Mozart did it beforehand?

This is TM's writing added in the notes on "In The Mirror." 

Mozart did it beforehand?

(TM added in March 2025:)

Just yesterday, I was explaining the concept and structure of this piece ("In The Mirror") to a friend of mine, a professional cellist. She seemed amazed by it, but at the same time, she suddenly said, "Ah!" -- then paused and searched for something in her bag.

She then pulled out a copy of a notation book and showed me a one-page piece as in this photograph.

As you can see, the title is Canon inversus, composed for two cellos by Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART. “Oh dear, he did it before me!!” I thought.

Can you see the inverted title at the bottom of the page? One cellist plays it from beginning to end, while the other plays it in reverse -- with the page turned upside down.

It’s Mozart’s genius at play, isn’t it? His playful spirit realised this magic not only musically but also visually.

I thought, “I lost, Wolfgang!”

But… there’s one thing I’d like to say in my defence. Canon inversus is very short and written for a simple ensemble.

Also, the phrases (whichever direction) are not actually symmetrical. The piece is undoubtedly incredible, but the point is NOT that it’s symmetrical -- rather, that the other part is written inversely. Or, in other words, it’s remarkable that the two parts are presented on a single staff (stave) and form a canon.

Anyway, I was totally amazed.