Why do you like Mozart's music?

Hey all,
I was interested in hearing some people's opinions on Mozart's
music. I don't have a strong opinion of my own, which is why I am
asking what other people think. The general view of him (from what
I've seen others say and from what I've read) is that he is a
musical genius. He was able to compose music effortlessly, flawlessly,
and beautifully. Even spending less time on his compositions, he was
leagues above his contemporaries.

I've heard his music described as many different things. It has
been called "light," "all the same," "boring," and "without passion."
On the other hand, however, I've also heard it called "perfect,"
"beautiful" (though I think this adjective is weak since so many people
define so many different types of music as beautiful), "technically
flawless," and "spiritual."

I don't subscribe to one view any more than the other. In fact,
I'm actually hesitant to subscribe to either. I guess what my point is
that I don't understand his music very well. I don't understand what
sets Mozart apart from other composers. I don't understand what
makes him unique. I know a lot of people dislike Mozart because they
think he sounds too "light:" he doesn't "say" anything; his
music isn't about anything. This, however, is not a view to which I
subscribe. I can enjoy music solely for music's sake (though I also
enjoy music that people describe as passionate, deep, etc.), and I do
enjoy a whole range of composers.

Perhaps if I describe why I like some of my favorite composers,
someone can point out to me how Mozart is genuinely unique from them
and how I can appreciate Mozart more because of this. A few of my
favorite composers are: Bach, Beethoven, Dvorak, Rimsky-Korsakov, and
Gershwin. I like Bach because of his polyphonic writing. It is the
way in which the different voices interact with each other, like making
a piece of rope out of multiple strands, that sets him apart. I would
describe some of his music as the most perfect music I have heard
(especially the first movement of the second Brandenburg concerto). As
for Beethoven, it's hard to describe in words, but there is just a
feeling I get when I listen to his music that overwhelms me. To me,
his music seems to flow unrelentlessly and takes me with it, creating
tension and relieving it. Dvorak was one of the first composers that I
started to enjoy. He has a nationalistic, homely, folk-like tone. I
know he didn't use any existing folk-tunes in his music, but many of
his melodies remind me of such. He could be vigorous while being
gentle and epic while being quietly lyrical. I think it's difficult
to dislike RK. His orchestrations are wonderfully colored; each
instrument (or group of instruments) has its own unique image and
purpose in his compositions. I find his works magical, like a fantasy.
Finally, I will speak about Gershwin. He was the composer that got me
started on classical music, specifically his Rhapsody in Blue. His
catchy melodies are what caught my ear at first. The more I listened,
however, the more I found to appreciate. I, too, moved on to his other
orchestral works: the piano concerto, his tone poem, etc. When I
listen to Gershwin, I get overwhelmed with a feeling of joy. During
many of the slower sections of his works, I feel Gershwin contrasts
this with a bittersweet expression of hopelessly wanting a dream to
come true.

Anyways, I should get back to my point.

While writing these short comments on my favorite composers, I re-read
the first story in Bernstein's "The Joy of Music." (the 'Why
Beethoven?' scene). Basically his argument of why Beethoven is such
a great composer is that when he listens to Beethoven, he feels a
feeling of inevitability, a feeling that every successive note could
only be that note and that note alone. This is how I view many of my
favorite composers, too. However, I don't get this impression as
much when I listen to Mozart. I feel like a lot of his works could be
pieced together differently or certain parts could be left out without
changing the work (with exceptions of course). I'm sure my view of
him is askew, but this is exactly why I am asking for others' view.

The works I've heard by Mozart are his last symphonies (35-41), a
handful of his piano concertos (17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27), the
Requiem, and one of his operas (Don Giovanni I think). I didn't
dislike any of what I heard, but none of it really stood out to me
either (except the Jupiter symphony, and especially the finale). I am
not much of an opera buff, so I did not find much help in Don Giovanni.


So, at this point, I guess I will come to the crux of this message.
Since you all have now heard my views about various composers, my likes
and dislikes, I now ask of you to share with me your views of Mozart
and why you enjoy (or dislike) his music. Do you affirm the belief
that he is one of the greatest composers we know? Why? Any opinion on
anything I've asked/stated is more than welcome. One could suggest
specific works that I should hear, books to read, or anything. I'm
very open to suggestion (though I have difficulty reading music -
which is why I'm having trouble finishing Rosen's "The Classical
Style"). Anyways, please share your thoughts!


Regards,
Derek

.

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