Mozart: A Life

Much has been written about Mozart's life from a variety of perspectives. However, none of the books I have read reach the depth of psychological insights not only his life and personality, but his father's, his sister 's and his wife, Constanze. Usually, historians focus on the tragic life of Wolfgang because his life was so short. After reading this book, I understood the tragedy is not only Wolfgang, but also Leopold and his wife, Nannerl, and Constanze.

Overlook our preconceived notions about the mythological Wolfgang and see that his family was not that unfamiliar from many tragedies played out by countless families today. Leopold literally and figuratively lives through his children. Exploiting their talents not only to gain money, but more importantly, to maintain a sense of self worth. Because, they are his flesh and blood.

Solomon demonstrates how the sins of the father destroy the lives of his own children, his wife, and eventually, himself. Not by suicide but by greed, jealousy, anger, envy, and manipulation. How his worst fears come true in an ironic sense of divine justice. For example, his eternal resting place is near Constanze Mozart whom he bitterly opposed to the point of telling Wolfgang that he heard rumors that she was a slut. Or the numerous illnesses Wolfgang suffered while touring as a child, which would eventually take their toll on him, all for the sake of the money his father was making off his son's talent.

Mozart's family was by all accounts symbiotically tied together. A psychological dependency best understood by modern families with the same personality traits. Or possibly any parent who feels their child is the next Mozart.

This is for now the definitive Mozart biography and a must read for everyone, especially a parent.