Antonio Salieri (1750-1825)

Series

Episode

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

2009

20090831

20100712 (R3)

The much maligned Antonio Salieri, mainly remembered today for supposedly poisoning Mozart through jealousy of the younger composer's talent, is the focus for this week's Composer of the Week. This rumour of murder has travelled over two hundred years, inspiring verse by Alexander Pushkin, an opera by Rimsky-Korsakov, to Peter Shaffer's film 'Amadeus'. But is it right that this once highly celebrated composer should be remembered for an unsubstantiated rumour? Salieri was at one time the most famous composer in all Europe, with the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II as his patron. He received offers of work from the King of Sweden, and even dedicated one of his works to Marie Antoinette. He composed over forty operas, including a work premiered for the official opening in Milan of La Scala opera house. Amongst Salieri's students, which he always taught for free unless they came from wealthy backgrounds, were Beethoven, Schubert, Liszt and even Mozart's son Franz Xaver.

In the first programme, Donald Macleod looks at Salieri's formative years, including the loss of his parents early on, and the miracle when he was discovered by the composer Florian Leopold Gassmann, and taken from Venice to Vienna. We hear a specially made recording by the BBC Singers of the Missa stylo a cappella, documented as being one of Salieri's first compositions - and one which was never performed in the composer's lifetime.

Donald Macleod charts Salieri's formative years, focusing on the loss of his parents.

2009

20090901

20100713 (R3)

In the second programme Donald Macleod surveys Salieri's beginnings as a composer in Vienna. Whilst employed as Composer for the Imperial Chamber, Salieri would have been responsible for writing suitable chamber music, and we hear the Cassazione that was likely to have been performed during royal banquets. Salieri, working with his mentor Gassmann at Vienna's opera house, was also offered the opportunity to compose an opera. Opera was to be the arena in which he made his biggest mark, and we hear two extracts from his early works Armida, and La fiera di Venezia.

Donald Macleod explores Salieri's work as composer for the Imperial Chamber in Vienna.

2009

20090902

20100714 (R3)

Donald Macleod in this third programme traces Salieri's highly successful career in the world of opera. On the recommendation of Gluck, Salieri was invited to Milan to compose L'Europa riconosciuta for the official opening of La Scala. During his tour around Italy, he also got time to compose other works, and we'll hear his Piccola Serenata written at this time. Later, Salieri was offered another notable opera commission, again on the advice of Gluck - a work for the Paris Opera. Once in Paris, he journeyed to Versailles to perform for Marie Antoinette. The programme ends with part of the final act of Les Danaides, which was dedicated to the French Queen.

Donald Macleod traces Salieri's successful career in the world of opera.

2009

20090903

20100715 (R3)

In the fourth episode Donald Macleod discusses Salieri's first public competition against Mozart, initiated by Joseph II. Both composers had to write a short opera in their own language, and these would be presented side by side as part of the 1786 carnival season in Vienna. Salieri's work Prima la Musica, Poi le Parole, won favour over Mozart's composition. In addition to this, there was another opportunity to travel back to Paris to compose two more works, where he collaborated with the notorious Beaumarchais. Back in Vienna, Salieri was appointed Director of Music to the Imperial Chapel. He was the most influential composer in all Europe, and with this came a change in direction from opera, to sacred music and teaching. To end the programme we hear his Twenty-six Variations on La Folia di Spagna, which could be seen as an instructive guide to orchestration for his students.

Donald Macleod on how Salieri began to look more to teaching and composing sacred music.

2009

05 LAST

20090904

20100716 (R3)

In the final programme, we follow the last years of Salieri's life, when sick in body and mind he confessed to killing Mozart. Donald Macleod discusses whether there is any truth in the rumour, and traces the impact Salieri had on the world of music. The Requiem composed by Salieri, has been specially recorded by the BBC Singers and BBC Concert Orchestra for this programme. It was first heard at Salieri's own funeral, where the entire musical establishment turned out to pay homage to the great man.

Donald Macleod follows the last years of Salieri's life.

