A short compilation of writings on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart seem out of Karl Barth's normal subject matter. 8936 pages are used to display his monumental Church Dogmatics. He has, however, altered a musicians perspective on the life and work of Mozart. I was one that has discounted Mozart as "fluff," "repetitive," and "predictable." I must reconsider. Here are just a few of my favorite quotes:
"I even have to confess taht if I ever get to heaven, I would first of all seek out Mozart and only then inquire after Augustine, St. Thomas, Luther, Calvin, and Schleiermacher. How am I to explain this? In a few words perhaps this way: our daily bread must also include playing. I hear Mozart - both younger and older - at play. But play is something so lofty and demanding that it requires mastery. And in Mozart I hear an art of playing as I hear it in no one else. Beautiful playing presupposes an intuitive, childlike awareness of the essence or center - as also the beginning and the end - of all things. It is from this center, from this beginning and end, that I heard Mozart create his music."
And I must attribute my first reminder that music is play to Susan Heninger. I have often credited
her with the knowledge that the hard work of excellent musicianship is ultimately "play."
"I am one of those Protestants of whom Mozart is supposted to have once said that we probably could not properly understand the Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi. Pardon me - Mozart probably knows better now. Still, I don't want to trouble Mozart with theology on this point..."
And finally a quote that I think most musicians will acknowledge paints beautiful verbal picture with accurate insight:
"Once upon a time I formulated my notion [of the state of music in heaven] this way: it may be that when the angels go about their task of praising God, they play only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille, they play Mozart and that then too our dear Lord listens with special pleasure."
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