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What is a Mozart?

As my brother facetiously put it this evening, "What is a Mozart?"

Well, this afternoon I was listening to Mozart's Requiem Mass (as opposed to the Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan soundtrack that I usually listen to at 2pm on a Tuesday) when a co-worker came into my IT office and asked if I was getting into Halloween early.

I had no idea what he was referring to until he clarified by pointing out my music.

Really... how the hell does Mozart qualify as Halloween music? I realize the Requiem Mass isn't exactly cheery and uplifting, but even if you've never heard it before I hardly think it conjures up images of ghouls, goblins and various other traditional Halloween monsters... or for that matter, non-traditional monsters like the Care Bears, and Hayden Christensen.

I think I was listening to a version performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, and last I checked they weren't known for there use of the theremin... so it's not like I was listening to some weird strange version by Wendy Carlos.

I'm probably the last person to be accused of being cultured... but I think there's something terribly wrong in the world when one of the world's greatest composers is being confused with a soundtrack of eerie noises that can be purchased in the discount CD bin of your local gas station for $2.50.

So to answer the question: A Mozart is an archaic and eccentric dead guy who used to write music. He was mostly known for not making any cool videos or using modern instruments. You can find his works in the same section as that guy that wrote the "I killed the Wabbit" song.

Comments

  1. Some people are just scared of culture.
    Considering Halloween is just a few days away and on peoples' minds, plus that 'scary' culture of yesteryear, its not surprising some might mix them up.

    And since I've seen the Elmer Fudd version in the kids section, and another in Sound Tracks (think helicopters and the smell of napalm in the morning), I think people may distracted from the classical section.
    Ride the Valkyries with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2VMqQ6XnmI&

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