What Einstein appreciated in Mozart and Bach was the clear architectural structure that made their music seem deterministic and, like his own favorite scientific theories, plucked from the universe rather than composed. Beethoven created his music, Einstein once said, but Mozart's music is so pure it seems to have been ever-present in the universe. He contrasted Beethoven with Bach: I feel uncomfortable listening to Beethoven. I think he is too personal, almost naked. Give me Bach, rather, and then more Bach.
Einstein had a profound appreciation for the music of Mozart and Bach, admiring the clear architectural structures within their compositions. He felt that their music possessed a deterministic quality, aligning with his belief that his own scientific theories emerged from the universe rather than being mere artifacts of human creativity. In contrast to Beethoven, whom he regarded as overly personal, Einstein found Mozart’s works to be so pure that they seemed to exist eternally in the cosmos.
Moreover, Einstein expressed discomfort when listening to Beethoven, suggesting that the composer’s intimate style made him feel exposed. He preferred the music of Bach, stating a longing for more of it, indicating a preference for the intricate and timeless nature of Bach's compositions over Beethoven's emotional expressiveness. This perspective highlights Einstein's desire for universality and objectivity in both science and art.
