Mozart
The Man Revealed
Published on 29. September 2016
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-1-78396-293-8 (ISBN)
Description
The story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's life is well known. Austrian-born to a tyrannical father who worked him - fiercely; unhappily married to a spendthrift woman; a child-like character ill at ease amid the aristocratic splendour of the Viennese court; a musical genius who died young thus depriving the world of future glories.
Yet only that last point is really true. In this comprehensive biography, John Suchet examines the many myths and misunderstandings surrounding the world's best-loved composer. From his early days as a child prodigy performing for the imperial royal family in Vienna to the last months of his short life, driven to exhaustion by a punitive workload, one thing remained constant: his happy disposition.
Through trials and tribulations, grand successes and disheartening setbacks, Suchet shows us the real Mozart - blessed with an abundance of talent yet sometimes struggling to earn a living. His mischievous nature and earthy sense of humour, his ease and confidence in his own incredible abilities; these were traits that never left him. His music has brought comfort to countless generations; his life, though brief, is no less fascinating.
Yet only that last point is really true. In this comprehensive biography, John Suchet examines the many myths and misunderstandings surrounding the world's best-loved composer. From his early days as a child prodigy performing for the imperial royal family in Vienna to the last months of his short life, driven to exhaustion by a punitive workload, one thing remained constant: his happy disposition.
Through trials and tribulations, grand successes and disheartening setbacks, Suchet shows us the real Mozart - blessed with an abundance of talent yet sometimes struggling to earn a living. His mischievous nature and earthy sense of humour, his ease and confidence in his own incredible abilities; these were traits that never left him. His music has brought comfort to countless generations; his life, though brief, is no less fascinating.
Reviews / Votes
'A lively read' - Financial Times Best Books of 2016; "An admirably written work of fascinating flair, vitality, enthusiasm and wide ranging facts about the great composer ... very educational yet refreshingly entertaining" - John Lill CBE; "The heart-rending story of Mozart's all-too-brief life is compellingly told by Suchet. He sweeps the reader along with his gripping and vivid narrative and, while being deeply compassionate towards his subject, he does not shy away from exploring the difficult aspects of Mozart's personality. Suchet's book does what all good composer biographies should do - it makes you want to rush out and listen to the music. Sumptuously illustrated, it's easy to see this book being on many a music lover's Christmas list!" - Margaret Fingerhut, Professor of Piano, Trinity Laban Conservatoire; "Reading John's luxurious book made me drop everything I was doing and rush to the piano to play as much Mozart as I could manage. It was a roller coaster of a life and John has written a thrilling account of it." --Carl Davis, composer and conductor; "John Suchet's book on the life of Mozart is a wonderfully enticing narrative, and a vivid account of the personalities and times which shaped a genius" -- Andrew Cornall, Artistic Consultant, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; "In Mozart: The Man Revealed John Suchet has brought Mozart affectionately and vividly to life. This is not only hugely interesting and entertaining for the general reader - it also offers an extremely useful perspective for the performing musician." -- David Murphy, music director, Sinfonia Verdi; "A must for anyone who enjoys Mozart's music... Gently challenging many of the common misconceptions held about Mozart's life, this book allows the reader to appreciate the genius of his music at a higher level than before... John Suchet's book is one to which I shall often refer as I continue to explore Mozart's music" - Iain Stewart MP; "A fascinating read ... a revealing insight into the trials and tribulations of being a boy genius, the demands of a domineering and at times zealous father, and the sheer intensity of his travelling life as a musical prodigy - John Suchet tells the story boldly and passionately. I learnt a great deal from this book - definitely one for all to read!" -- James Clark, Joint Leader, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; "Working in the music business several decades you think you have learnt many things about Mozart