Mozart's Women: His Family, His Friends, His Music

I am a collector of biographies of Mozart. I've read many of them and found this book to be the BEST of all those I've read!! The intimate details mentioned in this book are so fascinating! The author covers so many things not seen in other Mozart books, like the details of all his operas, as well as Constance's and Nanneryl's lives years AFTER Mozart's passing!! HIGHLY recommend!!!

The fine Mozart conductor, Jane Glover - see, in particular, her recordings of the Symphonies with the London Mozart Players,  Mozart: Symphonies 31, 34, 35, 36, 38, & 39  - has produced a miraculous book worthy of its title. Few books on Mozart display an easier way moving between the composer's works, his family and friends, and the milieu they live in. And no modern work speaks with greater assurance of the major role women play in Mozart's world, a world of joyous often headlong Olympian music-making brought down to Earth by ever pressing daily needs of family, a world too frequently beset with human tragedy.Glover makes clear from the start she works from a special and intimate window on the life of this most gifted of musical prodigies, and spells out this unique perspective, "The women who had been closest to Mozart...inspired, fascinated, supported, amused, aroused, and sometimes hurt (him) throughout his life...the creator of some of the most vividly drawn and brilliantly understood women on the operatic stage, his entire rich female acquaintance bears close examination."The lives of Mozart's sister and wife and mother rightfully receive the closest attention - within this context the demanding and elusive character of Mozart's father Leopold is given further depth and finish from previous efforts attempting to depict his full, complex character. Most striking is the author's gift at setting out the various inner workings and dynamics of family situations as they emerge in the narrative of the composer's life. This, coupled with her command of the biographical material sets her work apart from and superior to any other recent Mozart biography in bringing a fresh sensibility to a much trod subject - this book gives us a better, more well rounded sense for the composer as husband, father, brother, son.But Glover does not limit her book to what might sarcastically be labeled mere domestic duties - she writes cogently about Mozart's music, and often in close and wise detail gained from years of performance. Glover gives special attention to the roles of the opera, details the various players and how Mozart adopts and adapts with great ingenuity for each in devising his music as would a fine tailor. "Mozart already knew the raw, erotic energy of the 'fiery' Luigi Bassi, who had played the Count (in Figaro), and he drew heavily on it for his Don Giovanni...when Bassi asked Mozart for a chance to show off his ability to spin a lyrical line Mozart wrote him the sublime serenade, 'Deh, vieni, alla finistra'.More than any other book we receive a balanced and appreciative understanding of the much maligned Constanze, and Glover gives a lucid reading, notable for its complete disdain for melodrama, of the difficulties the young widow faced. (Constanze lost two brothers and a father while not yet eighteen, and was only twenty-nine when her husband died, and she was left seeming destitute, a widow with a seven year old boy and a four month old baby.) We feel first hand the heartbreak of Nannerl, trapped in the wilderness of her marriage reading letters about her brother's marvelous successes in Vienna. "So Nannerl, who had been denied the opportunity to develop a musical career of her own, and watched longingly as her brother had swept along his brilliant path, now had to suffer the pain of knowing that her own protege (the young singer Gretl Marchand) was leading the lifestyle that should and so easily could have been hers. Even her own child, like her talent, had effectively been taken from her. If Nannerl became withdrawn and embittered in St. Gilgen, it is not altogether surprising. By whatever combination of circumstances, and for whatever reasons, her own will had been completely suppressed."This is one of the GREAT Mozart books - and I don't hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in better understanding this most remarkable genius through the intimacy of the women he loved and who lived with him through his trials and tribulations. The issue of Glover's wonderful book at a bargain price in paperback now makes it available to everyone.

This was one of the most insightful and beautifully written volumes I have ever read on Mozart. Perhaps this could only have been accomplished by someone with Jane Glover's (C.B.E.) musical credentials.Through her obvious passion she communicates the passion of Mozart for his art. Through reflection of his music she brings to light the very human side of the man and those that surrounded him.[Although certainly not required to enjoy the reading, I found that tracking down a few of Mozart's lesser known pieces ( a surprising number of them are available on Youtube) and listening to those added quite a lot to my enjoyment/understanding.]

The book gives a good understanding how different women influenced his composing, from his sister for whom he wrote many little pieces to famous sopranos of his day, for which he adapted his compositions. Interesting and enjoyable read.

