Listen to a translation of Wolfgang’s entry in his sister Nannerl’s diary, written in the 1770s, read by actor Christopher Inman.
Maria Anna “Nannerl” Mozart kept a diary from 1775 to 1783. While still living at home in Salzburg, her brother Wolfgang occasionally added his own notes to its pages, filled with the events of his days sprinkled with witty observations, sometimes obscure word play, and scatological humor. Mozart also added a small caricature of Therese Pänklin, a versatile servant employed by the family after their move to the more spacious apartment in the Dancing Master's House (Tanzmeisterhaus) (now the Mozarteum’s Mozart Residence museum). It may seem surprising that Leopold Mozart, on his modest salary as deputy Kapellmeister at the Salzburg court, could afford domestic staff. Yet even before Wolfgang’s birth, Leopold employed a maid to assist his wife with household duties, and throughout the family’s years in Salzburg—until Leopold’s death in 1787—the Mozarts retained two servants. During the family’s Grand Tour of 1763–1766, they traveled with two uniformed attendants. Later, in Vienna during the 1780s, Mozart himself employed up to six servants, as well as music copyists, a piano tuner, and three piano movers.
WA Mozart (1756–1791)
Mozart’s Entries in his Sister’s Diary
Autograph manuscript
Salzburg, September 1780
International Mozarteum Foundation, BD 533, Shelf no.: DocNMT, L2026.98.25
The 13th …At 7 o’clock went for a walk in the garden at Mirabell as one goes for a walk in the
garden at Mirabell. Rainy, yet did not rain, and little by little – the heavens are smiling!
The 19th for shitting, my modest person, a donkey, a fracture, another donkey, and
finally a nose, to church. Left at home was Whistle-in-my-ass, Whistle-in-my-ass was not in
such good shape. In the afternoon Katherl to us. And also Herr Foxtail, whose ass I
afterwards docilely licked; Oh, an exquisite ass!
The 52nd Augustinians at went I church half past 6. To the Senior Mayr and the Equerrys. In
the Lodron to the afternoons. Us visited Fiala. At three all six of us went walking, walked,
waulked, wolked, walkified. It day a fine was.
The 3rd …Papa went out to Mirabell to tune keyboards. My sister drove out with Sepherl
Gilowsky in the Noble Pages’ coach. We played the concerto for 2 keyboards in F and the
Sonata in D for 4 hands, and I played two sonatas by Cambini prima vista. Rained the whole
day.
The 7th heard Mass in Reichenhall. In the afternoon drove back to Salzburg at 3 o’clock.
Brought [Mademoiselle] Marie Anna Hieber, daughter of the customs officer, back here with us.
Two charming days. Fa la la.