Episodes

Series	Episode	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
2009	01	20090831	20100712 (R3)	The much maligned Antonio Salieri, mainly remembered today for supposedly poisoning Mozart through jealousy of the younger composer's talent, is the focus for this week's Composer of the Week. This rumour of murder has travelled over two hundred years, inspiring verse by Alexander Pushkin, an opera by Rimsky-Korsakov, to Peter Shaffer's film 'Amadeus'. But is it right that this once highly celebrated composer should be remembered for an unsubstantiated rumour? Salieri was at one time the most famous composer in all Europe, with the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II as his patron. He received offers of work from the King of Sweden, and even dedicated one of his works to Marie Antoinette. He composed over forty operas, including a work premiered for the official opening in Milan of La Scala opera house. Amongst Salieri's students, which he always taught for free unless they came from wealthy backgrounds, were Beethoven, Schubert, Liszt and even Mozart's son Franz Xaver. In the first programme, Donald Macleod looks at Salieri's formative years, including the loss of his parents early on, and the miracle when he was discovered by the composer Florian Leopold Gassmann, and taken from Venice to Vienna. We hear a specially made recording by the BBC Singers of the Missa stylo a cappella, documented as being one of Salieri's first compositions - and one which was never performed in the composer's lifetime. Donald Macleod charts Salieri's formative years, focusing on the loss of his parents.
2009	02	20090901	20100713 (R3)	In the second programme Donald Macleod surveys Salieri's beginnings as a composer in Vienna. Whilst employed as Composer for the Imperial Chamber, Salieri would have been responsible for writing suitable chamber music, and we hear the Cassazione that was likely to have been performed during royal banquets. Salieri, working with his mentor Gassmann at Vienna's opera house, was also offered the opportunity to compose an opera. Opera was to be the arena in which he made his biggest mark, and we hear two extracts from his early works Armida, and La fiera di Venezia. Donald Macleod explores Salieri's work as composer for the Imperial Chamber in Vienna.
2009	03	20090902	20100714 (R3)	Donald Macleod in this third programme traces Salieri's highly successful career in the world of opera. On the recommendation of Gluck, Salieri was invited to Milan to compose L'Europa riconosciuta for the official opening of La Scala. During his tour around Italy, he also got time to compose other works, and we'll hear his Piccola Serenata written at this time. Later, Salieri was offered another notable opera commission, again on the advice of Gluck - a work for the Paris Opera. Once in Paris, he journeyed to Versailles to perform for Marie Antoinette. The programme ends with part of the final act of Les Danaides, which was dedicated to the French Queen. Donald Macleod traces Salieri's successful career in the world of opera.
2009	04	20090903	20100715 (R3)	In the fourth episode Donald Macleod discusses Salieri's first public competition against Mozart, initiated by Joseph II. Both composers had to write a short opera in their own language, and these would be presented side by side as part of the 1786 carnival season in Vienna. Salieri's work Prima la Musica, Poi le Parole, won favour over Mozart's composition. In addition to this, there was another opportunity to travel back to Paris to compose two more works, where he collaborated with the notorious Beaumarchais. Back in Vienna, Salieri was appointed Director of Music to the Imperial Chapel. He was the most influential composer in all Europe, and with this came a change in direction from opera, to sacred music and teaching. To end the programme we hear his Twenty-six Variations on La Folia di Spagna, which could be seen as an instructive guide to orchestration for his students. Donald Macleod on how Salieri began to look more to teaching and composing sacred music.
2009	05 LAST	20090904	20100716 (R3)	In the final programme, we follow the last years of Salieri's life, when sick in body and mind he confessed to killing Mozart. Donald Macleod discusses whether there is any truth in the rumour, and traces the impact Salieri had on the world of music. The Requiem composed by Salieri, has been specially recorded by the BBC Singers and BBC Concert Orchestra for this programme. It was first heard at Salieri's own funeral, where the entire musical establishment turned out to pay homage to the great man. Donald Macleod follows the last years of Salieri's life.