Dame Jane Glover has heard many bravos in her lifetime as aconductor and a musician. As a lover of Mozart(and anyone who doesn't love his music can't love life!) thisreviewer gives her high marks for this outstanding biography. Mozart was mischevious; enjoyed vulgarity in his letters andlanguage but was a good, faithful husband; loving father andarguably the greatest genius in the history of music. Who were Mozart's women?a. His mother Maria Anna whom young Wolfgang loved. Shetraveled with him on his musical tours.b. His musical sister Nannerl with whom he was billed as a childprodigy. Their relationship was loving and complex. As theygrew older Nannerl had to stay home in Salzburg while Wolfgangtraveled to the great courts of Europe. They did not correspondfrom 1783 to 1791 (the year of the 35 year old Mozart's death).c. The four Weber sisters of Mannheim. Mozart married Constanze the middle sister. They had a good marriage and two of their children Carl and Wolfgang lived to adulthood. Constanze saw tomany of Mozart's works being published and contributed biographical information to early chroniclers of the genius.She married a Danish diplomat and lived a long life but neverforgot Wolfgang's love for her.d. The many female opera singers whose careers were guided byMozart's genius. Glover dissects the major operas of Mozart. He loved women andhis operatic writing for them and insight into the feminine soulis the most profound in the history of opera. Mozart's women is beautifully illustrated; elegantly writtenand leaves warm memories of this force of nature called Mozart. If you read one book this year about music make it this one.The strongest figure in his life was his father Leopold.

This book was both interesting and informative-- and it was clearly written by someone who knows about Mozart as well as about classical music.

I've heard Jane Glover conduct and her writing of the same high quality as her conducting. Both are very impressive. It is also a fun read. I feel like I know these people from her great characterizations.

Jane Glover is a very well-informed writer who knows a great deal. She gives a detailed account of Mozart's life from his beginning as a child prodigy with character studies of his loving mother, his bullying father and his talented sister. Then we learn about how he developed his astonishing talents and his travels throughout Europe. I personally found the detailed retelling of all his operas' plots less interesting (opera plots being in my opinion usually somewhat illogical and peculiar). And then the tragic death at such a young age and the huge and loving generosity towards his wife Constanz, his sister Nannerl and indeed all the women soloists who had worked with him. I found this last part of the book very moving as it showed just how much he was admired, loved and respected and how careful all his friends and supporters were to ensure these women were honoured, emotionally supported and financially provided for. This biography allowed me to understand Mozart's genius, his character, how loved and loving a person he was. I loved the book and recommend it to anyone interested in this treasured composer.

Dame Jane Glover is renowned for her work as conductor, but she should be equally esteemed as an author. I read her Handel in London just over a year ago, and was utterly enchanted, revelling in the joy with which she wrote about the music and the musicians. The same is true of this book, which paints a vivid picture of the all-too-short life of the prolific composer, and sets his rich oeuvre against the context of his family life.The basic facts are well known (although I have to confess that, before reading this book, my own understanding of Mozart’s life was formed essentially through the prism of the film Amadeus): the child prodigy who grew into one of the most gifted and prolific composer of his, or indeed any, time. Because of my familiarity with the film, I had known that his father, Leopold, was a major influence on Mozart’s life and output. I had not, however, appreciated how talented his sister, ‘Nannerl’ was, or that the two of them had been touted around Europe. I didn’t even know that the Mozart family had visited England as part of the tour showcasing the two child stars, and lived in London for the greater part of a year. Indeed, I was amused to read that, during an outbreak of plague [with all the stark resonances that brought as a book read during lockdown] while the Mozarts were living in London, they decided to move out to the country, relocating to a house that is now in Ebury Street, Chelsea.Beautifully written, and (I presume) exhaustively researched, this book is a joy from start to finish: highly informative, but supremely accessible.

This subject could be sensationalised, but The author writes with the authority of a distinguished conductor and from deep love of the subject. I have read many books on Mozart (my favourite composer) but none which has both charmed and enlightened me to this extent. You do not need a technical knowledge of music to find this book a total delight.

Brilliant, warm and informative. This is clearly written by an author who adores Mozart but more than that understands him. A joy to read and I was bereft when I finished.I would also recommend "Mozart and his Operas".

This book written by the remarkable Jane Glover has rekindled my interest in the music of Mozart. So learned and well written. Rather to my surprise I found it fascinating and now intend to study the man and his music.