Product Description

The letters of one of the world’s greatest composers

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—seen variously as a child prodigy, musical genius, tragic Romantic artist, and cultural icon—is among the most written-about of all composers. This fascinating set of his letters offers a new understanding of his life story—his marriage, compositions, performances, occasional money worries, opinions of fellow musicians, and complex relationship with his father—and a revealing portrait of both the man and the musician.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #404962 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780141441467
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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About the Author
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) is widely recognized as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music.

Cliff Eisen is general editor of the forthcoming Oxford Companion to Mozart.

Stewart Spencer is an authority on German literature and an editor of the journal of the Wagner Society.

Customer Reviews

A fascinating window into Mozart's world.
I must confess I'm still reading this wonderful compilation of correspondence; but I can confidently state that it vividly draws you into the daily lives of Mozart and his family. Ever wonder what day-to-day life was like in Mozart's time? There's no better way to experience it than to read these letters and their descriptions of the mundane and the extraordinary, the aggravations of travel, the rewards (monetary and otherwise) of performing for royalty, and all of the other details that would fascinate anyone who has ever wondered what Mozart's life was really like. Highly, highly recommended.

Couldn't put it down!
Who knew that a primary source would be so much better than any biography? This is a surprisingly fascinating and easy read. The translator does a fantastic job with the letters, even getting one of Mozart's silly poems to rhyme in English. You get the real story told from the point of view of the Mozarts themselves. You really feel bad for Leopold as his rather flighty son traipses around Europe running up debts.

Cons: I know the letters were voluminous, but I wish there were even more letters included here. Maybe they will come out with an unabridged edition. I know the footnotes were difficult to do, as the Mozarts drop tons of names, but I also wish there was more information included on some of the people referenced in the letters.

That said, I highly recommend this.