PBS’ ‘Secrets of the Dead’ Delves Into a Lingering Mozart Mystery

Photo Credit: Maria Anna (Alyona Popova) & Wolfgang Mozart (Hugo Gilmovich) / Alina Gozin’a for Media Stockade

The upcoming episode of PBS’ ‘Secrets of the Dead’ asks whether Wolfgang Mozart really composed all of his music — or was it his sister?The upcoming episode of PBS’ series “Secrets of the Dead” delves into a musical mystery: Did Wolfgang Mozart really compose all of his music? Or did he get some help from his sister?

Maria Anna Mozart was a musical prodigy, just like her younger brother Wolfgang. Although the children toured Europe together, once Maria Anna came of age, she was left behind while her brother became a star. But controversial new evidence suggests she may have contributed to her brother’s earliest works, while a global search for her compositions continues.

Decide for yourself after watching “Mozart’s Sister,” next Wednesday, October 9, at 10/9 Central on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS app.
Even classical music enthusiasts rarely know Mozart wrote his first composition at just four years old, and was highly skilled at the clavier and violin by age five. Mozart’s composer and violinist father, Leopold, pushed his son to perform and travel from a young age, even at the extensive cost and detriment to both men’s health. Mozart continued to struggle with illness for the duration of his life.

Mozart was also a Freemason, having joined the secret organization in 1784. Some of his most popular works, including “The Magic Flute K.620” and cantata “Dir Seele des Weltalls, K.429,” were inspired by Masonic values.

Notably, despite the fame behind his name persisting to this day, Mozart was buried in a “common grave,” which referred to his commoner status; only the aristocracy was buried in marked graves. As a result, to this day, no one knows for certain where Mozart was buried.

Learn the untold story of Wolfgang and his older sister and collaborator, Maria Anna Mozart, a musical prodigy in her own right. Could she have helped write some of her famous brother’s earliest music? “Mozart’s Sister,” the latest episode of PBS’ “Secrets of the Dead,” airs next Wednesday, October 9.