Party Like It's 1779...in Vienna...

Today is the 255th anniversary of the birth of the great Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart! Better known, of course, as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Cheers!

Here are some ways to celebrate:
-Have a pint of Stiegl- This Austrian beer has been brewed since 1492 in Mozart's birth city of Salzburg.


-Fry up some tasty....liver dumplings? Said to be one of Mozart's preferred culinary delights, check out the recipe here.

It always sounds like Constanze is calling him "Foofie"...

-Once you've had enough beer and fried food, break out the bawdy canons- Many were published with more "appropriate titles" and without words, but the originals were generally thought to be party songs written for friends. You'll find  such gems as "Leck mich im Arsch" (literally "Lick me in the arse"), which was changed to and published as "Let Us Be Glad!" 
Listen to it here- there's just something hilarious about such raunchy lyrics being sung so seriously. Also, enjoy the original text of the "Bona Nox" canon, which I came to know through my theory class and never suspected it was more than an innocent bedtime song. Listen to the Bona Nox canon here.


Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to watch Die Zauberflöte and play some piano sonatas. Or maybe I'm just going to watch Amadeus and listen to Phoenix. Don't judge, now.