Samuragoochi Fraud Unravels

Deaf symphonist Mamoru Samuragochi, whose Hiroshima work became anthem for tsunami survivors, has been exposed as a fraud.  He had claimed to be deaf, prompting some to hail him as the "Japanese Beethoven."  Earlier this month the deception unraveled; most of Samuragochi's compositions were apparently written by Takashi Niigaki, who also asserted that Samuragochi isn't even deaf.

Well and good, but is this actually anything new?  In all likelihood, Mozart wrote some compositions for wealthy patrons, who proceeded to pass off the scores as their own work (or at least tried to do so).  200-odd years later, far lesser talents apparently engage in the same practice.  As the French so correctly note, "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."  My sentiments about a suitable "front" are noted on JanusLiteraryAgency.com .