Mozart

The 1977 biography of Wolfgang Hildesheimer, "Mozart," is a noteworthy and frequently contentious addition to our knowledge of the renowned composer. A complex, difficult, and profoundly human portrait of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is presented by Hildesheimer, who avoids an unduly romanticized or hagiographic approach. Decades after its publication, this portrait still sparks debate and reexamination.

Hildesheimer's work is fundamentally a demythologization. He removes the façade of the carefree genius who creates masterpieces with ease, the porcelain prodigy. Rather, he explores Mozart's imperfections, fears, and eccentricities by using a psychoanalytical lens to delve into the composer's mind. As demonstrated by the biography's candid show more discussion of Mozart's notorious scatological humor in his letters, this "Mozart" is not always a comfortable character; at times, he can come across as perplexing, aloof, and even uncivilized.

One of the most unique aspects of the book is that it is a "meta-biography." Hildesheimer is not satisfied with merely narrating Mozart's life story. He actively participates in and critiques the biographical writing process itself, especially the customs that have molded Mozart's reputation over the ages. He criticizes earlier biographers for projecting their own ideals onto their subject, being sentimental, and having wishful thinking. This critical attitude includes challenging long-held beliefs and conducting a thorough analysis of sources.

It is a theme-based biographical analysis of Mozart's life. Using excerpts from Mozart's letters, the author creates an engaging, though never hagiographic, account of his life and music. Mozart fans will enjoy this entertaining and well-written biography. show less

Wolfgang Hildesheimer on pyrkinyt kaivamaan esiin Mozartista muutakin kuin vain läjän anekdootteja. Teos tarjoaa mielenkiintoista luettavaa niille, joita kiinnostaa Mozartin epätavallinen persoona, mutta kirjasta saa enemmän irti, jos lukija tuntee myös Mozartin tuotantoa ennalta. Toisaalta tuotantoon voi lähteä tutustumaan tämän kirjankin kautta, jos niin haluaa. Oman mielenkiintoisen osion Hildesheimerin teoksessa muodostavat kirjeet, joita Mozart kirjoitti vaimolleen sekä isä Leopoldille.

Con la ayuda de las propias cartas de Mozart y de abundantes testimonios de la época, el autor recrea la vida del genio austriaco, el prodigio infantil, el compositor brillante, el marido sometido a una vida familiar compleja, el hombre inquieto interesado por la masonería... El libro indaga en la vida del compositor, recrea los ambientes de las ciudades en las que vivió, perfila a los personajes que lo rodearon y nos muestra cómo creó su inmortal obra.