering The Movie "Amadeus"
Do you remember the movie, Amadeus? It hit the theaters back in 1984 and was about the life and times of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It won eight Academy Awards, so it's worth a look if you've never seen it!
Anyway, in the opening scene, Antonio Salieri plays a medley of his works on a piano to try to impress a priest with his virtuosity. The priest does not know any of the music until he plays the opening bars to Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik, which he recognizes immediately and starts humming along with it.
Our Evening Of Classical Music
So, tonight, we're having our own moonlit soirée to celebrate the anniversary of Eine kleine Nachtmusik with food, drink, and lots of Mozart! Due to the nature of the musical repertoire, it's more of a "professional party." It promises to be an interesting mix of some of our physician, lawyer, and banker friends. Over the years, I've managed to get some of them to broaden their musical horizons by enjoying smooth jazz and light rock; no easy task! Lol 😎
Tell Me What You Think!
Who is your favorite classical composer, and why? Have you seen the movie "Amadeus?" Did you recognize Eine kleine Nachtmusik by its name? If not, be sure to watch the YouTube video I linked to above!
Make it an evening of classical music in honor of Mozart's "A Little Night Music," AND ...
Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘
Frank 🎸
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Recent Comments
28
Hi Frank,
This is actually on my personal favorites by Mozart, Frank! Particularly the third movement - BTW - if you go back and watch "G.I. Jane" (1997) with Demi Moore and Viggo Mortensen, there's a brief banquet scene with Anne Bancroft where they're playing this piece in the background.
I have Beethoven and Mozart neck-to-neck as far as classical composers, leaning to Mozart for the operas on one side, and Beethoven for his symphonies on the other (Fifth
and Sixth Symphony and the Ninth's "Ode to Joy")
Amadeus was a great film back in 1984! 🎼
Appreciate the post! 🎸🤘
Isaiah 😁
Hi Isaiah
You obviously know your classical music and opera, and I fully agree with your take on Beethoven and Mozart. 👍👍
Yes, Amadeus is one of my absolute favorite movies and I watch it every chance I get. I'm still waiting for the 4K version. Too bad that streaming, with its extremely poor audio quality, is killing the movie on disc industry.
We'll re-watch GI Jane tonight and I'll be on the lookout for that scene. 😎
Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Hey Frank
Growing up with barbershop and then moving into the Rock & Roll world, I've never had classical music in my life, so I know very little about it. But, as you know I have a deep appreciation for all musicians, especially composers. The little bit I've heard and read about has made me realize that these composers were extremely talented people!
Hats off to these great talents! And Happy Anniversary: Eine kleine Nachtmusik! 🎵🎼🎶🎹
Thanks for a little more musical education, Frank!! 😎🎵🎸🤘
Tim 🎼
Hi Tim
Barbershop was a great opportunity! It helped develop your sense of harmony and timing for Rock n' Roll.
To me, great metal music sounds like Bach, sped up and played with an overabundance of distortion and sustain. Lol 😝
I'm sure you are familiar with Eine kleine Nachtmusik. Watch the YouTube video in my post if you're not sure which classic piece it is.
Also, if you've never seen the movie "Amadeus," it's a musical must-see and very amusing in parts. 😎
Once you get into the world of classical music and opera, there's no turning back. It's challenging to hear everything just once in a single lifetime, and it's all mind-blowing! 🎶
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Hi Frank!
I had to listen to classical music in school as part of my required studies. I grew to like many classical composers, but for some reason, maybe because of my love of German food, the only classical album I ever bought was Johann Strauss's music.
I guess I imagined myself and my bride-to-be enjoying a great meal and then a few waltzes. LOL
The current day, John Williams, is amazing: so many great movie soundtracks!
Hi Howard
All the German opera composers are amazing, including Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Wagner, Handel, etc.
I fully agree that John Williams composed some top notch scores over the years. 😎
Frank 🎸
Beautiful, Frank! I just love the classical stuff that carries a lot of significance and meaning to the world!
Myra ♥️
See more comments
Good morning Frank,
I have heard that music before! It's amazing how an orchestra comes together make that amazing sound.
I must admit it's not the type of music I could sit down and just listen to, I would want to be doing something. But I guess that's the great thing about music, there are all different types for everyone. I do appreciate the orchestra though and all the effort and practice that goes into it.
