Is It Possible for a Modern Composer to Write Like Mozart?

Of course, one can consciously imitate the style of a given composer, such as Beethoven, Brian Eno, and beyond. This is not just a conceptual exercise; it is a valuable academic pursuit. To do it convincingly and artfully—whether in parody or in earnest—requires a significant amount of skill and specialized knowledge. YouTube features numerous young composers engaging in this activity, with varying degrees of success. Some turn out to be clumsy imitators, while others showcase remarkable proficiency.

Insight into Composers' Minds

Another reason to engage in this form of mimicry is to gain valuable insights into the minds of these artists, helping to understand what makes them unique. By attempting to write music in the style of Mozart, one can discover something special about his craft. It is not easy to be Amadeus. Many missteps can instantly reveal that one is a second-rate imitator. It is quickly apparent that the music is not as facile and free as it may sometimes sound.

Mropicity in Musical Communication

Mimicry is essential and indispensable to musical communication. When targeted and focused, it can serve as a suitable and fruitful activity for students of composition. Perhaps some elements of Mozart's or Beethoven's style may eventually find their way into one's own compositions, ultimately contributing to one's unique voice. In fact, if you study their music closely, some osmotic influence is almost inevitable, no matter how subtle it may be.

Inherent Value in Imitation

Jazz players often imitate the improvisatory gestures and structures of other jazz musicians, and producers frequently riff on long-established beats and grooves. These practices are essential in passing down the aural tradition. However, consciously recreating another composer's style as a vehicle for one's own genuine exposition is more about self-development rather than being particularly interesting to most listeners. In fact, it can be a bit creepy.

The Value of Moving Forward

It would be far wiser if a composer who desired to write like Beethoven were to write the Tenth Symphony themselves rather than spending time and energy on a futile attempt. Since Beethoven did not write the Tenth, we can study and learn from his existing nine symphonies and then move on. Other creators can teach us a great deal about how to say things effectively. Familiarity and intelligibility are not aesthetic sins. Where we often go off course is in trying to redo the past simply for its own sake.