Description: Julian Rushton offers a concise and up-to-date biography of this musical genius, combining a well-researched life of the composer with an introduction to the works--symphonic, chamber, sacred, and theatrical--of one of the few who have composed undisputed masterpieces in every genre of his time. Rushton presents a vivid portrait, ranging from Mozart the Wunderkind--travelling with his family from Salzburg to Vienna, Paris, London, Rome, and Milan--to the mature composer of perennially fascinating operas such as "The Marriage of Figaro," "Don Giovanni," and "The Magic Flute."
Review Quotes: 'An achievement of real distinction.... Rushton unfailingly captures the right tone, rendering his book accessible to the general Mozart lover and at the same time satisfying to the Mozart scholar.... This is a book to relish.'--John Irving, Eighteenth-Century Music
'An exceptional book. Rushton's Mozart is a practical guide for both the general reader and scholar. The biography is fluent, easy to understand, and supplies many updated resources. He offers a concise and up-to-date biography while meeting his objective of supplying an introduction and guide to the works.This is a well researched book that will serve as a practical guide for both the general reader and scholar.'--Jonathan Ng, Choral Journal'Crisp, learned.'--Alex Ross, The New Yorker'A crisp account of the composer's career, with many musical examples.... Rushton is direct, impersonal and authoritative, as befits a brief but learned introductory life. Not that he doesn't offer anecdotal material to keep the more casual reader entertained.'--Michael Dirda, Washington Pos'Always sensitive, judicious, and stimulating. It is too short--not too short for Mozart but for Rushton, who has certainly much more to say that would be of interest.'--Charles Rosen, The New York Review of Books'A valuable addition to the ever-growing literature on Mozart.'--Library Journal'Rushton has pulled off something as brilliant as it is implausible: a perfectly judicious account of the life of the composer.' --Bookpage'The finest short biography of Mozart that I know--incisive, insightful, and elegantly written. If I had to recommend one book that explained the man and his music, this would be it.'--Cliff Eisen, Department of Music, King's College London'A splendid introduction to Mozart's life and works--carefully organized, sensibly argued, and lucidly written. Rushton brings his vast knowledge of Mozart into the biographical arena and succeeds admirably in writing for both the layman and the connoisseur of Mozart's music.' --Simon P. Keefe, Professor of Music at City University London, and editor of The Cambridge Companion to Mozart and The Cambridge Mozart Encyclopedia'Rushton's account is succinct yet thorough, covering key areas such as the composer's relationship with freemasonry and his attitudes toward his contemporaries.'--Andrew Farach-Colton