More on the "Mozartian"

by Chris Schatz

The terms "Mozartian" and "un-Mozartian" are used by critics who intend to explain a work in terms of either its authenticity or its inauthenticity, respectively. By use of these terms the author function is invoked by critics to associate or divorce the Sinfonia Concertante from the stylistic characteristics of Mozart's music. The two terms have contrasting functions. The term "Mozartian" gives closure to the Sinfonia Concertante: it places the work historically with a period and an author. The term "un-Mozartian" is more ambiguous: it emphasizes that the critic feels that the work is not authentically Mozart's and is thus not a closed work. "Un-Mozartian" is a term without signification; therefore the critics who profess that the authenticity of the Sinfonia Concertante is spurious may not describe meaning in terms of an author.