Mozart's Symphonies: Context, Performance Practice, Reception

by Neal Zaslaw

Overview

Published in paperback to coincide with the bicentennial of Mozart's death, this book identifies and evaluates every symphony that has ever been associated with the name of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, nearly 100 in all. Zaslaw, who served as the musicological supervisor for the complete recordings of Mozart's symphonies by Jaap Schröder, Christopher Hogwood, and the Academy of Ancient Music, draws on exhaustive research and his own experience in presenting this comprehensive study. He places each symphony in its musical and cultural context, explores the role each played in Mozart's creative life, and reveals what is known about how Mozart's symphonies, and those of his contemporaries, were performed. In doing so, he has created an invaluable contribution to Mozart scholarship that will long stand as the definitive treatment of its subject.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198162865
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	11/14/1991
Series:	Clarendon Paperbacks
Edition description:	REPRINT
Pages:	642
Product dimensions:	9.70(w) x 7.36(h) x 1.29(d)

About the Author

Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Editorial Reviews

"The most important study of any part of Mozart's output to have appeared for many years. Indeed, it blazes a trail. There have been books in plenty that discuss the music and the background of various groups of Mozart's works...but none, I think, until now that has applied the full rigour of modern musicological method, work by work, supported by a comprehensive grasp of the literature, both contemporary and secondary....There are, without exaggeration, hundreds of new, interesting and thought-provoking points in his discussion....Bound to be a cornerstone of Mozart scholarship for many decades and a starting-point for any future work."—Early Music

"Monumental....An admirable and exhaustive job on a subject that will serve scholars for years to come....Highly recommended."—Journal of Musicological Research

"This exhaustively researched work delivers a plethora of details about the symphonies and the composer's personal and professional life."—Symphony Magazine

"Until now there has been no really substantial book on Mozart's symphonies, but Zaslaw's work is so thorough and finely done that surely it will be the standard source on this important repertory for years to come. It is good to see such a significant gap in the Mozart research literature filled by a book that will no doubt become as indispensable in its own way as the Köchel thematic catalog or Emily Anderson's edition of the Mozart letters....A handsome volume, very reasonably priced for the riches it contains."—Choice

"Both Mozart and the symphonies are shown in an interesting new light. Thoroughly researched, clearly written, and fascinating to read, this is a welcome addition to the growing number of high-quality studies of classical composers."—Library Journal

From the Publisher