Mozart's Sister Read Online Free PDF

before, you need to write it down," Papa said.
    Wolfie continued to play. "I'll remember."
    Papa's voice became stern. "Write it down"
    Wolfie stopped playing. "It's not my tune. It's Haydn's. I just
made it better."
    "Don't be impertinent," Mama said.
    "I thought I recognized the basic tune," Papa said. "And I agree.
It is better." He pointed at me. "Nannerl, bring your brother some
paper." Then to Wolfie he said, "You write it down. But remember,
I want you to continue writing your own music. Original music."
    I brought him a piece of staffed paper. He curled it over his head
like a bonnet and giggled.
    "Wolfgang!" Papa said.
    Wolfie slipped off the bench and lay on his stomach on the floor.
His legs were bent at the knee, in constant motion.
    Papa pointed to my place by the window. "The table, young
man. I will not have you using quill and ink on your mother's rug.
Nannerl, make room."
    I scooted over but didn't want to. I'd never be able to concentrate with him sharing the table. It was hard enough to work with
Papa and Mama talking about the details of the Grand Tour. Letters of credit and introduction, lodging arrangements, discussions of
which music and clothing to pack for all possible occasions. I
wanted to help plan too.

    Wolfie sat in the chair across from me, placing the sheet of staff
paper directly on top of my work. I moved it. He moved it back.
    I saw Papa hold a map between himself and Mama. He pointed
to a city. "I would like to winter in Paris the first year."
    The first year?
    "Why Paris?" Mama asked.
    "Because there will be plenty of money to be earned there.
Travel is easier in the warm months, but during that time much of
the nobility leave for their summer palaces, wreaking havoc on concert life. So we must plan to be in town when they are."
    Mama lifted a list from her lap. "And I've made a listing of the
special days of celebration at all the courts. Our patrons tend to be
more generous at such times."
    Papa smiled. "Especially if we can perform on their name day."
    Mama pointed to the list. Apparently, she'd already noted such
things. My name day was coming up soon. Actually, since Mama
and I shared the given names Maria and Anna, we also shared the
same day of celebration. St. Anne's day was July 26.
    Papa sat back and perused the map with a sigh. "It's imperative
we be organized."
    Mama put a hand on his arm. "You are nothing if not that, dear
one.
    They were a good pair and worked together well. I wanted to
have such a marriage someday. Perhaps after making a name for
myself as a musician.
    Wolfie kicked me under the table, then made a funny face.
    Traveling with Mama and Papa would be fun, but traveling with
my little brother-for over a year? I prayed God would give me
patience. A double dose.

     

e~271~ 5z-
    I had little concept of the depth and breadth of the details for our
trip, our Grand Tour of Europe. What I heard Papa and Mania say
about lodging, horses, routes, and venues was noted but neatly discarded with a certainty that someone was handling what needed to
be handled. Papa said adjustments would have to be made according
to weather, opportunity, and the cooperation-or noncooperation-of our concert patrons. Yet how did one plan for a trip that
would take years? Yes, years. For the "one year" I'd heard mentioned
had been extended to many. To think I would start the journey as a
child within a month of my twelfth birthday and wouldn't return
until I was a young woman.... It scared me, but there wasn't anything I could do about it. Papa knew best.
    Our Grand Tour began in June of 1763, with a trip to Munich.
    The carriage was heavy with luggage. We had a servant along to
help as a general domestic and hairdresser. His name was Sebastian
Winter. The driver and coachman would trade off when we stopped
for new horses and to rest, but Sebastian would stay with us for a
while. I was glad. He was a nice man who did animal imitations.
Wolfie liked his