Mozart in Prague

Name: Mozart in Prague
ISBN: 978-1959770176

by Daniel E. Freeman

Publisher

Calumet Editions

Publication

Jan 26, 2023

Format

Paperback/Softback

Illustrated

Price

$24.48

Dimensions

6 x 9 x 1.23 in

ISBN

978-1959770176

ASIN

1959770179

Pages

492

Age

Adult 18+

Rights Sold

🌍 World Wide Rights Available

Description

Mozart in Prague tells the story of Prague's progressive and early embrace of one of the world's greatest composers—and of his reciprocation. Often dismissed in Vienna as a composer of excessively complicated music with little popular appeal, Mozart found complete recognition for his talents in Prague, likely as a byproduct of the exceptional musical literacy of the general population. Regardless, accounts of the affection lavished on Mozart by the people of Prague can be deeply moving for those acquainted with his bleak struggles for recognition in Vienna. Indeed, he was manhandled like a rock star at the concert in 1787 that featured the first performance of the “Prague” Symphony in a way that he never experienced anywhere else in his lifetime. And in contrast to the tawdry ceremonies that accompanied Mozart's burial in Vienna in 1791, his funeral in Prague, attended by thousands of mourners, brought civic life there to a complete standstill. It was the residents of Prague, not his home city of Vienna, who took full responsibility to provide for his penniless widow and orphaned children. Mozart in Prague tells the story of the amazing civic revival that was responsible for Mozart's unique personal and musical relationship with this profoundly beautiful and cultured city. It is nothing if not compelling—and the colorful cast of characters who helped shape it includes such unexpected names as those of Marie Antoinette and Giacomo Casanova.

Awards & Endorsements

2022 Independent Press Award

Winner — Biography

Praise

Daniel Freeman’s delightful storytelling reveals both the brilliance of Mozart and his special relationship with Prague. To be Czech is to be musical. That is as true today as it was in 1787 when the world premiere of Mozart’s masterpiece Don Giovanni nearly tore the roof off Prague’s Estates Theater. Dr. Freeman reveals why Prague was such a warm home for Mozart, while Salzburg’s most famous son had a contentious relationship with Vienna.

—Patrick DeWane, Writer/Actor of The Accidental Hero

Review

A compelling, scholarly and very accessible book depicting Mozart’s relationship with the culturally rich city and its citizens. Dr. Freeman has written a seamless historical account of Mozart, Prague and their intersection. Freeman immerses the reader in eighteenth century Bohemia through the use of primary source material, genealogies, etchings, maps and photos.

—Mary-Louise Clary, Verified review on Amazon

Review

A remarkable achievement. In-depth research via the press, private diaries and letters, plus a wide review of the life of Mozart as written up through the 1800s and now reviewed through an academic lens for accuracy and plausibility.

—Richard Harmon, verified review on Amazon

Review

This is a book I have waited for, for a long time, from my favorite lecturer on classical music. Freeman simply has no rival in his ability to make the lives and works of the great composers fascinating.

—Manya, verified review on Amazon

Review

The facts and the way they are shared allow for immersing experience for the reader into the Bohemian landscape of the Mozartian era, surrounding the literature as it seamlessly unfolds gifted author has produced an undeniable anthology of utmost significance surrounding the latest findings and documenting elucidating one of music history’s greatest and beloved genius of Mozart!

—Ray, verified review on Amazon

Author(s)

Daniel E. Freeman

Daniel E. Freeman is an American musicologist, pianist, and music editor who lives in Minneapolis. Born in Everett, Washington, he was raised in northern Wisconsin. He has taught music history at the University of Illinois, the University of Southern California, and the University of Minnesota. Since 2002, he has appeared regularly as a speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. He specializes mainly in 18th-century European music, both of the baroque and classic periods, and has produced works that deal with Italian opera, Italian keyboard music, the musical culture of Prague and the Bohemian lands, and the music of W. A. Mozart, J. S. Bach, the Bach sons, Antonio Vivaldi, and Josquin des Prez. His three books based on topics related to the musical culture of Prague are a unique contribution to the musicological literature unmatched by any other scholar. More detailed biographies of Daniel E. Freeman are available online through Wikipedia in English, German, Czech, and Arabic.