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Gottfried van Swieten Patron of Haydn and Mozart

1962; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 89; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/jrma/89.1.63

2632-7724

Edward Olleson,

Historical Influence and Diplomacy

The Picture of Gottfried van Swieten which is found in musical literature can scarcely be described as wholly favourable. It has long been recognised that his tastes in music influenced Mozart profoundly, but his close-fistedness has been blamed for contributing to the composer's poverty, and finally for giving Mozart only the cheapest possible funeral. In his dealings with Haydn, Swieten is acknowledged as the leader of that group of the nobility which sponsored the Creation and the Seasons , but this credit is more than balanced by criticism of his libretti to the two oratorios. At the best, it would seem, van Swieten's presence in Vienna was a mixed blessing.