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

Daß die ohnöthigen bildereyen in den kirchen, die vielen opfertafeln, und instrumental=musique
etc: |: was hier geschehen wird :| bey ihnen schon abgekommen sind – war mir etwas Neues. – da
glaubt der vermuthlich sich dadurch beym einzuschmeicheln; aber ich
glaube schwerlich dass diese seine Politique von grossem nutzen seyn mag. 105
Mozart’s use of “instrumental=musique” appears to conform to other uses of the term we
have encountered throughout this chapter, implying not only instrumental pieces but also
choral works accompanied by an ensemble. If this is true, then the mention of paintings,
tablets, music, “etc.” in one phrase may seem rather dismissive and indicative of little regard
for the musical and liturgical tradition to which Mozart had contributed over the past
decade. It is possible that Mozart did indeed feel that way about sacred music at that point in
time. However, the fact that he had likely begun work on the C minor Mass by September
1782 suggests that the dismissive tone and references to “useless” paintings are meant
sarcastically, as so often when Mozart mentioned Archbishop Colloredo.
A notable feature of this passage is Mozart’s knowledge of reforms that were yet to be
implemented in Vienna (“was hier geschehen wird”), and one must naturally wonder where
he heard about them. In the same month that this letter was written, Joseph prepared his
directive to Baron Kressel, setting out for the first time his views on church music, but none
of this material was made public. Most paintings and votive tablets were indeed eventually
banned, but not until February 1784. 106 It is possible that Mozart was referring to the ban of
May 1782 on all “unnecessary” decoration in churches, but that directive had already passed
and did not specify particular items in the same way that composer named them. We must
consider the possibility that Mozart had “insider” knowledge through his various aristocratic
contacts, and perhaps church contacts as well.
105 MBA, iii.231.
106 AVA A-Cultus 11 Gen 412/2/1784; RGZJ, 485.
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