Mozart: A Life

Johnson (Socrates) here delivers a concise biography of classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–91). Johnson strives to debunk legends that surround the artist's life and to give listeners a new appreciation of his musical achievements. The author analyzes and dispatches as falsehoods popular misconceptions about Mozart's health, his relationship with his father, his indebtedness, and the portrayal of his wife, Constanze, as a spendthrift shrew, but the focus of the biography is the man's music. Mozart's naturally cheerful disposition and knowledge of instruments and musicians informed his composing. Mozart understood how to use musical instruments and musicians to their maximum ability. He also mastered the tricks, jokes, and artifice of music and composed witty satirical pieces. Johnson helps the reader appreciate the depth of the genius of Mozart. There are a few points where some background knowledge of music would be helpful. Narrator Robert Ian Mackenzie delivers a well-paced performance.