Product Description

What was Mozart really like? Responsible? Fun-loving? Foul-mouthed? Sublime? Reading these sparkling new translations of more than 275 of Mozart?s letters and postscripts written over a span of almost 22 years, we learn in his own words that he was all of these and much more. Here is the composer at his most intimate and unguarded, expressing his feelings about life, love, music, and the world around him.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38616 in Books
• Published on: 2004-04-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Sunday Telegraph
'The miracle is that these letters were preserved . . . a splendid volume.'

BBC Music Magazine
'Should be on the shelves of every music-lover.'

Alfred Brendel
'No one interested in Mozart and in inspired letter-writing should miss this volume.'

Customer Reviews

An absolute must buy
I cannot recommend this book enough,for anyone who is interested in knowing the "human" source of all those wonderful Piano Concertos,Sonatas, and Masses. I have'nt even finished the book yet. But already i felt i had to write this reccomendation review so that others can get their hands on this. This edition of the book (it was previously in hardback and is now a hefty price) is a new paperback edition at a budget price. Well worth it for the 400 hundred odd pages you get. Even more worth it, when you consider what jewels are inside. Personal letters from the 1700's,from our favourite Mozart. The age of these personal letters is quite a staggering thing to ponder when you're reading them. Little has changed since then it seems. The same trials, sufferings,joys,worries,and downright mundane aspects of everyday life at times. Yes,this book really does brings Mozart to life and brings him closer to you than you could ever of imagined. You will feel you finally know him (to your amusement or horror), after reading the first 15 or so letters. As there is no preview of the contents here,i'll include just a little excerpt from one letter to give you an example of how fun this book is to read. I've enjoyed every page so far. What a treat.

"....We left Today Count Firmian's place to go home, and when we came to our street, we opened the door to our house, and what do you think happened? we went inside. Farewell my little lung. I kiss you, my liver, and remain at all times, my stomach,your unworthy brother Wolfgang , frater, please,please,dear Sister, something is biting me, come and scratch me".

What on earth was all that about? That was an excerpt of a letter from Mozart on tour with his father in Milan around the age of 19/20, to his Sister in Salzburg. It just gives an example of how wacky Mozart really was. The author of this book, has constructed it in chronological context so that it's telling a story. A development, a flowering of Mozart and his attitudes from the age of 13 till his last years. It even goes as far as remaining true to the spelling mistakes and grammar odditys that Mozart was known for, not having a formal education. Also, including all the crude uncensored sentences.

Many people look at the 1984 movie "Amadeus" and think the portrayal of Mozart in the movie, is sacreligious and an insult to such a genius. It is innacurate at times (certainly in terms of historical events in Mozart's life). But,to be honest the more and more you read the letters of Mozart, the more the portrayal of him in the movie, seems to fit reality quite well (even though it may over play the reckless side of him at times). As the book notes, Mozart never intended letters for publication, so we are snooping in one private conversations. It's the ultimate music lovers voyeurism. Mozart seemed to be as human as anyone else. Passionate,bored,sleepy,and furious at times. He also seems to be someone who was eternally wacky and full of love for his family,no matter what was happening.

I would be very very suprised if anyone would be turned off listening to Mozart's music after reading this. If they did, then they are not true appreciators of Mozart in my opinion. Observing his private life through his letters will make you understand Mozart and his music so much more. It removes the sanctimonious etheral glow from him,and shows him as just an ordinary guy who enjoyed his art, and worked damn hard indeed.

Priceless
A wonderful collection of private letters by Mozart to his closest family and friends. Superbly translated in this book, they paint the picture of a genius and what he was really like far more than other biographies of Mozart I have read.

Mozart spent much of his life either travelling or living estranged from his family, and remarkably a large proportion of his letters have survived intact. Consequently much of Mozart's fascinating and tragic adult life is documented at first hand in this wonderful collection of letters.

My only complaint is the fact that we are not given access to the letters to Mozart, chiefly from his father, only those from him to others. Sadly we are given only brief snippets of these letters by this book's author in between the translations of Wolfgang's notes. Although it would have lengthened the book, at least a few letters from his correspondents would have made the book perfect for me.

The sudden end to the letters when Mozart died underlined just how much the world lost when this brilliant musician was suddenly taken from his in his prime.

Unfettered access to an individual mind
Mozart was human - this is what you learn from this book. Although it's difficult to believe sometimes when you hear his music, he really was one of us. It's just great to get a glimpse of some of the person behind the works. Reading the letters of famous people gives you an insight that you can't get anywhere else, I've found. Knowing that you're reading their own words is something special; you can't get more personal than that.
I became absolutely absorbed in this after only reading a few pages. I enjoyed seeing the pleasure Mozart got out of simple language games. The boy and the man who created such beautiful things had the same foibles as we all do.
This book will show you sides to Mozart you probably never imagined existed. I am certainly no classical buff, but I know that this book has set me on the path to becoming a devout admirer of Mozart; and my life will be all the richer for it.