Mozart biographies

Dave B · January 06, 2025, 09:36:16 AM

I'd like to get a good biography of Mozart. I have a few in mind but I'd like to see what your recommendations are.
And I plan on visiting more often. I originally joined in 2008. Reason for the hiatus? Unknown. But my New Year's wish, not resolution, is to be here more often.
End of digression. Thank you for any biography recommendations you'd like to give.

Franco_Manitobain · January 06, 2025, 09:41:20 AM

This is the one I read by Maynard Solomon which I enjoyed and got a lot from, over 15 years ago.

Dave B · January 06, 2025, 09:45:45 AM

I was seconds away just now from posting that this seems to be the most recommended biography. Thanks.

Florestan · January 06, 2025, 09:46:52 AM

This has been recommended by Gurn as being ""edifying and entertaining".

It will be my next online reading.

Archaic Torso of Apollo · January 06, 2025, 09:48:02 AM

About 10 years ago I read the Mozart bio by Piero Melograni. I don't recall much about it, except that I liked it. His approach was quite straightforward and I think he avoided psychoanalyzing his subject (something that Solomon likes to do).

Dave B · January 06, 2025, 10:44:49 AM

I just ordered that biography by Gutman.

Herman · January 06, 2025, 12:37:30 PM

I have Gutman and Solomon, ye olde Hildesheimer and two by Robbins Landon.

Number Six · January 06, 2025, 05:17:06 PM

Mozart: The Reign of Love
by Jan Swafford

I have this one in my Kindle library, but I have not read it yet.

(poco) Sforzando · January 06, 2025, 07:39:29 PM

Older, but still a classic:
https://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Character-Work-Galaxy-Books/dp/0195007328

(By Alfred Einstein the musicologist, not Albert Einstein the physicist.)

Dave B · January 06, 2025, 10:09:06 PM

Canceled the order for the Gutman book and went with Swofford instead, after reading a Kindle sample. Thank you for the recommendations.

Jo498 · January 06, 2025, 10:35:25 PM

Not a complete biography as it covers only his last 10 years in Vienna but a great addition, quite readable and it made a bit of a fuss, I think, when it came out around/before the 1991 anniversary because it debunked some legends around Mozart's "death in poverty", and I highly recommend it:
Volkmar Braunbehrens: Mozart in Vienna (Mozart in Wien)

Leo K. · January 07, 2025, 12:17:50 PM

Quote from: Franco_Manitobain on January 06, 2025, 09:41:20 AMThis is the one I read by Maynard Solomon which I enjoyed and got a lot from, over 15 years ago.

This is my favorite of all I have read. It is really well written and insightful.

Florestan · January 08, 2025, 10:36:01 AM

Quote from: Florestan on January 06, 2025, 09:46:52 AMThis has been recommended by Gurn as being ""edifying and entertaining".

It will be my next online reading.

Started this one today. Three chapters in, so far, so good. Well-written and extensively informative. Gurn was right. Love it.

(poco) Sforzando · January 11, 2025, 03:29:16 PM

Quote from: Jo498 on January 06, 2025, 10:35:25 PMNot a complete biography as it covers only his last 10 years in Vienna but a great addition, quite readable and it made a bit of a fuss, I think, when it came out around/before the 1991 anniversary because it debunked some legends around Mozart's "death in poverty", and I highly recommend it:
Volkmar Braunbehrens: Mozart in Vienna (Mozart in Wien)

Yes, Braunbehrens is very good. I have a spare copy (paperbound, pages slightly yellowing but otherwise excellent) that I'd be happy to give away, you just pay postage/shipping.