Drama on 3: "Amadeus"

[Stanley Stewart]

I am pleased to see that Peter Hall's production of Peter Shaffer's, "Amadeus", broadcast in 1983, is to be repeated on Drama on 3. 17.45-20.00 hrs, on Sunday, 2 Jan, with the original RNT 1979 cast: Paul Scofield (Salieri), Simon Callow (Mozart), Felicity Kendall (Constance Mozart), John Normington (Joseph II) and Basil Henson (Johann Killan Von Strack). The plays veracity caused a furore fuelled by James Fenton in the Sunday Times and even the usually reticent Dame Janet Baker came to the rescue of Hall's production and the genius of Mozart.

I remember that the production was beautiful to see and Paul Scofield was mesmeric as he described the sheer awe and jealously which engulfed him when listening to the music of Mozart, indeed even fainting in a fit of ecstacy. His eventual declaration of war on God was also in the same high definition vein.

The rest of the evening consists of performances or features on Mozart. In particular, I want to listen to the Sunday Feature: Desperately Seeking Mozart, 21.30-22.30 hrs, in which Paul Robertson sets out in search of the real Mozart, speaking to academics who have dedicated their life's work to dismantling the myths.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I too look forward to this. Simon Callow was the orginal Mozart, but played a different part in the film version.

[Stanley Stewart]

Indeed, EA, Tom Hulce played Mozart in the film with F Murray Abraham as Salieri. Simon Callow eventually played a minor role and the machinations therein are tartly articulated in Callow's 'alternative biography', My Life in Pieces, published a few months ago. Alternative in the sense that he reproduces already published material with linking material. A damned good read and I will always be grateful to him for a brilliant analysis on the differences in technique between Stanislavsky - the codification of ideas in performance - and that of Michael Chekhov,

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Apparently, Tom Hulce spent months learning to play the piano, so that he would look "real" on the film, actually learning to play two Mozart Piano Concertos and performing Mozart's upside down "penalty" at the party.

[french frank]

Apparently, Tom Hulce spent months learning to play the piano, [...] actually learning to play two Mozart Piano Concertos ...

I think the only response to that is ...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I thought is was quite impressive - far better than that grotesque attempt at fake cello playing in "Hilary and Jacky".

I've set the recorder for this evening's broadcast. I'm ashamed to say, I'll be listening to the 60th anniversary edition of The Archers, having been persuaded to do so on a Radio 3 "plug".

[french frank]

I'm ashamed to say

And quite right too! As a point of principle, you could record The Archers! (I only say 'you could' not 'you should' since, of course, it is your decision. But you did say you were ashamed )

Edit: 10 minutes to go ... Enormous gas leak, and the farm will blow up along with lots of Archers celebrating New Year. Perhaps

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Well, I did listen to much of Amadeus, with the rest safely on the hard disc. The Archers 60th anniversary episode was so predictable - a rehash of the demise of Grace Archer - that I wished I'd listened to "Amadeus" at one sitting.

Being so familiar with the film, it took some adjusting to hear almost every character speaking Queen's English. In the film, even Simon Callow had a fake American accent.

[Belgrove]

I recall seeing this play at the National Theatre when it first opened in 1981 (I think) and it made a poor impression. Strangely enough I was impressed by the film, despite the jarring American accents – it had a visual flair and interest that was lacking in Peter Hall’s unmemorable staging. Listening on Sunday it is now clear to me why the stage version failed – Paul Schofield’s acting! I am a huge admirer of Schofield’s work, but his portrayal of Salieri was little more than that of a hammy pantomime villain.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Yes. F. Murray Abraham's portrayal of Salieri was perhaps the film's greatest strength. A surprising choice, in view of the tendency for American film villains to be the ones with the posh English accent. Think of the Disney villains!

[Idamante]

I must say I found the depiction of Mozart (in the film) as a sex mad retarded adolescent pretty hard to take. Creative geniuses can be obnoxious but is there any evidence Mozart was actually like that?

[french frank]

I must say I found the depiction of Mozart (in the film) as a sex mad retarded adolescent pretty hard to take. Creative geniuses can be obnoxious but is there any evidence Mozart was actually like that?

Catch up, if you can, with the feature Desperately Seeking Mozart.

[salymap]

Is the film Amadeus being shown during the 12 days fest? I saw it once years ago but would like to see it again.

[sigolene euphemia]

Is the film Amadeus being shown during the 12 days fest? I saw it once years ago but would like to see it again.

salymap,

Come on up and we will have Amadeus for you to view. I can't recall how many copies I bought since my child loved this film and watched it zillions of times, wearing out copies, that and Wallace and Gromit's three animation shorts, 'The Wrong Trousers', 'A Grand Day Out' [her favorite] and 'A Close Shave". We always have Jacobs crackers and Wensleydale,whenever we watch these short films. If we can locate it. And as for Amadeus, what do you think those towering confections are that Stanzi devours as she and Woofie chase in, round and under the table ? I was thinking about this the other day when I was peeling chestnuts for soup. Chestnuts? Castagnas? Marrons?

Off to sleep,
sigolene

[Chris Newman]

I much preferred the stage versions to the film. I missed Schofield but saw it with Frank Finlay in the Peter Hall production and Michael Kitchen at Salisbury. Finlay (Casanova and Hitler on TV) was superb. I do not believe Salieri did it but the records show that in one of his many delirious moments he said he did. Interesting that when John Mortimer, Michael Mansfield and other legal eagles explored the case in an improvised dramatisation at the Brighton Festival in 1983 a suggested verdict was given. I cannot remember how these percentages were reached but the Judge Mr Justice Michael Hutchinson gave these probable statistics for the cause of Mozart's death:
"The verdict was: death by natural causes 49%,

murder by Franz Hofdemel (whose wife Maria Magdalena was a piano pupil of Mozart whom Mozart was suspected of having an affair) 22%,

murder by Sussmayer 11%,

murder by Salieri 11%)."