Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: A Biography

After reading Piero Melograni's biography of Mozart, I am left with the impression that ultimately we don't know much about the man who created some of the world's most beautiful music. We know things based on his letters to family and friends and on his catalog of music, the things he left behind. What we don't have a lot of, sadly, is eyewitness testimony, probably because Mozart was the most underrated and underappreciated artist in history both during his life and for many years after his death--in other words, a semi-famous composer no one thought was particularly important. The result is that Melograni is able to piece together a flowing narrative of his work and travels, and attempt to find the character of his relationships with family and friends.Yet we are left with many holes and uncertainties. For example, we do not know for sure with whom Mozart had his first sexual encounter, however we are told that he probably--because of his infatuation with women--had many throughout his life. But since there is no real evidence of this, it is also possible (though unlikely) his wife Constanze was his one and only. We also do not know Mozart's feelings for his father and sister. Did he despise them? Did he truly love them deeply as he attests in his letters? Did he resent his father for making him a child star? For sure, we cannot say. And what about his wife and children? What was it like having Wolfgang for a husband or a father? And his work--did he love music or was it something he felt he just had to do to make a living? What was his writing process like? What inspired him as he was putting it all together?The bulk of this book has to do with Mozart's anxiety about making a living--indeed it was almost the only thing he wrote about in his letters. His father was obsessed with money and success, forever in fear of losing it all. As a result Mozart grows trying to convince himself and those around him that he was a good composer, not so much because of the music but rather because of the reception to it, which in comparison to his popularity today, was nothing. It should sadden us I think, because we know that he was capable of incredible beauty but we don't know the story behind it. Much of his music was light and fun, and some of it was dark and tragic. Were these works a reflection of the man himself, or a result of a robotic desire to please his father and by extension, nearly everyone he came in contact with? Did Mozart truly relish the power of his symphonies and the joy of his sonnatas or the passion of his operas as we do?I prefer to think that he did, although it is hard for us to know for sure. This book has taught me that the greatest source for knowing this man would be, of course, the music itself, and that while certain facts are known, much shall remain mysterious.

This is a VERY worthwhile book to read if you want to understand Mozart's life but it's not an easy one. Among its strengths are (1) it was written more recently (2003 and translated in 2007) than many books about Mozart; (2) the author, Piero Melograni, has read many/all?previously written Mozart biographies and comments on their authors' views when there are differing or supporting opinions than his, what they are, and why he agrees or doesn't; (3) he has read all the zillions of surviving letters between Wolfgang and his father, mother, sister, wife, as well as some significant others and very helpfully quotes relative portions which give (IMO) the reader a rounded perception of Mozart's pressures, motivations, reactions, etc.; (4) several times he mentions Milos Forman's 1994 movie "Amadeus" and notes where there are differences from reality in that film. I found this book to not be a quick read -- at times its style reminded me of some university graduate school texts. Some of that may be due to my not being a musician familiar with the various movements of Mozart's music (musicians of his music will love it). My lack of knowledge of the Austrian church/state governing structures (Prince-Archbishops had great powers) during this era forced me to consult Wikipedia several times; the book assumes that prior knowledge. Despite those quibbles, I felt this book gave me (and will give most readers) an excellent view of Mozart's life and personality as well as that of significant people around him.

While reading one day, I put on a Mozart CD only to find that I was constantly distracted by the music. Why distracted? Because not only did I like it, but this is certainly not background music. This is music that is meant to be listened to and appreciated. After listening to more works by this musical genius, I looked for and found Piero Melograni's biography on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Except for some liner notes that I have read on Mozart and of course the movie version of Mozart (which as usual, hollywood gets wrong), I wanted to find a book that had the right balance in terms of both his personal as well as his professional life. Melograni offers such a book. If like me, you are reading your first book on Mozart, this is an excellent introduction to the man and his music.What I found most intriquing about Mozart was his transformation from child prodigy to a mature and musical genius in his adult years. And what was equally impressive was the long hours and days he laboured at writing down his music. As incredible as it may seem, most of the time the music was already written. He just needed to put it down on paper. Unfortunately, records back then are few, as one reviewer pointed out, so to get a real depiction of Mozart is downright impossible. His complex relationships with his father Leopold, his sister Nannerl and his wife Constanze, are echoed in his letters to his family. Unfortunately, many of the letters have been either lost or destroyed.In the end though, it is Mozart's music that matters. Listen to symphonies 25, 29, 35, 39, 40 and 41. Listen to piano concertos 22, 23 and 24. If you are not moved by these works alone, you are not human. Mozart put his volume of music down on paper for all of us to enjoy. And that is what matters most.

Wonderful! I really love being able to acquire, used books. Itallows me to read so much easier, and things I really want.I do buy new books also, but Ijust can't afford them as much, anymore. Thank you.

I enjoyed this book but at times it was a bit too analytical. I preferred John Suchet's style of writing in his biography about Beethoven. Perhaps the information is limited, but I would have liked to have found out more about Mozart the person than Mozart the composer. I'd still recommend this book just not enough to give it a "5"

Bought as a Christmas present, very good reading, good detailed chapters. Amazing story, unbelievable discoveries. It has everything, that one good biography must have.

First class thanks