27 August 2009

When Goethe Saw Mozart

Wed., Feb. 3.
Dined with Goethe. We talked of Mozart. “I saw him,” said Goethe, “at seven years old, when he gave a concert while travelling our way. I myself was about fourteen years old, and remember perfectly the little man, with his frisure and sword.” I stared, for it seemed to me almost wonderful that Goethe was old enough to have seen Mozart when a child.

— Johann Peter Eckermann, Conversations with Goethe (vol. ii, I’m guessing)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Poor Goethe! He was in fact 41 years old when he met Mozart for the first time!! Not 14