Have a great day.
Roy
Hi Roy
It seems that I have to be the mood to listen to rock vs. Jazz vs. blues, etc., but I can listen to classical and opera anytime.
It’s a bit frightening how many classical and operatic pieces there are, but it’s such a wonderful path of discovery. We make it a point to listen to this kind of music each night with dinner.
It transports us to a different world and enhances the entire culinary experience! 😎
Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
It's funny how sometimes we feel like listening to certain types of music, Frank! Now I didn't think you would be able to listen to opera at any time, I thought that maybe for special occasions!
I can believe that classical music would go well with dinner! My brother always has classical music on when he is working in his carpentry workshop. That's a very rare thing to hear or see in this day and age, some of the music I hear coming out on building sites, I feel I would sooner listen to my stump grinder running! And I actually mean that!😁
I understand where you're coming from, Frank! What a wonderful thing music is.
Have a great Tuesday.
Roy
Hi Roy
There’s barely a day that goes by when I don’t listen to opera, but on Sunday I enjoy it for three or four hours at a time!
Yeah, unfortunately our younger generations seem to be discounting musical works done by the great masters.
Haha, I love your stump grinder analogy. Lol 🤣😂
Frank 🤘🎸
Good afternoon/morning Frank,
You have surprised me again! There was me thinking you were listening to some classic rock tunes and you're listening to opera! But we have to listen to what we enjoy and it's something you obviously like! It sounds like somebody is a big opera day!
I think your property right there, Frank, there has been some great music created over the years. I'm not so sure about some of this modern music, though.
We have a long narrow bridge in the village, which goes across the river. We live right near the bridge, so cars often have to queue and wait for the oncoming traffic. Sometimes, I will hear some exceptionally loud Rap coming out of a convertible, to me, it's just such an awful sound; surely that's not music! I genuinely would rather listen to my stump grinder, as at least it's serving a purpose and it doesn't sound irritating!
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Roy
Hi Roy
You are properly correct to think of me listening to classic rock throughout the day and night.
I listen to rock, blues, metal, country, jazz, fusion, R&B, and select rap of a very instrumental nature.
I do believe that many listeners are guided by what’s trending.
I like my music compositionally complex, which is why classical and opera are at the top of the list.
To me, opera is as close as we can get to the voice of God, and I mean that in the most religiously respectful way. 😎
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
I do tend to think if you're listening to classic rock music, Frank, but it's great you have such an interest in so much different music.
When I was younger, I would always listen to the BBC chart rundown, which was on a Tuesday lunchtime. Back in those days, we almost had to listen to what we were given, but I'm wondering if it's different now with the Internet. It probably is!
I understand where you're coming from by complex music, Frank, as I note something that you would deeply understand.
I guess the problem for me with Opera is that I don't really fully understand it. But I do understand where you are coming from, Frank. It's wonderful that you have so much pleasure from your music.
Have a fantastic Thursday.
Roy
Hi Roy
I can understand enough of the words in Italian opera to follow what’s going on.
However, opera was composed in so many languages that it’s nearly impossible to understand all the lyrics.
No matter, because I lock onto the notes actually coming out of their mouth, so it’s more like another instrument.
Melodies played on instruments are oftentimes meant to mimic the human voice with vibrato, tremolo, dynamics, etc. 😎
Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
I always knew that opera was quite deep and going by what you are saying, Frank, it certainly appears like it!
I understand where you're coming from regarding the notes being more like an instrument. That's kind of amazing! It's like sometimes with a musical instrument, it almost talks!
I just read your final sentence, Frank, which I have put above, I think we are on the same wavelength!
A very happy Sunday to you.
Roy
Hi Roy
Perhaps I have tempted you to take a closer listen to opera. 😎
Check out the post I wrote today on Antonio Salieri's birthday. It has some links to where you can listen to a fine selection of opera. The Spotify link is free. Happy Birthday Antonio Salieri (August 18, 1750) and Opera Sunday! Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
It's funny you say that, Frank, but I can't imagine me listening to opera in the best possible way, but who knows!
I will take a look at your post in a moment.
A very happy Monday to you.
Roy
Hope you had a great day, Roy! 😎😎
Frank 🤘🎸