Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: A Biography (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Lydia G. Cochrane (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Italian historian Piero Melograni delivers a charming biography. Expertly grounded by the massive correspondence between Mozart and his highly complex family, Melograni's study benefits from its author's keen understanding of the changing social environments of the late eighteenth century." - Todd B. Sollis, Opera News "The idea that Mozart's achievements had nothing to do with self-discipline, hard work, knowledge or intellect is deeply embedded in the popular image of his genius, but Melograni... will have none of it, pointing out how hard Mozart worked on his music, even as a child, and suggesting that the 'eternal child' view was put about by... family members to emphasize Wolfgang's need for and dependence on them." - Sheila Fitzpatrick, London Review of Books "[The book] is absorbing as a filial psychodrama, depicting Mozart's slow emergence from the suffocating embrace of his father, Leopold, the quintessential stage parent." - New York Times Book Review "This is one of the most engaging, vivid and well-written biographies of Mozart around. As befits the work of an admired historian, the sense of time and place is wonderfully alive and the elusive personality of his subject is captured with sympathy and genuine insight. He has an engrossing story to tell, he knows it, and he tells it better than most. As a portrait, the book is a triumphant success and deserves a wide readership." - Piano" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

"The book brings something new to the table and in fact suceeds brilliantly. . . . [Melograni] examines Mozart''s movement through various social and political strata of the late 18th century; his relationships with family memebrs, employers, and other musicians; and his efforts to forge a new kind of career. . . . The book can be read profitably by musicians and nonmusicians. Essential." (Choice )

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 316 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (October 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226519562
• ISBN-13: 978-0226519562
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #700,823 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good, Current Bio of the Man and His Music, December 14, 2006

By	JAD (The Sunshine State) - See all my reviews

The world has just completed the 250th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; an anniversary that came overflowing with musical events to commemorate the eminent composer's life. Even so, it has been hard to discover, in one volume, an adequate biography that provides the reader insights about the man as well as his music, until now.

This biography by Piero Melograni serves the need very nicely, especially if the reader desires to read only one book about Mozart, or alternatively desires to read an introductory biography that will serve as the starting point to more in-depth Mozart studies.

Mozart's melodic output is so vast that any one volume would be insufficient to provide the reader with an analysis of the composer's musical gifts and accomplishments. Nonetheless, this biography places the compositions in the context of Mozart's life and times, and offers some good, brief analysis of a number of those compositions. Also, handy for any listener, Melograni includes a list of the cited works of Mozart by Kochel Number--allowing one the option of reading the biography slowly, and listening to the works as they are discussed.

The biography deals very skillfully with Mozart's complex relationship with his family members--most especially the influence of Mozart's father Leopold. We are familiar with the concept of a stage-mother from the world of Broadway and Hollywood--never was there a more unrivaled example of a stage-father than Leopold Mozart. Melograni treats this reality fairly and compellingly as we see Mozart progress from a child prodigy to a young man with musical genius looking for the proper outlets, to a mature composer of greatness, and watch as he goes further and further from Leopold's orbit. Mozart's sometimes cooperative and sometimes competitive relationship with his sister Nannerl is also examined thoroughly. In addition, Melograni shows us Mozart's interrelationship with his contemporaries in the world of music, both performers and composers. Quite aware of the impact of such popular works as the film "Amadeus", the author comments upon and corrects impressions they give.

The stories about Mozart are many, and some of the most familiar anecdotes are included in this book, such as the youthful encounter with the Princess Marie Antoinette. This reader, however, would have been pleased to find many more stories that flesh out Mozart's character. Even so, this is a fine life of Mozart, beautifully translated from the Italian by Lydia G. Cochrane.

If you find this review helpful you might want to read some of my other reviews, including those on subjects ranging from biography to architecture, as well as religion and fiction.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete, authoritative work., December 20, 2006

By	J. Geske (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I agree with the other reviewer in all aspects. No one book can completely encompass Mozart and his works, but this did a very good job of looking at Mozart and his life through an independent and objective prism.

It is a dense book in terms of facts and dates and settings, but it reads fast and the constant references to Kochel numbers is not too distracting. Overall, the narrative is informative and filled with stories that keep the story exactly that - a story of the life of Mozart.

After reading this book, I think that the reader would have a wide grasp of Mozart's life, and perhaps even some of the European historical events taking place around him (particularly in reference to Joseph II). The only minor drawback is the lack of analysis of his famous operas (towards the end). Yes, there are rather brief summaries and explanations, but when Soren Kirkegaard (according to Melograni) labels Don Giovanni the "best piece of art ever created", then I think the opera should garner more than 3 short pages devoted to it. Just a thought.

But overall, five stars, for sure.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, recommended with reservation, August 14, 2007

By	AWU2 "Alan U." (New York, NY & Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

I quite enjoyed this book when looking at it strictly from an informational standpoint and in terms of satisfying my curiosity.

I must admit though that the book was somewhat dry. I feel as though this may be an example where an otherwise great book gets "lost in translation".

You will learn an awful lot about Mozart, but in my opinion, it may take you a bit longer than expected and you may drift at times, despite the fascinating details held within.