Mozart: The Man and the Artist Revealed in His Own Words

by Friedrich Kerst (Editor), Henry Edward Krehbiel (Editor)

Mozart's adult life was an almost unbroken succession of artistic triumphs and personal disappointments. This collection of excerpts from his letters and from other writings offers a unique opportunity for firsthand insights into the great composer's life and personality.
In his own words (as compiled by Friedrich Kerst and translated into English by Henry Edward Krehbiel), Mozart communicates his optimisms and anticipations, his recurrent hopes for a post with a fixed income and suitable prestige; his frequent discouragements when these hopes went unfulfilled and pecuniary difficulties ensued; his unhappiness at Salzburg and his maltreatment at the hands of Archbishop Hieronymus; and the circumstances of his love affair with Aloysia Weber and his subsequent marriage to her sister, Constanze. In all, the book contains 255 observations on such subjects as opera, musical pedagogics, love and friendship, religion and morals, composers and performers, the value of hard work, self-respect and honor, travel, and other matters. Extensive annotations provide background for each excerpt.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir, Classics, Ebooks

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1905

Reviews

[Corinna Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best way to start knowing Mozart. How else should you get to know him than by the words of the man himself? It truly is a collection of quotes. They are divided up by subject and each quote has a date, citation, and background information. There are a few paragraphs before each section giving more general information. I loved it, highlighted half of it, and think it was the best way to start my personal study of Mozart.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of excerpts from letters written by Mozart which would be more interesting in the context of a full biography.

[Al Maki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excerpts from Mozart's letters and anecdotes from people who knew him. Collected and originally published in German in 1905 and subsequently translated into English where it can now be found on Project Gutenberg. Gives some insight into the mind of a very unusual human being - a man who could compose a piece of music entirely in his head and while writing it down, compose another piece. In his day to day life he appears to have been a very warm and candid person, deeply attached to his family.

[Santino Maulucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mozart was quite different(as in rude and bad)than I thought. The book is nice in that it has Mozart's exact words in letters he wrote, and stuff like that, but I was a bit disappointed in his character. You get the idea he sat around all day with a white wig and a half smile as he wrote beautiful music, but he is more like a smart, crude teenager who got offended easily, and criticized everyone. At least he worked hard.

[Rosanne R. Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional and noteworthy

For anyone desiring to know and understand the life and works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart this would be a great place to begin. What a fabulous thought to publish his letters as an incite. Wonderfully done!

[Althea Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revealed the man he was

Interesting and enlightening and even a bit shocking . I wish there had been more on his symphonies but still there is much to explore in this book.

[Mark Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

He did his best to not let his genius get the best of him and he seems to have loved his wife so vividly.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mozart: The Man and the Artist Revealed in His Own Words by Henry Krehbiel is a collection of excerpts from Mozart. The excerpts are distributed into different chapters that each concerns itself with various subjects. The popular picture painted of the child prodigy and musical genius that effortlessly produced such a copious amount of music in such a short life, doesn’t coincide with his own words. History has never doubted his genius; Mozart the composer has and will always be loved by man. The compositions he wrote during his short life will continue in popularity and affection even when we, as mere mortals, are long dead and forgotten. Mozart the man has been presented in many ways but I think the only true picture can be derived from his own words. This book gives a good glimpse of the man behind the music.

[Aaron Records · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short read that summarizes, especially if you read the notes, much of Mozart's life. It is a source I will keep handy in the future for quotes. If you are trying to read this as a biography of Mozart's life, though, I would suggest another book first since this is basically, except the brief editorial sections, excerpts from the letters of Mozart -- as the title implies. Ergo, it isn't as comprehensive as a 200 or 300 page biography. The upside is that this collection of excerpts allows you to see how Mozart thought and it's only 100 or so pages, so it's easy to breeze through. And it's free.

[GLENN · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book three stars as it finished without too much of a conclusion. To be fair it did give me more of an understanding of Mozart the man and I highlighted quite a few quotes within my kindle app, particularly in the sections regarding his love for his wife and composition technique. The fact that it was read in a day (and I'm quite a slow reader) should encourage potential readers with an interest in Mozart to give this book a try...and it's free in amazon.

[arg/machine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This neat little volume, which offers a down-to-earth portrayal of Mozart [as gleaned from the letters the musical genius wrote to his family and friends], is now in the public domain and can be freely obtained from here.

[Nicholas Maulucci · Rating 2 out of 5]

a prodigy - yes. a little over - analytical to the point of critical was Mozart. the book was mostly quotes or excerpts from letters that Mozart had written. the book was divided up into different subjects. recommended for Mozart fanatics (of whom I am not one) or for those in a reading contest or those doing a report on Mozart.

[Felmar Roel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mozart is my favourite composer.

[reneeNaDaCherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at the life of Mozart and his writings, which are insightful and inspiring.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly good formatting but

Krehbiel's edition of these letters is now (I gather) regarded as filled with information now known to be incorrect (his description of Mozart's interactions with Colloredo is unnuanced, for example.) 3.5 stars at best really.