over the years - but no, John has yet again proved that I still have much to learn about Mozart - the man. ... John's style brings the era to life, with his wide span of background knowledge underpinned by a professional journalistic life, this is the only book to own if you want to get to know Wolfgang Amadeus!" -- Sandra Parr, Artistic Planning Director (Orchestra and Ensembles), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic; "John Suchet holds in superb balance the great paradoxes between the earthiness of this quirky, foppish youth and narration of his sheer genius and incredible industry; in doing so, he dispels many of the myths surrounding this extraordinary life. No dry, boring tome here; it reads like an excellent and, at times, racy novel. An absolute 'must-have' for every music-lover's library" -- Professor Dr. Ian Tracey, DL, Organist, The City of Liverpool; "Mozart: The Man Revealed would make a perfect Christmas present for the classical music lover in your life or simply as a well earned treat. My copy is definitely one to keep and cherish" -- jaffareadstoo.blogspot.co.uk; "However well you think you know the story of the boy genius who died tragically young, read this deeply researched, gripping account of the creative spirit behind the music and you will see him with fresh eyes. Suchet is a natural storyteller steeped in the drama of Mozart's short life who writes with verve and passion and (best of all) wears his knowledge lightly." --Anne Sebba, author of Les Parisiennes: How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved and Died in the 1940sMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 187 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78396-293-8 (9781783962938)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
John Suchet presents Classic FM's flagship morning programme, from 9am every weekday. His informative style of presentation, coupled with a deep knowledge of classical music, has won a wide spectrum of new listeners to the station. Before turning to classical music, John was one of the UK's best-known television journalists. As a reporter for ITN he covered world events, including the Iran revolution, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Philippines revolution. He then became a newscaster, regularly presenting ITN's flagship News at Ten, as well as all other bulletins, over a period of nearly twenty years.
John has been honoured for both roles. In 1986 he was voted Television Journalist of the Year, in 1996 Television Newscaster of the Year, and in 2008 the Royal Television Society awarded him its highest accolade, a Lifetime Achievement Award. John has been given an honorary degree by his old university, the University of Dundee, and in 2001 the Royal Academy of Music awarded him an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his work on Beethoven, having written six books on the composer, including the highly acclaimed Beethoven: The Man Revealed (2012). His bestselling biography of the Strauss family, The Last Waltz: The Strauss Dynasty and Vienna, was published in 2015.
John has been honoured for both roles. In 1986 he was voted Television Journalist of the Year, in 1996 Television Newscaster of the Year, and in 2008 the Royal Television Society awarded him its highest accolade, a Lifetime Achievement Award. John has been given an honorary degree by his old university, the University of Dundee, and in 2001 the Royal Academy of Music awarded him an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his work on Beethoven, having written six books on the composer, including the highly acclaimed Beethoven: The Man Revealed (2012). His bestselling biography of the Strauss family, The Last Waltz: The Strauss Dynasty and Vienna, was published in 2015.
Content
Contents; Preface ... ix; Prologue ... xi; 1 The Handsomest Couple in Salzburg ... 1; 2 The Little Wizard ... 15; 3 The Grand Tour ... 27; 4 Prodigies of Nature ... 39; 5 He Is Skin and Bone ... 49; 6 Wolfgangganggangerl ... 59; 7 Chevalier de Mozart ... 71; 8 Ass-Bumping in Venice ... 83; 9 Bravissimo Maestro! ... 93; 10 Gnagflow Trazom ... 103; 11 There Is No Vacancy ... 113; 12 Wolfgang Amade Rosenkranz ... 123; 13 Off with You to Paris! ... 131; 14 My Dear Departed Mother ... 139; 15 Unlucky in Love ... 151; 16 A Kick in the Backside ... 165; 17 An Honest and Virtuous Wife ... 175; 18 Return to Salzburg ... 189; 19 Paternal Pride ... 203; 20 Womaniser, Criminal and Genius with Words ... 213; 21 The Final, and Greatest, Symphonies ... 225; 22 A Stranger Knocks ... 239; 23 The Taste of Death on My Tongue ... 249; Afterword ... 261; Postscript ... 264; Notes ... 265; Index ... 267