MOZART AND THE PRACTICE OF SACRED MUSIC, 1781-91 a ...

it seems that Wenzel Sukowaty, the chief music copyist of the court theatre from 1778, had
taken over responsibility for some or all of the Hofkapelle’s music copying. 42 Despite Joseph’s
order that payments should be limited 6kr per Bogen, Sukowaty wrote to the Theatral
Direction in February 1792, arguing that, due to the extra work involved in copying sacred
music, he should be paid the near-exorbitant rate of 12kr per Bogen: 43
Hochlöbl: k. k. Theatral Direction!
Unterzeichneter bittet um die gnädigste Verwilligung, daß ihm für jene Copiaturen, welche für
die Hofkirche gehören, 12 Xr von Bogen verabfolget werden möchten, und unterstützet seine
Bitte mit folgenden Beweggründen:
1 mo Ware es schon vor sehr langen Jahren her bestimmt für jeden solchen Bogen in vorigen
wohlfeileren Zeiten 12 Xr zubezahlen.
2 do Wird eine grössere Mühe erforderet einen solchen Bogen zu copiren, weil selber nicht nur
mit Noten und Text, sondern auch mit Ziffern bezeichnet werden muß.
3 tio Ist Bittsteller gezwungen einen eigenen Menschen dazu zuhalten, welchem er wegen der
erforderlichen acuratesse und Genauigkeit mehr bezahlen muß.
Wenzl Sukowiati [sic]
Theatral Copist 44
The theatre referred the request to Salieri, but the application was rejected – “Bittsteller ist
abzuweisen.” The tone of Sukowaty’s letter suggests that the association with the Hofkapelle
was ongoing, but we do not know when he began copying for the ensemble. It is conceivable
that the relationship began in 1788, when the money for the Hofkapelle’s salaries and
operating expenses was transferred to the theatre account. As the theatre had a pre-existing
association with Sukowaty, perhaps it was felt that consolidating the court’s copying needs
under one shop would promote a more efficient use of resources.
(Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004), 423. “Tangel” may be identifiable with Joseph Tangel, a “Musiker”
whose infant son died on 11 May 1786.
42 On Sukowaty, see MVC, Chapter 9. Sukowaty’s association with the Hofkapelle is not mentioned by Edge.
43 On rates of payment for music copying at this time, see MVC, 135-39.
44 Quoted in Angermüller, Dokumente, ii.242. The signature given by Angermüller (A-Whh, HMK Akten 1, f.
9) is incorrect; the correct signature is HMK Akten 2, f. 8.
142