Mozart's cursing blamed on mental illness

LONDON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A British documentary about Amadeus Wolfgang Mozart claims the composer couldn't help blurting out obscenities because he suffered from Tourette's Syndrome.

The Channel 4 program portrayed the famous Austrian composer as a foul-mouthed cad, but blamed the dysfunction on a mental disorder, Britain's Sun reported Wednesday.

"There's a very rare condition in Tourette's called coprographia -- the need to write down filth. We Touretters have filthy minds," said James McConnel, a British composer who also suffers from Tourette's.

Mozart, at 26, reportedly wrote a beautiful composition, but added vulgar lyrics.

McConnel said the 18th century musician's songs and lyrics suggest Mozart suffered from Tourette's until he died in 1792.