Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - what was his nationality at the time of his birth?

[hislegacy]

It is just a question of interest!

And it is NOT a "stupid" question.

Just let me ask it.

Who said it was ac”stupid” question.

Ask away.

 

[Red Gold]

OK!

 

[Pioneer3mm]

I voted.
---
Symphony 40 (Mozart)..
- my favorite.

 

[Red Gold]

4 of 7 say:

a citizen of the Holy Roman Empire (Heiliges Römisches Reich der Deutschen Nation)​

 

[Red Gold]

I voted.
---
Symphony 40 (Mozart)..
- my favorite.

Good!

 

[Bob Crowley]

There's a Wikipedia article here on Mozart's Nationality.

Nationality of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Mozart was born in Salzburg,[3] which was then the capital of the Prince-Archbishopric of Salzburg, a small, essentially sovereign state.[4][5] Thus in one sense Mozart's nationality could be said to be "Salzburgian",[6] though English-language biographers do not generally use this term to designate his nationality.[7][8]​

It's a bit pointless asking what nationality Mozart was in one sense since the land borders then are vastly different from what they are now.

At the time he might have answered "Salzburgian". He would most likely not have called himself Austrian but he would have spoken German like most people around him. Austrians and Germans both speak German today, but there are, as in most European countries, different dialects.

In sum, "Austria" in Mozart's time could mean (in increasing order of size), the Archduchy of Austria, the Austrian Circle, and the Habsburg-ruled lands. None of these included Salzburg.

But since Salzburg is now part of Austria, I suppose they claim him as one of their own.

 

[Red Gold]

There are lots of reasons to say that Mozart was and is and forever will be: German

 

[GodLovesCats]

Red Gold, you have a primate message from me.

 

[GodLovesCats]

There are lots of reasons to say that Mozart was and is and forever will be: German

The only thing that matters is what the territory he was born in was called at the time of his birth when discussing where he was born and what the territory where he died was called at the time of his death.

He will not be German forever. When Jesus returns, all nations will cease to exist. We will all be united as one group of people.

 

[Red Gold]

The only thing that matters is what the territory he was born in was called at the time of his birth

It was called Salzburg, and it was not part of Austria at that time.

And even if it had been, Mozart would still be German.

Austria was as German then as Bavaria today still is.

 

[Red Gold]

a citizen of the Holy Roman Empire (Heiliges Römisches Reich der Deutschen Nation)​

a citizen of the Holy Roman Empire (Heiliges Römisches Reich der Deutschen Nation)​

This is also a correct answer.
And no contradition to "Germany" as an answer.

The Holy Roman Empire had German parts an not German parts.
Mozart was born in a German part of that Empire.

 

[Red Gold]

More info:

For administrative purposes, the Holy Roman Empire was divided into "circles".[16] The Austrian Circle included the original Archduchy of Austria, as well as a number of other areas now part of modern Austria.[16] Salzburg was not included; it was part of the Bavarian Circle.[16]

In sum, "Austria" in Mozart's time could mean (in increasing order of size), the Archduchy of Austria, the Austrian Circle, and the Habsburg-ruled lands. None of these included Salzburg.

Nationality of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Red Gold]

Red Gold, you have a primate message from me.

I have seen it now - and answered to it.

 

[Red Gold]

What Wiki says ...

The two main labels that have been used to describe the nationality of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are "Austrian" and "German".[1] However, in Mozart's own life, those terms were used differently from the way they are used today, because the modern nation states of Austria and Germany did not yet exist.[2] Any decision to label Mozart as "Austrian" or "German" (or neither) involves political boundaries, history, language, culture, and Mozart's own views. Editors of modern encyclopedias and other reference sources differ in how they assign a nationality to Mozart (if any) in light of conflicting criteria.

Nationality of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Red Gold]

Red Gold, you have a primate message from me.

Did you get my answer?

Seems I cannot send a message to you again ....

 

[hislegacy]

He was born in what is modern Austria. It was part of the Holy Roman Empire at the time of his birth.

What difference does it make? What is the importance of the nationality of someone dead for centuries? What is the importance in him being recognized a particular nationality?

 

[Red Gold]

What difference does it make? What is the importance of the nationality of someone dead for centuries? What is the importance in him being recognized a particular nationality?

For me such things are in fact interesting.
As a talk, not as a quarrel.
Sorry, if you cannot see it that way.

I am not the only person who talks about this in Europe.
Sorry .....

 

[Red Gold]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nationality of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Wikipedia <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

As you see, one can talk about this topic really seriously

 

[hislegacy]

For me such things are in fact interesting.
As a talk, not as a quarrel.
Sorry, if you cannot see it that way.

I am not the only person who talks about this in Europe.
Sorry .....

Thank you for your reply - that explains it.

I'll keep my vote as Austrian.

 

[Red Gold]

4 of 9 now say:

Salzburgian​