Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable and Informative
Review: Another in the Penguin Lives series, this is a short, reasonably informative, easy-to-read bio of Mozart, who was (by modern standards) one weird fellow. Author Peter Gay has successfully avoided the heavy-handedness present in some of his other works (e.g. in the "Bourgeois Experience" series), and the result is a pleasant stroll through the late 18th century. Gay concentrates more on Mozart the person rather than on Mozart's music, although the evolution of Mozart's style is an important theme.A quick, easy, enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: A short biography of a Mozart's short life.
Review: For anyone who has ever wanted to know about Mozart, but does not want to dig through massive tomes, or the intracacies of counterpoint, Peter Gay gives a thorough linear analysis of Mozart, his life, and times. Describing the growth of a musical genius, with commentaries on major works, Gay places Mozart firmly in his historic period. We see the role of the musician as hired tradesman and Mozart trying to equate his genius with social standing, only to play secaond fiddle to the second rate. An excellent and enjoyable window into a complex mind and a brief but indelible life.
Rating:
Summary: Colorful portrait
Review: Gay's book is a colourful portrait of the genius Mozart. It's lively not boring and gave me more than enough information on the man himself but very little on his marriage. I would have preferred more info on that aspect of his life but admittedly Gay does a splendid job on the early and Mozart and giving me a better understanding of what made the Great Composer tick.
And the best of the Penguin lives series that I've come across so far.
Rating:
Summary: Colorful portrait
Review: Gay's book is a colourful portrait of the genius Mozart. It's lively not boring and gave me more than enough information on the man himself but very little on his marriage. I would have preferred more info on that aspect of his life but admittedly Gay does a splendid job on the early and Mozart and giving me a better understanding of what made the Great Composer tick.
And the best of the Penguin lives series that I've come across so far.
Rating: 
Summary: Bite-Sized Biography by Major Historian
Review: I am in the midst of this small book, and am impressed by the intelligence brought to bear on the subject of a great composer's life. It is always valuable to spend time with a first rate mind, and Peter Gay does not disappoint. It is difficult to write a brief life of a famous figure, to distill the voluminous literature and reduce an enormous amount of material to the essentials. But the book does justice to the subject; the author has psychological insight, and a historical knowledge and perspective on the era that is illuminating and lends authority to the narrative. The book's conciseness is an advantage, as we are not inundated with minutiae of interest to the research scholar and the professional obsessive.
Rating:
Summary: Not too big, not too small......just right
Review: I enjoy biography, but the trend these days is toward the voluminous, detailed study that weighs in at 700 pages or more. This shorter biography is a delight. I enjoyed learning more about Mozart and his times without committing 4 months to the reading. Well written and informative. I will have to check out others in this series.
Rating:
Summary: WHY FIVE STARS?
Review: I give this book 5 stars because it is perfect in what he proposed itself to achieve: a brief Mozart's biography, with all relevant aspects, easy to read (without being cheap), even for those who doesn't know much about music. Great job.
Rating:
Summary: Superb introduction to Mozart's life
Review: In this book, Peter Gay offers an excellent, concise summary of Mozart's life and greatness. This is not a balanced recounting; Gay compresses the Mozart's active childhood of tours and performances into a single chapter, while his frustrating years at Salzburg are similarly condensed to a few pages. Yet such an approach is more than justified given the purpose of the "Penguin Lives" series, which is to offer brief introductions to their selected subjects.
A distinguished intellectual and cultural historian, Gay brings considerable knowledge of Mozart's world to bear in examining the details of his life, connecting it to the broader historical developments of his time. Chapters 6 and 7 break away from the biographical narrative to focus on Mozart's achievements as a writer of symphonies and operas, which allows Gay to turn his finely honed analytical abilities to evaluating Mozart the artist. While there is nothing new in his analysis, it nonetheless provides an excellent introduction to the life of this brilliant musician and composer.
Rating:
Summary: Superb introduction to Mozart's life
Review: In this book, Peter Gay offers an excellent, concise summary of Mozart's life and greatness. This is not a balanced recounting; Gay compresses the Mozart's active childhood of tours and performances into a single chapter, while his frustrating years at Salzburg are similarly condensed to a few pages. Yet such an approach is more than justified given the purpose of the 'Penguin Lives' series, which is to offer brief introductions to their selected subjects. A distinguished intellectual and cultural historian, Gay brings considerable knowledge of Mozart's world to bear in examining the details of his life, connecting it to the broader historical developments of his time. Chapters 6 and 7 break away from the biographical narrative to focus on Mozart's achievements as a writer of symphonies and operas, which allows Gay to turn his finely honed analytical abilities to evaluating Mozart the artist. While there is nothing new in his analysis, it nonetheless provides the best introduction available to the life of this brilliant musician and composer.
Rating:
Summary: Mozart Revisited
Review: Mozart dies at age 35. His output was stupendous, but his life was short. This gives the author the chance to write about it in great detail within a slim volume. He does an admirable job in bringing Mozart back too life for us. Mr. Gay puts repeated emphasis on Mozart?s dependence on his father Leopold. Although Leopold recognized his son?s genius, he kept him under firm and strict control. Part of this was founded in society?s approach to the upbringing of children. But another large part was the fact that young Amadeus became the money making machine that kept the family financially afloat. Mozart himself went from subservience as a child to absolute disavowal of his father when he became of age. The connection to his sister Nannerl , who was a good musician but not a genius, was more neutral. Young Amadeus had quite the sex drive. But when he married Constanze . he finally found somebody who cared for him. This poor woman outlived him by about 40 years. Mozart was basically a lonely man. As a child, he met - and worked for - kings and emperors. He was aware of, and corresponded with, the great musicians of the time. One of the contacts with the people around him was his membership in the Freemasons. His life was composing, day and night. The author does not give short shrift to Mozart?s music but, thanks be to him, does not spend time on telling us what he personally thinks of one piece of music or another. He accounts for all the compositions and mentions the progress Mozart made. He does give special attention to the operas, writing a short and most helpful resume of all the major ones. Librettist da Ponte receives a place of honor, and Schikaneder an honorable mentioning. Mozart loved to compose operas and is given full credit. He was versed in staging and was a major contributor to any presentation. But he was not a happy person. He loved to spend money, and his music did not bring enough income. He did not like Vienna, where he spent so many years. He came to dislike his father, who held him responsible for his mother?s death. Reading this book, you feel a great affinity for this young genius. And you ponder, of course, what would have happened if----------he had lived longer.
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