Described in Germany as the 'most thought-provoking' book of the bicentennial year, Georg Knepler's acclaimed study of Mozart is now available in paperback. The book explores Mozart's life and works from many new perspectives, providing fresh insights into his music and the tempestuous times through which he lived. Based on a close reading of the family correspondence and a careful consideration of Mozart's entire musical output, the book sheds new light on the composer's creative psyche, his political leanings, his relation to the thoughts and currents of the Enlightenment, and the underlying basis of his musical expression.

Describes the life of the eighteenth-century Austrian composer, a musical prodigy who learned to write music before he could write letters and grew up to become Imperial Court Composer to Emperor Joseph.

Born in Austria in 1756, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his first piece of music, a minuet, when he was just five years old! Soon after, he was performing for kings and emperors. Although he died at the young age of thirty-five, Mozart left a legacy of more than 600 works. This fascinating biography charts the musician's extraordinary career and personal life while painting a vivid cultural history of eighteenth-century Europe. Black-and-white illustrations on every spread explore such topics as the history of opera and the evolution of musical instruments. There is also a timeline and a bibliography. Illustrated by Carrie Robbins. Cover illustration by Nancy Harrison.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) was an extraordinarily prolific and seminal composer during the Classical era. He displayed astonishing musical ability from a very early age, composing and playing competently when just five years old. During his lifetime, Mozart composed over 600 original works, many of which are considered to be the apex of symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic, and choral music. Featuring large, clear note heads and wide margins, this edition is perfect for studying and following the music, and is not to be missed by collectors. Classic Music Collection constitutes an extensive library of the most well-known and universally-enjoyed works of classical music ever composed, reproduced from authoritative editions for the enjoyment of musicians and music students the world over.

The letters of one of the world’s greatest composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—seen variously as a child prodigy, musical genius, tragic Romantic artist, and cultural icon—is among the most written-about of all composers. This fascinating set of his letters offers a new understanding of his life story—his marriage, compositions, performances, occasional money worries, opinions of fellow musicians, and complex relationship with his father—and a revealing portrait of both the man and the musician.

Publisher description

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) was an extraordinarily prolific and seminal composer during the Classical era. He displayed astonishing musical ability from a very early age, composing and playing competently when just five years old. During his lifetime, Mozart composed over 600 original works, many of which are considered to be the apex of symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic, and choral music. Featuring large, clear note heads and wide margins, this edition is perfect for studying and following the music, and is not to be missed by collectors. Classic Music Collection constitutes an extensive library of the most well-known and universally-enjoyed works of classical music ever composed, reproduced from authoritative editions for the enjoyment of musicians and music students the world over.