Mozart's Charism

Where did Mozart's genius come from? Inside him, as the modern way of thinking would have it? From outside, as the Greek world, in tune with the gods, saw things?

A way to think of it is that music played Mozart. Hans Gadamer explains that it is the game that plays the player. This makes sense because the "rules of the game" are what make the game, and give all the players their roles. The best players "go with the flow," behaving in sync with the game being played. Truth and Method, p. 101 ff.

Does this explain Mozart's charism? I've given the game away with the word, since "charism" means grace, which is bestowed by the god, the muse.

We can all agree that Mozart's music reflects something of the Divine. And we can name the muse that inspired him in various ways, including "Holy Spirit," that One who "played" on the waters of chaos, and who inspires men to acts of goodness and order in all ages. We can all be players in that game if we choose! Mozart? . . . roll the dice!

Listen to Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21, Adante.

Listen to Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 in A, 2d Movement.

Listen to Mozart's 4oth Symphony.