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Sunday Telegraph
BBC Music Magazine
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Customer Reviews
"....We left Today Count Firmian's place to go home, and when we came to our street, we opened the door to our house, and what do you think happened? we went inside. Farewell my little lung. I kiss you, my liver, and remain at all times, my stomach,your unworthy brother Wolfgang , frater, please,please,dear Sister, something is biting me, come and scratch me".
What on earth was all that about? That was an excerpt of a letter from Mozart on tour with his father in Milan around the age of 19/20, to his Sister in Salzburg. It just gives an example of how wacky Mozart really was. The author of this book, has constructed it in chronological context so that it's telling a story. A development, a flowering of Mozart and his attitudes from the age of 13 till his last years. It even goes as far as remaining true to the spelling mistakes and grammar odditys that Mozart was known for, not having a formal education. Also, including all the crude uncensored sentences.
Many people look at the 1984 movie "Amadeus" and think the portrayal of Mozart in the movie, is sacreligious and an insult to such a genius. It is innacurate at times (certainly in terms of historical events in Mozart's life). But,to be honest the more and more you read the letters of Mozart, the more the portrayal of him in the movie, seems to fit reality quite well (even though it may over play the reckless side of him at times). As the book notes, Mozart never intended letters for publication, so we are snooping in one private conversations. It's the ultimate music lovers voyeurism. Mozart seemed to be as human as anyone else. Passionate,bored,sleepy,and furious at times. He also seems to be someone who was eternally wacky and full of love for his family,no matter what was happening.
I would be very very suprised if anyone would be turned off listening to Mozart's music after reading this. If they did, then they are not true appreciators of Mozart in my opinion. Observing his private life through his letters will make you understand Mozart and his music so much more. It removes the sanctimonious etheral glow from him,and shows him as just an ordinary guy who enjoyed his art, and worked damn hard indeed.
Mozart spent much of his life either travelling or living estranged from his family, and remarkably a large proportion of his letters have survived intact. Consequently much of Mozart's fascinating and tragic adult life is documented at first hand in this wonderful collection of letters.
My only complaint is the fact that we are not given access to the letters to Mozart, chiefly from his father, only those from him to others. Sadly we are given only brief snippets of these letters by this book's author in between the translations of Wolfgang's notes. Although it would have lengthened the book, at least a few letters from his correspondents would have made the book perfect for me.
The sudden end to the letters when Mozart died underlined just how much the world lost when this brilliant musician was suddenly taken from his in his prime.
I became absolutely absorbed in this after only reading a few pages. I enjoyed seeing the pleasure Mozart got out of simple language games. The boy and the man who created such beautiful things had the same foibles as we all do.
This book will show you sides to Mozart you probably never imagined existed. I am certainly no classical buff, but I know that this book has set me on the path to becoming a devout admirer of Mozart; and my life will be all the richer for it.
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