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Mozart’s letters reveal missing originals, questionable authorship, and forgeries, adding complexity to his legacy.

Though long credited to Mozart, the lullaby “Schlafe mein Prinzchen, schlaf ein” hides a murky history. Initially published by Nissen, Constanze’s second husband, it has endured as one of Mozart’s supposed works—despite a trail of doubts. In 1798, Constanze herself noted sending “another piece of Mozart’s in place of the lullaby,” raising questions about its origins. By the 20th century, researchers revealed it as the work of lesser-known composers, yet it remains deceptively tied to Mozart, its myth surviving through mere footnotes.

The authenticity of Mozart’s Horn Concerto K.412 remains hotly debated, as the work bears numerous contradictions in its manuscript history. The first movement may be original, but what about the rest? The inclusion of Franz Xaver Süssmayr and later editorial meddling raises serious questions about what we are really listening to when we hear this ‘Mozart’ concerto.

Attributing Offertorium K.34 to Mozart is not just misleading, it reflects the careless methods used by 19th-century scholars to inflate his legacy. Without an autograph or solid evidence, this work should not be considered part of his output.”

Mozart’s string duets have long been shrouded in mystery, from his father’s heavy influence in 1768 to his supposed act of charity for a dying Michael Haydn in 1783. These unfinished works reveal more about the composer’s life and struggles than they do about his musical genius.

K.2 89a (K.6 73i), attributed to Mozart, is riddled with issues—missing voices, incomplete harmonies, and even the absence of text. Should this piece really be in his catalogue?