Great Masters: Mozart - His Life and Music

By: Robert Greenberg, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert Greenberg

Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Even from the perspective of time, it is nearly impossible to grasp the full contribution made to music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in his brief and glorious life. He composed his first symphony at the age of 8 and reached full artistic maturity by the time he was only 20. And when he died at the age of 35, he left a legacy of more than 600 works of brilliance - symphonies, chamber music, operas, and more - most composed during an incredibly productive 20-year period.

But even though it can well take a lifetime to fully grasp the achievement of the man described by Rossini as "the only composer who had as much knowledge as genius and as much genius as knowledge", every step of that journey toward understanding will be a joy - one you can begin with this fascinating eight-lecture series, which can serve as both a stand-alone introduction to this extraordinary composer or as the gateway to a lifetime of appreciation and pleasure.

Beginning with an examination of the many myths that surround Mozart to this day, Professor Greenberg offers not only an understanding of his music, but also a realistic view of Mozart the boy and man, from his emergence as youthful prodigy to his posthumous deification.You'll learn about his difficult and ultimately doomed relationship with his father, his troubled marriage, his relationships with luminaries like Haydn, Emperor Joseph II, and his operatic librettist, Lorenzo da Ponte, and the triumphs and disappointments that marked his career - including the astonishing and inexplicable creative recovery that enabled him to create his great Masonic opera, The Magic Flute, only months before his death.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2000 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2000 The Great Courses

Another great course by Professor Greenberg

Very lively narrative. It's more of a biography than a music appreciation course but the way the music is weaved in works well.

Brings tears to me in the end

I’ve enjoyed all of Dr. Greenberg’s courses. This one is no exception. He paints a lively portrait of my favorite composer.

It whet my appetite for more

Would you consider the audio edition of Great Masters: Mozart - His Life and Music to be better than the print version?

N/A

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mozart, of course

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Learning how Mozart had to disconnect from his overbearing father, whom he loved.

Any additional comments?

This was my first Great Course recording and certainly won't be my last. Greenberg, despite occasional over the top dramatics, is an excellent and enthusiastic scholar, musician and lecturer. The breadth of his knowledge and the selections of Mozart's music and a few of his contemporaries, was just enough to completely whet my appetite for more. As an historian, I appreciated his insistence on going to original sources for his information instead of relying on what other music scholars may have written or posited. There was nothing dry or boring in those sources he quoted. No, quite the contrary. They were often entertaining and always enlightening. Mozart had quite the scatological sense of humor.

For example, Professor Greenberg took great pains to debunk the commonly held [often thanks to movies …I'm talking about you, Amadeus ...] notion that Mozart was some kind of idiot savant. Far from it, while he had his share of "issues", he generally functioned and engaged well in society and enjoyed much success. He was a tireless worker, churning out genius music at a prodigious rate, even when unwell or also working nearly full time as a performer, producer, teacher, husband and father. He was a one of a kind prodigy, which of course means he was/is often misunderstood.

This is not an exhaustive course, with just 8 45+minute lectures, punctuated with snippets of music to illustrate his points, but it was enlightening enough to be riveting. I love listening to classical music but like so many, my appreciation and understanding has been somewhat lacking. Now, I feel enriched enough to listen to Mozart with more appreciation.

Bravo, Professor Greenberg

The six hours and change goes by so fast, much too fast for my liking. The last chapter describing Wolfgang's last year on Earth was poignant and heartbreaking, especially the way his father disinherited him out of the family fortune that Wolfgang helped create in the first place. I wonder how many more masterpieces might have come out of Wolfgang's genius with a few more years of life? That's a question for the ages that we'll never know. C'est la vie.

Good Story. Greenberg a little too gushing in this course

I like Dr. Greenberg’s courses, and will listen to many more. After listening to this one, I still don’t feel like I know the real Mozart. The whole course seemed a rebuttal of the movie “Amadeus”, which I enjoyed, and initially kindled a greater interest in his music and story. I learned a lot though, however the quest for the real Mozart continues.

Great storyteller.

Professor Greenberg has done a wonderful job recounting the life of Mozart. His course on Bach is great too.

Bravo!

Exceptional! Forthright, insightful interpretation of Mozart's life interspersed with excerpts of his compositions, beautiful beyond words.

Loved It!

Such an enjoyable series that i can’t call it a lecture! This is a wonderful mix of biographical information, music and analysis delivered in a most enthusiastic ally entertaining presentation! I smiled I laughed I cried.. Mozart I love you now even more than before!

Enriched my life

I’ve heard several of Dr. Greenberg’s courses and they have all been excellent. In this course, I especially enjoyed how Dr. Greenberg explained the interaction of biographical information and historical context on Mozart’s music. I loved hearing the short pieces of music and will enjoy all of Mozart’s music, and I think all music, much more because of this course.
Dr. Greenberg’s exceptional knowledge, teaching talent and humor make this class sparkle. I looked forward to hearing each class and was sorry to see it end.

One of the Professors You Wish You'd Had

Professor Greenberg's lecture delivery is as informative as it is entertaining. He covers the basics of Mozart's life, addressing many common misconceptions. The lecture isn't technical in terms of music by any means, but does give clear examples of the material described. I imagine the video lectures of this series would have been better, but as I listen to most audiobooks in the car or while at work, this is the next best thing. If you are fan of classical (concert) music, and enjoy lectures that are very conversational, then this will suit you just fine.