Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is often heralded as a musical genius, but beneath the surface of this glorified narrative lies a web of deceit and fabrication that has distorted his true legacy. Far from the infallible icon of classical music, Mozart’s name has been misused and manipulated, particularly by those closest to him, to propagate falsehoods for personal gain.

The Forged Bass Continuo School

In 1796, an advertisement in the Wiener Zeitung promoted a so-called ‘undiscovered manuscript’ by Mozart, known as the Bass Continuo School. This work, supposedly authored by the composer, was vouched for by none other than Constanze’s later husband, Von Nissen. Despite his assurances, the manuscript was nothing more than an elaborate forgery. Astonishingly, it took until the 19th century for this fact to be fully recognised, yet even today, the work is still mistakenly believed to be authentic in some circles. This incident marks just one of the many times Mozart’s name was exploited to sell fraudulent compositions.

Constanze Mozart’s Role in Perpetuating the Fraud

Constanze Mozart, Wolfgang’s widow, played a pivotal role in perpetuating these fabrications. Desperate for financial security, she repeatedly sold what she claimed to be ‘autograph’ versions of Mozart’s works, including his famous Requiem. Despite being incomplete drafts, she presented them as finished masterpieces, leading to her being publicly reprimanded for her dishonesty. Constanze’s actions reveal a troubling willingness to deceive, driven by her need to capitalise on Mozart’s fame.

The Role of August Eberhard Müller

Another key figure in this web of deceit was August Eberhard Müller, a musician who benefited from having his own compositions falsely attributed to Mozart. Among these spurious works were various pieces listed in the Köchel Catalogue’s appendix, including a hymn that Müller performed in Leipzig under the guise of a Mozart composition. Müller’s readiness to accept, if not encourage, this misattribution highlights the extent to which Mozart’s name was exploited by those eager to bask in his reflected glory.

The Enduring Legacy of Deception

Even years after Mozart’s death, these forgeries continued to circulate, with works like the Bass Continuo School and Müller’s hymn still mistakenly believed to be genuine Mozart compositions. The persistence of these fabrications underscores how deeply ingrained the myth of Mozart has become in the classical music world. The readiness of individuals like Constanze and Müller to distort the truth for personal benefit casts a long shadow over Mozart’s legacy, prompting us to question how much of what we believe about him is truly authentic.