"The Mozart Myth"

[feddera]

While I do think it's plausible (probable, even) that some of the things we think we know about the "great" composers of the past might be exaggerated, according to this guy:

https://www.redicecreations.com/radio/2009/03mar/RICR-090329.php

not only was the real-life Mozart not a genius, he didn't compose more than half a dozen original works. 

[birba]

Half  a dozen original compositions I would consider a "slight" exaggeration.  A lot of research has been done into this theory, and it is possible that Mozart did commission some works from others and put his name at the bottom. It wasn't such a farfetched practise at the time.  In fact, there's talk that he wrote music for others. I can't remember exact names now, but one in particular who wrote some things for him  was the organist composer in Venice at the time.  All of this hubbub and scandal really brings you nowhere, however.  There will always be speculation, doubts, etc. about certain music.  I, for one, feel the same spirit in most of his output. 

[richard black]

not only was the real-life Mozart not a genius

So who was? _Someone_ wrote Marriage of Figaro, the 20th piano concerto, the wind serenade, etc. etc. and it wasn't a jobsworth hack.

[gep]

Half  a dozen original compositions I would consider a "slight" exaggeration.  A lot of research has been done into this theory, and it is possible that Mozart did commission some works from others and put his name at the bottom. It wasn't such a farfetched practise at the time.  In fact, there's talk that he wrote music for others. I can't remember exact names now, but one in particular who wrote some things for him  was the organist composer in Venice at the time.  All of this hubbub and scandal really brings you nowhere, however.  There will always be speculation, doubts, etc. about certain music.  I, for one, feel the same spirit in most of his output. 

Mozart wrote some music for Michael Maydn when the latter was ill and couldn't finish the job on time, which was service to a friend I think. And there's the story about the Requiem, which was commisioned by a nobleman who wanted to present it as his own composition, of course.
For the rest, this sounds like the unkillable story that Shakespear did not write all those plays. (One story even claimed that not Shakespear did write those plays, but someone else who also was named Shakespear... )

not only was the real-life Mozart not a genius

Well, now you have made me go fetch a ladder to retrieve my eyebrows that have shot into the ceiling.
Lemme gess, the real Michelangelo was a rather mediocre stoneworker, Shakespear a hire-for-money scribbler, and Rembrandt was a not much of a painter?

gep