Mozart in Vienna 1781 - 1791

From Publishers Weekly: That there is still something lively and pertinent to say about Mozart after 200 years and hundreds of books is evident in this translation of a recent German study. Braunbehrens, a music historian and journalist, examines the Viennese social scene, the role that musicians, Jews and Freemasons played in the life of the city, the many apartments in which Mozart lived, how much he earned and how he spent it. His depiction of the character of Mozart's wife Constanze is fresh and sympathetic. He examines the manner of Mozart's death and the probable facts about his "pauper's funeral"; tracing their origins, he disproves or dispels some of the myths and legends surrounding the young genius. Braunbehrens focuses on Mozart the man, the son, husband and father; readers must turn elsewhere for a fuller discussion of his musical achievements. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From Library Journal: This is a detailed factual study of Mozart's last 11 years, placing the composer's life and works into their social, political, and artistic settings. In his discussion of the major personalities, Braunbehrens brings forth a dazzling array of new evidence that allows him to clean away the errors and romantic myths that have become a part of the Mozart legend over the past two centuries. And the sociological approach to the music brings a totally new dimension of understanding to Mozart's finest works, especially the operas. The writing is a bit dense and often argumentative but is well worth the effort for its fresh view of the subject. - Timothy J. McGee, Univ. of Toronto Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.