[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJHyEVpWiK0&feature=player_embedded#]
Something for the weekend. The Sanctus and Benedictus from the Requiem in C Minor of the man who did not kill Mozart, Antonio Salieri. The play and film Amadeus are amusing, but any relationship between these works of historical fiction and historical fact is purely coincedental.
“One hears such sounds, and what can one say but…. Salieri?” 🙂
Amadeus is my all-time favorite movie — though I realize it is NOT historically accurate, and that Salieri was probably a better composer than he has been given credit for.
I like the film because of the excellent way in which it portrays how wounded pride and vanity can claim someone like Salieri, obviously a devout and sincere Catholic who really did want to glorify God by his work, yet by the end of the movie has turned completely against God and given himself up to his hatred of Mozart. I think of it as a cautionary tale for people like me who may be “smarter than the average bear” when it comes to Catholic teaching, etc. but not necessarily any more holy or less sinful.
There is now a “director’s cut” of Amadeus available, which is about 20 minutes longer. Some of these added scenes explain the story better (warning: one of them does contain nudity, and would probably have bumped the movie up to an R rating had it been included in the original) but there are others that were left out for good reason.
My favorite part of Amadeus is when Mozart improvises on Salieri’s welcome march. Just when you think he has finished playing, he adds three more comical notes and giggles loudly right at Salieri.
Amadeus is a great film, it is in my top 10. Of course it isn’t historically accurate, and I think that should be mentioned at the beginning of such films. It isn’t fair to Salieri to be remembered in such a way.
Here is the scene with cuts.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ciFTP_KRy4&hl=en&fs=1&]
Amadeus was a magnificent play and film although the amusing portion for me was the age old lesson that someone can be a genius in one area of life and a jerk and hapless in other areas. Salieri is simply unable to accept this and thus must destroy Mozart.
One of my favorite pieces of music is Salieri’s variations on La Follia di Spagna. Brilliant stuff.
Grrr to have and be able to afford only dial-up.
“One of my favorite pieces of music is Salieri’s variations on La Follia di Spagna. Brilliant stuff.”
Finally someone who appreciates good music
Or rather merely another pathetic admirer of such marvelous mediocrity!
Settle down maestros!