Product Description

Written by one of the world's outstanding music historians and critics, the late Alfred Einstein, this classic study of Mozart's character and works brings to light many new facts about his relationship with his family, his susceptibility to ambitious women, and his associations with musical contemporaries, as well as offering a penetrating analysis of his operas, piano music, chamber music, and symphonies.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #598380 in Books
• Published on: 1965-12-31
• Released on: 1965-12-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 512 pages

Review
"Not simply an illuminating and informative book but a lively and fascinating one....The clearest, most vivid, and most credible picture known to this reviewer of this most 'universal' of musical geniuses."--Roger Sessions, The New York Times Book Review

About the Author
The late Alfred Einstein was a reknowned music historian and critic.

Customer Reviews

One of the essentials in Mozartian scholarship.
One should be fairly familiar with the life of Mozart before embarking on this book. Full of technical insights, it gives the reader some idea of what was going on in the composer's mind. Chapters which talk about Mozart's compositional influences and the factors which helped cultivate his musical consciousness are particularly informative. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is rather familiar with the story of the man and wants to understand why he was so great.

A Delight for Mozart Lovers
Trans by Arthur Mendell and Nathan Broder. Three-quarters of Einstein's book is given over to a discussion of the works in layman's terms. Einstein had the knack of being able to write for the masses yet keep the attention of the musical scholar. I see it as one of the classics on Mozart's works for everyman. His biographical secion at the beginning is charming as well. Overall, a delightful treat for Mozart lovers, a MUST read. He opens his text with "There is a strange kind of human being in whom there is an eternal struggle between body and soul, animal and god, for dominance." You know you are in for a good time.

Essential, but slanted.
For anyone seriously interested in the life and work of Mozart, this is a must read. One must keep in mind, though, that the author is wandering out, lost, in left field sometimes when attempting to capture a real human: a slightly mythic presentation still.