Mozart and Constanze

by Francis Carr

Recounts Mozart's marriage and final years, discusses the possibility of his murder, and describes Mozart's personality

Genres: Music, Biography, History, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

186 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad at all. But I will say there were some parts that were dry and hard to get through.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The historian focuses on the last decade of the life and death of the composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is 180 pages. It was first published in 1983.
The author weaves a tale of love, reproach, infidelity, his mysterious death, and a hastened and unceremonious burial of one of the greatest composers who ever lived. Relying heavily on letters written between Mozart and his family and friends, the reader is treated to an intimate look into how Mozart engaged in his personal relationships such as his love and devotion to his father, Leopold: “Now farewell. I kiss your hands a thousand times and am ever your most obedient son.”
Mozart was only 35 years old when he died on December 5, 1791. The cause of his death is still unknown and there are multiple theories. The author makes a strong case to support one of the theories – poison. The author also identifies possible suspects. The hurried and unannounced burial of Mozart in an unmarked, common grave is disturbing and a travesty. To this day, no one knows exactly where his body was buried!
I enjoyed the book a great deal and it has inspired me thus: (1) to nurture the craft of handwritten letters giving more attention to beautiful language even of the most mundane topics; and (2) to fetch out more information about Mozart’s last days, death, and burial.
The one negative for me about the book is that the author introduces so many different people that I felt like I should have kept notes to keep them all straight. Still, it was a solid read.

[Freddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focusing on Mozart's marriage, personality, and later years, Carr's biography is engaging enough, even though his theories about the composer's death fail to persuade. Also, more convincing and thorough studies are readily available-- the psychologically probing Solomon or myth-shattering Stafford for example.

[Su Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a musician who simply found music history boring until the recent years, this book was full of tea/gossip that made me gasp and giggle, as well as information that you would not learn in the music history class- Mozart was a Mason,the Magic Flute was full of its symbolism, his marriage, etc. Fantastic book.

[James Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a focus on the last decade of Mozart's life, Francis Carr examines his personal relationships, with a special focus on his life with Constanze. Mozart's marriage did not receive his father's approval and there was plenty of turmoil. Carr also discusses in detail at the circumstances of Mozart's early death and hasty funeral. His conclusion is one with which many may not agree but it is not unreasonable. In fact, Maynard Solomon's comprehensive biography reviews the documentation and concludes that there is no consensus with regard to the specific cause of Mozart's death. This short biography is successful in its focus on the last years of Mozart's musical life.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Carr offers a plausible explanation for Mozart's early death and unceremonious burial. He argues his case with perhaps stronger language than is warranted, given that much of the (possibly relevant) evidence was destroyed by Constanze -- or so the author/historian suggests.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but riviting book about Mozart's relationship with his wife constanze. It also dealt with his death and his own suspicions of being poisoned.

[Arlene Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went through a Mozart phase and this did not paint him in a flattering light. It was more Team Costanze than Team Amadeus...