Mozart: A Life
by Maynard Solomon
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Book Summary Information
Author: Maynard SolomonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2006-01-01
ISBN: 0060883448
Number of pages: 656
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Book Reviews of Mozart: A Life
Book Review: Serious and thoughtful
Summary: 5 Stars
Although I give this book five stars, I recommend it only to certain readers. If you
--already love Mozart's music
--have read a certain amount of Mozart biography before (like liner notes on CDs)
--yearn to know more, and
--are willing to read patiently
then this is the book for you.
Solomon is a true scholar who has studied all of the old letters and documents with care. When he addresses aspects of Mozart's life that are encrusted with mythology (Did Mozart think he was writing his Requiem for himself? Was he vulgar? Did he almost starve?), he gives you a solid answer by including quotations from the original sources. In cases where the sources conflict, he lets you know this and doesn't try to pretend that the facts are known. Solomon is also quite unsentimental and doesn't let what we'd *like* to believe influence his presentation.
More controversially, Solomon thoroughly explores Mozart's thoughts, motivations, and relationships, along with those of his close relatives. This can be gripping. I am particularly taken with Solomon's portrayal of Mozart's father Leopold, a complex and difficult personality.
Occasionally, the psychologizing becomes too much for me. For instance, I'm not very enthusiastic about Solomon's idea that the substitution of "Adam" for "Amad?" on Mozart's marriage certificate was deliberate. But following Solomon out on these too-long limbs is a small price to pay when the book as a whole is so insightful.
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