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Ironically, the "Amadeus" myth helped Salieri's reputation

posted 9 years ago by Edward_de_Vere
6 replies | jump to latest

This movie is largely responsible for the myth that Salieri had an obsessive hatred for Mozart, conspired to ruin Mozart's career, and perhaps even had a hand in Mozart's death (although the myth actually goes back at least to the mid 19th century). Of course, none of these accusations are remotely true, and that's fine since nobody of sound mind watches this movie as a documentary about Salieri or Mozart.

However, what seems like a slanderous myth actually HELPED Salieri's reputation. How many people only heard about Salieri because of this film, and were motivated to actually listen to some of his works because of it? If it weren't for Amadeus, Salieri would be as obscure as Clementi or any number of other good but not great classical composers. Thanks to Amadeus, there's enough interest in his works among the public to justify occasional recordings and performances of Salieri's music.

For artists, infamy is better than obscurity.

[–] rascal67 9 years ago

I had never heard of Salieri, until I saw the film early 85'. I was only 17 mind you; but I knew of Mozart. This is one of my favourite films and it made me interested in Mozart's music. I promptly rushed out to buy the soundtrack. I have seen the film a trillion and one times and not once have I felt the urge to listen to Salieri or purchase any cd's of his compositions. For me, I guess, the film made me even less interested in his compositions, since a) I didn't like his character...although I loved his character as played by F. Murray Abraham, and b) why bother listening to a mediocrity, when I can have the best, delivered from Mozart?

"One hears such sounds, and what can one say but... Salieri!"

[–] Edward_de_Vere 9 years ago

For me, I guess, the film made me even less interested in his compositions, since a) I didn't like his character...although I loved his character as played by F. Murray Abraham, and

This movie is a work of fiction. By all accounts, neither Mozart nor Salieri were much like their fictional depictions. And furthermore, what difference does it make what a long-deceased composer's personality is like when it comes to deciding whether his music is worth listening to? Beethoven supposedly had a very unpleasant personality. So what? I listen to his symphonies, I don't play darts at the local bar with him.

b) why bother listening to a mediocrity, when I can have the best, delivered from Mozart?

There are a lot of now obscure composers who wrote some masterful music, they just didn't do it consistently. Not many people, even classical music listeners, know who Franz Schmidt is, for example, which is a shame because his 4th symphony is a masterpiece, as good as anything by his much better-known contemporaries like Mahler and Strauss. In the case of Salieri, I wasn't particularly interested by what I heard, it was well-written but not particularly original music, but was still worth investigating. The young Schubert and Liszt thought he was sufficiently talented a musician to be their mentor, so "mediocre" is mostly just a cliche repeated from a fictional film than the historical record.

[–] rascal67 9 years ago

......neither Mozart nor Salieri were much like their fictional depictions. And furthermore, what difference does it make what a long-deceased composer's personality is like when it comes to deciding whether his music is worth listening to?
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That wasn't really the point I was making about not wanting to listen to Salieri; but more along the lines of Salieri not being a revered composer and has become somewhat obscure, compared to the more popular names. And the point of your post, asking if watching the film made others want to become more interested in Salieri. Although Salieri was a fascinating character as depicted in the film, it was still championing Mozart's music and not his. I guess his character fell afoul of his music and even a popular film like AMADEUS, hasn't done him any real favors either.

Beethoven supposedly had a very unpleasant personality. So what? I listen to his symphonies, I don't play darts at the local bar with him.
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Was Beethoven's unpleasant personality, due to his upbringing and abuse he suffered at the hands of his father and this just made him bitter and angry, or was he just arrogant, conceited and narcissistic, like the depiction of Salieri in AMADEUS? While a fictional take—we don't know if it still hit a few bull's-eyes—Peter Shaffer would have still put in a hefty load of research into his play\film script. I guess Salieri's reputation may have preceded him and what could he have learned from Mozart, had he not "allegedly" wanted to ruin\destroy him?

In the case of Salieri, I wasn't particularly interested by what I heard, it was well-written but not particularly original music, but was still worth investigating.
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I am not going to argue any point with you about the quality of classical music Mr. Ed, as from reading your posts, you appear well schooled regarding classical composers. The facetious point I made about not caring to listen to Salieri, is that life is too short to waste time on what is considered a mediocrity, especially when it comes to music, which is the highest of the arts.

[–] oprlvr33 9 years ago

The point, perspective, and methodology that I had read and understood about Salieri, during a classical composer research, was that he withheld one of the highest positions within the emperor's court, and did write some brilliant pieces. However, he was more a mentor and teacher; active more in decisions and political spectrum end of matters, than conducting/performing his music and operas, unlike Mozart. Precisely why the emperor leaned toward Salieri, when concerning matters with Mozart's music and activities. Almost equivalent to that of a mentor. And the fact that Salieri had many pupils which equally occupied his time.

Peanutlee33

[–] phonenumberofthebeast 9 years ago

This movie is largely responsible for the myth that Salieri had an obsessive hatred for Mozart, conspired to ruin Mozart's career, and perhaps even had a hand in Mozart's death (although the myth actually goes back at least to the mid 19th century)

Bit of a contradiction there. All the play/movie did was resurrect an old conspiracy theory that was circulating when Salieri was alive. Very likely the reason no one had heard his music until Amadeus was because he had been tainted by the rumours that he murdered Mozart.

Never say "Worst movie ever" to someone who's seen Highlander 2

[–] Edward_de_Vere 9 years ago

What I probably should have said was that this film is largely responsible for the myth being planted in the public mind today, as opposed to being responsible for the myth itself (though that should have been clear by implication).