Happy birthday, Wolfie

Today is, or would have been, Mozart's 250th birthday. The classical music world is going nuts. Me? Well, I'm excited because I get to go see a world class performance of some of his work and because I get to partake in a lavish dinner beforehand. And though I know next to nothing about classical music, my favorite piece by far is Mozart's Requiem.

But to be honest, the whole event seems a bit arbitrary. I mean, no way, even if his genes for longevity were of the caliber of his genes for musical ability, would he have actually lived halfway to the age of 250. So why do we celebrate the anniversary of his birth, the day he did nothing but pop out of his mom and start wailing, instead of the anniversary of his first performance or of his completion of a particularly amazing composition?

Obviously, these questions have but one answer. Anything we could celebrate would be completely arbitrary and have no real meaning in the great scheme of things. But why turn down a chance to get dressed up, enjoy some beautiful music, eat cake, and drink champagne afterward? Who cares how you justify it?

p.s. I do find it a bit bizarre, however, how WFMT, Chicago's classical music station, seems to be covering the "event" in Salzburg as if it's late-breaking news. I have a feeling it's kind of a freak show there right now, what with the "pilgrims" flocking to the city and crying in the concert halls.