#ThrowbackThursday – 5 December
It’s 5 December, and that means it’s time for another edition of Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re taking a look back at three prominent events that went down on this day in history:
1791 – A Requiem for Mozart
Throughout his 35 years, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the quintessential child prodigy who evolved into the rock star of his era.
Born in Salzburg, Austria in 1756, Mozart displayed exceptional musical talent from a very young age. His father, Leopold, a composer and experienced musician, recognised his son’s abilities early on and began teaching him music. By the age of five, Mozart – learned on the clavier, harpsichord and violin – was already composing his own pieces and performing for European royalty.
His childhood works included symphonies, operas and chamber music, showcasing a precocious understanding of musical form and structure. What’s more, his ability to improvise, his incredible memory and his charming stage presence further endeared him to audiences, making him a sensation across the continent.
In his teenage years, Mozart began to break away from his father’s influence and sought to establish his own identity as a composer. He took on various positions, including court musician in Salzburg, but he often felt stifled by the constraints of court life. This desire for independence encouraged his move to Vienna in 1781, where he found greater freedom to compose and perform.
Here in the capital city, Mozart’s career flourished. He became well-known for his operas, including “The Abduction from the Seraglio”, “The Marriage of Figaro”, “Don Giovanni” and “The Magic Flute”, which are now considered masterpieces of the operatic repertoire. His music was characterised by its emotional depth, innovative harmonies and intricate melodies, which resonated with audiences of the time (and continue to do so today).
Despite his success, Mozart faced financial difficulties throughout his life, often living beyond his means. Although he had a wife and children to support, he struggled to secure stable patronage, which was common for many composers of the era. Nevertheless, he produced an astonishing number of works, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music and sacred music, many of which are still performed regularly.
On 5 December 1791, Mozart’s life was cut short when he died at the age of 35, just weeks after the premiere of his final opera, “The Magic Flute”. There exist many stories and rumours regarding the nature of his death, including theories of poisoning or illness. Nevertheless, the exact cause remains a matter of speculation.
Adding fuel to the fire is that he had also been working on a commissioned requiem – the now-famed “Requiem in D minor, K. 626” – at the time of his passing.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his death, Mozart undeniably created a legacy that would impact countless composers and shape the future of Western classical music.
1872 – Ghost(ed) Ship
The “Mary Celeste”, an American brigantine found abandoned in 1872, has virtually become a maritime legend steeped in mystery.
On 7 November 1872, the “Mary Celeste” set sail from New York City, New York with a cargo of over 1 700 barrels of alcohol destined for Genoa, Italy. Among its ten crew members were Captain Benjamin Spooner Briggs, his wife and their two-year-old-daughter.
According to the last entry in the captain’s log (dated 25 November), they encountered severe storms as they neared the Azores of Portugal.
Ten days later, on 5 December, the British brig “Dei Gratia” came upon the ship adrift in the Atlantic Ocean, about 740 kilometres from the Azores. To the crew’s surprise, it was completely deserted. Captain Briggs, his wife, daughter and crew had seemingly vanished.
Perplexingly, all their personal belongings were left intact. Over one metre of water was found in the hold, deepening the mystery of its abandonment.
Despite numerous theories surrounding mutiny, murder and piracy, there was no evidence to back these claims; speculation regarding an alcohol-related explosion was also discredited. Additionally, the lack of violence and the missing cargo made many of these theories appear improbable.
A more plausible explanation suggests Captain Briggs may have misjudged the ship’s condition, believing that it was sinking. Evidence such as a used sounding rod and a malfunctioning pump supports this theory. An urgent evacuation could have been prompted by a miscalculation, potentially leading to a tragic accident during the longboat launch.
Despite its notorious reputation, the “Mary Celeste” remained in service for years until it was ultimately left damaged beyond repair in 1885, a haunting reminder of its enigmatic past.
2017 – BTS: Twitter/X’s Trailblazers
Before Taylor Swift hit her stride in the early 2020s, BTS were the most-talked about musicians in recent years (don’t fret, Army members, they’re still loved!).
Established in 2013, the seven-member boy band gained significant popularity in their native South Korea. By 2017, they had become global favourites in the mainstream music scene, so much so they dominated the charts with hits such as “MIC Drop”, “DNA” and “Spring Day”.
BTS also consistently topped Twitter/X trends lists daily: one couldn’t go a day without seeing hashtags like “#BTS” and “BTSArmy” appearing atop these lists, usually accompanied by any of the members’ names.
On 5 December 2017, the social media platform announced that BTS was the most tweeted-about celebrity of the year, both in the United States of America and worldwide. They beat out the likes of music artists Nicki Minaj and Harry Styles, as well as fellow Korean music group, SEVENTEEN.
As of 2024, BTS is on hiatus, as some members are fulfilling military conscription duties. However, many of them have been active by releasing solo projects. We can only imagine the excitement when they reunite to create albums together – Twitter/X will surely explode!
