Eminent historian Paul Johnson dazzles with a rich, succinct portrait of Mozart and his music
As hes done in "Napoleon," "Churchill," "Jesus," and "Darwin," acclaimed historian and author Paul Johnson here offers a concise, illuminating biography of Mozart. Johnsons focus is on the music--Mozarts wondrous output of composition and his uncanny gift for instrumentation.
Liszt once said that Mozart composed more bars than a trained copyist could write in a lifetime. Mozarts gift and skill with instruments was also remarkable as he mastered all of them except the harp. For example, no sooner had the clarinet been invented and introduced than Mozart began playing and composing for it.
In addition to his many insights into Mozarts music, Johnson also challenges the many myths that have followed Mozart, including those about the composers health, wealth, religion, and relationships. Always engaging, Johnson offers readers and music lovers a superb examination of Mozart and his glorious music, which is still performed every day in concert halls and opera houses around the world.