Mozart: His Character, His Work (Galaxy Books) [Paperback]

Alfred Einstein (Author), Arthur Mendel (Translator), Nathan Broder (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1965 | Series: Galaxy Books (Book 162)

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.

Editorial Reviews

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Reprint edition (December 31, 1965)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195007328
• ISBN-13: 978-0195007329
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #592,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( M ) > Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the essentials in Mozartian scholarship., October 26, 1999

By 

Joseph C. Murray "Joseph C. Murray" (Jacksonville, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mozart: His Character, His Work (Galaxy Books) (Paperback)

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delight for Mozart Lovers, May 31, 2007

By 

David Adams (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart ;: His character, his work (Paperback)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Character and work described and analyzed, October 12, 2010

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mozart: His Character, His Work (Galaxy Books) (Paperback)

The first part of this book is dedicated to illuminating the character of Mozart. It opens with descriptions of Mozart's love of traveling and the fact that he was never really at home in any one place. It speaks about the role of Mozart's father Leopold and his understanding and cultivating of his genius son. Einstein is kinder to Leopold than other writers about Mozart and sees the pathos in his situation after his son broke free of him at the age of twenty- two. As Einstein sees it the overprotected genius Mozart was great only in his music, and was essentially mugged by everyday reality. The family of his wife, and especially Mozart's mother- in- law are seen as villains of the piece.
One of the most interesting sections of the work is a comparison made of the methods of composition of Mozart and Beethoven. Mozart could begin with a complex idea and have it organically develop to completion. Beethoven often began with a simple theme or idea and had to rework and rearrange various parts of the composition until he brought it to proper composition.
The second part of the book analyzes the musical work of Mozart. As Einstein sees him he was a 'traditionalist' who created works of perfection in the vocal and non- vocal modes in which he worked.
I believe this to be a very good book. I also know that those with a much deeper understanding of Classical Music than myself will get far more from it than I could.
By the way according to Einstein Mozart may have loved to travel but he paid no attention to the scenery, to nature and even to Art. He sat in his coach absorbed in the process of composition, in the world of his creation.