Book Review
Jan. 23rd, 2005 10:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariMozart: His Character, His Work
by Alfred Einstein
This book is neither a simple biography of Mozart, nor an intensive analysis of his music. It's a little bit of both.
The first parts of the book, in which the author discusses Mozart the person and the key influences on his psychological development, are unfortunately hampered by some outdated notions (the book was written in the 1940s). Einstein is clearly operating under the influence of the "Great Man" view of music history. He is obviously quite convinced that Mozart was a genius of nigh-unearthly proportions and sometimes goes to ridiculous lengths to support this idea. Einstein even tries to use Mozart's mundane human failings (a lack of aptitude for managing the household finances, occasional bouts of childishness, etc) as evidence of his great genius.
Einstein is at his best when he's discussing Mozart's music. Although he occasionally indulges in overly rhapsodic praise of a piece under discussion, Einstein offers an insightful examination of Mozart's music. Einstein also does a lot more than run through Mozart's works - he shows how they relate to each other and Mozart's overall development. And Einstein is comprehensive, covering both major and minor works.
by Alfred Einstein
This book is neither a simple biography of Mozart, nor an intensive analysis of his music. It's a little bit of both.
The first parts of the book, in which the author discusses Mozart the person and the key influences on his psychological development, are unfortunately hampered by some outdated notions (the book was written in the 1940s). Einstein is clearly operating under the influence of the "Great Man" view of music history. He is obviously quite convinced that Mozart was a genius of nigh-unearthly proportions and sometimes goes to ridiculous lengths to support this idea. Einstein even tries to use Mozart's mundane human failings (a lack of aptitude for managing the household finances, occasional bouts of childishness, etc) as evidence of his great genius.
Einstein is at his best when he's discussing Mozart's music. Although he occasionally indulges in overly rhapsodic praise of a piece under discussion, Einstein offers an insightful examination of Mozart's music. Einstein also does a lot more than run through Mozart's works - he shows how they relate to each other and Mozart's overall development. And Einstein is comprehensive, covering both major and minor works.
