This book commented on an interesting aspect of Mozart’s life, that is his movements between several cities in Europe that specifically highlight the periods when Mozart lived in Salzburg, Paris, and back to Vienna. In a style that mix biography with musicological analysis on Mozart’s music, Patrick Mackie also highlights the influence of the time during which Mozart wrote his music. Elements of early modernism are mentioned, especially the French Revolution of 1789 which happened during Mozart’s lifetime which in some way or another transcended into Mozart’s music. The author also brings upon the subject of the difficult relationship between Mozart and his father, Leopold, which surely affected Mozart’s view about the world of his time.

However, I find it a bit difficult to digest the story in this book. The words are not typical of a biography, since the author particularly focuses on the musical aspects and influences on Mozart’s work. I guess this book is more intended towards people with musical background or musicologists who already form an opinion in one way or another towards Mozart’s music in some critical way rather than lay readers who have no prior knowledge about Mozart’s life and his musical influence.