Mozart the idol: Searching for beauty in times of crisis
Key takeaways
- In times of war and destruction, people often invoke the ideals of the classical era.
- "Now, more than ever, with the world plagued by crises and at risk of being engulfed by war, there is a growing desire for unity," says Evelyn Meining, artistic director of the Mozartfest Würzburg.
- Throughout history, the genius and beauty of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's music has frequently provided comfort during times of crisis — and it continues to do so today.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Mozart's music evokes lightness and beauty. In times of war and destruction, people often invoke the ideals of the classical era. But is this just an escape from reality? The Mozartfest Würzburg offers different answers.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Eec5Opening performance with the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, which was founded in 1841 with the help of Mozart's widow, Constanze Image: Dita Vollmond Advertisement When the world seems to be falling apart, people look for something to hold on to. "Now, more than ever, with the world plagued by crises and at risk of being engulfed by war, there is a growing desire for unity," says Evelyn Meining, artistic director of the Mozartfest Würzburg.
Throughout history, the genius and beauty of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's music has frequently provided comfort during times of crisis — and it continues to do so today. "As a composer, he is a figurehead, especially when there is a sense of hyper-stimulation and polarization," Meining tells DW. That is why the motto of Germany's largest Mozart festival this year is "Evoked Beauty: Mozart the Idol."