The Mostly Mozart Guide to Mozart - Paperback

by Carl Vigeland (Author)

A fresh, accessible guide to Mozart's life and works

Over a period of roughly twenty years, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed more than 600 finished pieces of music. If you were the director of a major symphony orchestra, you could program only works by Mozart for an entire year-and still you would barely have scratched the surface of the composer's immense, and immensely moving, body of work.

The Mostly Mozart Guide to Mozart is an accessible, insightful, and entertaining resource for music lovers looking for a deeper understanding of the genius of Mozart. It combines a brief and revealing account of his life and times with a comprehensive survey of his major compositions. You'll also discover accounts of major performances, fascinating anecdotes about Mozart and his works, comments from artists past and present, and tips on what to listen for when you listen to Mozart. And, a selected discography will help you develop a fantastic collection of recordings by the finest modern musicians playing Mozart's greatest music.

Filled with insightful quotes from fellow composers, critics, and Mozart admirers, as well as informative illustrations, The Mostly Mozart Guide to Mozart answers all of your questions about this transcendent genius and his music, and probably some you never thought to ask.

Front Jacket

Mozart was a musical genius: an extraordinary prodigy who grew up to be an astounding virtuoso and the greatest composer of his era, perhaps of any era. While his symphonies, operas, and other compositions made him the toast of Europe, he was plagued by trials and died impoverished and far too young. Yet, more than two hundred years after Mozart's death, his music continues to in-spire and delight millions who marvel at his ability to illuminate our joys and sorrows, our loves and losses, in an immense body of work that is as immediate and complex as life itself.

The Mostly Mozart Guide to Mozart presents a concise biography of this profoundly influential composer, followed by an accessible and insightful survey of his most important works in each genre. It examines the major milestones in his life as well as the society in which he lived, learned, and practiced his art.

The Mozart you will meet in these pages was far more than the pampered dandy portrayed in the popular stage and film versions of Amadeus. He was inspired and driven to compose music relentlessly, whether fueled by the admiration of kings and nobles or begging friends for a little money. This tireless effort enabled him to complete more than 600 fully realized works of music in an impossibly short time. You'll also find out why his many critical and popular successes generated much envy, misunderstanding, and scorn from his contemporaries.

As you discover the enormous variety and volume of Mozart's orchestral, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral compositions, you'll learn why each major work is important and how it was received, and begin to understand how completely Mozart dominated the music scene of his day. You'll also learn what to listen for and find out about significant performances and artists associated with each piece. A selected discography will help you assemble an exquisite collection of Mozart recordings, and intriguing historical and contemporary quotes and illustrations will help you understand the composer's initial and ongoing impact on the world of music.

Complete with an introduction by Jane Moss, Lincoln Center's head of programming, and Mostly Mozart music director Louis Langrée, The Mostly Mozart Guide to Mozart is an indispensable resource for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of one of the most profound, prolific, and popular composers of all time.