Book cover of Mozart: The First Biography

Book description

Franz Xaver Niemetschek was born in 1766 in what is now the Czech Republic and came from a musical family, which gave him a deep appreciation and admiration for Mozart's genius. In 1798 he published his biography on Mozart, with a touching dedication to Haydn, the only one written by…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Mozart as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This is the first substantial biography of Mozart, published in 1798. It was written by a Czech author, Franz Niemetschek, who probably knew Mozart personally and who certainly attended musical events at which Mozart participated in Prague in 1787 and 1791. 

While its tone is hagiographical, it contains important insights on Mozartian aesthetics, as well as invaluable recollections of Mozart in action.    

From Simon's list on Mozart’s life and music.

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