Mozart's Grace

Description

It is a common article of faith that Mozart composed the most beautiful music we can know. But few of us ask why. Why does the beautiful in Mozart stand apart, as though untouched by human hands? This title describes a range of musical effects of Mozart's music to other domains of human significance, including expression, intimation, and more.

Scott Burnham is the Scheide Professor of Music History at Princeton University. His books include "Beethoven Hero" (Princeton) and "Sounding Values".

"Here is analysis and commentary written with considerable enthusiasm and affection... Mozart's Grace is written with great fervour and yes, grace, together with a deep love of Mozart's music."--Classical Music Magazine "The premise: identify some of the best bits in Mozart's works, then discover why they succeed so well. The idea is so starkly simple that one could expect a puerile result. However, Burnham, an eminent teacher, writer, and Mozartean, produces something rather wonderful... [Mozart's Grace] is a book that does justice to its subject matter."--Choice "This book has only deepened my admiration for its author."--Leo Black, Musical Times