Life of Mozart: Volume 1

The 1882 three-volume English translation of the 1867 second edition of a landmark biography of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–91).

Otto Jahn (Author), Pauline D. Townsend (Translated by), George Grove (Preface by)

9781108064828, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 5 September 2013

478 pages, 2 b/w illus. 50 music examples
21.6 x 14 x 2.7 cm, 0.6 kg

In terms of musical composition, all but the first five of his thirty-five years were astoundingly productive for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–91). A stream of glorious symphonies, piano concertos, chamber music, operas and the sublime but unfinished Requiem poured from his pen. German philologist and archaeologist Otto Jahn (1813–69) was inspired to write a scholarly biography of Mozart following a conversation at Mendelssohn's funeral in 1847. He immersed himself in intensive research on the composer and his music, publishing the first edition of this landmark work in four volumes between 1856 and 1859. A second edition followed in 1867, incorporating new material and making use of Köchel's 1862 catalogue of Mozart's works. It is from this edition that Pauline D. Townsend made her three-volume English translation, first published in 1882. Volume 1 covers Mozart's life to 1778, including tours with his father and employment under Archbishop Colloredo.

Preface to the English edition
Introduction
Introduction to the second edition
Translator's note
1. Childhood
2. Early journeys
3. Study in Salzburg
4. The first opera in Vienna
5. The Italian tour
6. Works in Germany
7. Opera seria
8. Mozart's early operas
9. Oratorio
10. Opera buffa
11. Mozart's Re pastore
12. Songs
13. Church music
14. Instrumental music
15. Early manhood
16. Munich and Augsburg
17. Mannheim.

Subject Areas: Baroque music [c 1600 to c 1750 AVGC3]