Mozart: A Life

Historian Johnson (A History of the American People) has taken to writing succinct biographies of world-renowned figures like Darwin and Churchill that usually clock in under 200 pages, and this newest work, is no exception. Johnson packs a great deal of information into these pages in this chronological narrative, and his grasp of Mozart’s musical output is astounding, his descriptions of Mozart’s works comprehensive and enlightening. Johnson nicely gets into Mozart’s character (“Mozart had just enough experience with opera for it to remain fun, without disgusting him”), and he challenges preconceived notions about Mozart’s financial situation, marriage and, in an epilogue, the events surrounding his death. Overall, this is a solid, and often fresh, introduction to the life and work of the composer. (Nov.)