1791: Mozart's Last Year

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When Haydn left on a concert tour to London in December 1790, Mozart said farewell forever, and most people assumed it was Haydn's health that he was worried about. As we know now, the elder composer was to live for almost two decades more; Mozart, a single year. It was to be a year in which he wrote The Magic Flute, La Clemenza di Tito, and the Clarinet Concerto, as well as most of the Requiem; it was also a year of mounting disappointment in his career as part of the Viennese musical establishment, and a year of growing debt. Robbins Landon is keen to debunk the myths: Mozart was not poisoned ,but died of progressive kidney failure, and Salieri was innocent of his death, though not of promoting his own career at Mozart's expense. Landon defends Mozart's wife, Constanze, against the libels of biographers, though at times his portrait of comfortable bourgeois monogamy sounds like special pleading and overlaps with hints of conscientious bohemian racketiness. This is a wonderful portrait of a great artist and the city where he lived; in passing, Landon tells us everything we need to know about musical life, Masonry, and the truth about that pauper's grave. --Roz Kaveney

Book Description

The last month of the year 1791 witnessed what H.C. Robbins Landon calls "the greatest tragedy in the history of music": the premature death of the thirty-five-year-old Mozart. Surrounded by enigma and intrigue, allegations of poisoning, and sexual scandal, this event continues to grip the popular imagination today--as was demonstrated by the astonishing success of the play and movie Amadeus. Curious and controversial as the circumstances of Mozart's death are, the truth has been obscured by accumulated layers of mythology. Drawing on his unrivaled knowledge of the sources, Professor Landon cuts through fantasy and mystification to present the facts--including a substantial amount of unpublished information--and reconstruct the moving story of the last year of Mozart's life. The composition of such works as the Requiem and the operas The Magic Flute and La clemenza di Tito is discussed in detail, and new light is thrown on Mozart's relations with the Freemasons and with Salieri, among others. One of the world's leading musicologists, H.C. Robbins Landon is justly renowned for his rare ability to communicate the excitement of discovery. This is a major contribution to the literature of Mozart.

Customer Reviews:

Keeps you up late.......2006-11-23

This is a good book to read late at night, in the woods, alone. If you enjoy Mozart then...you might like this! This is my favorite book on Mozart I'd have to say. The last year of his life is an interesting subject and has become quite a little legend. This here book does a good job of taking apart that year and separating what probably isn't true from what probably is true. I'm trying to not use the saying, "separates fact from fiction," because I hate that saying. Really though, it does a good job of it. Well done research and all that. The mysterious flavor of the story of his last year is still kept in place. If you've never read a book on Mozart, don't fear. Everything leading up to his last year is included, making this a good book for the Mozart student and professor. I sure say a lot of smart things! So anyways, all that aside, this is a good read and even if you aren't exactly like me you will probably like it. There.

Demonstrates considerable knowledge and research.......2003-12-16

1791, Mozart's Last Year is a fairly short (199 pages plus appendices, notes, and index) book about the last year of the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the famous composer. Among the things discussed are the possibility of Mozart's receiving a good paying position in the Vienna cathedral, his involvement with the Masons, and the circumstances surrounding the composition of La Clemenza di Tito, Die Zauberfloete (The Magic Flute), and the Requiem. Chapters also provide more general background about life in Vienna at the time. One chapter is devoted to the facts about Mozart's last illness, and other explores various myths and theories about it. A final chapter refutes some criticisms of Mozart's wife Constanze. The book is very well written, and appears to be the product of considerable knowledge and research. Included are some photographs and illustrations.

Well written and informative plus a lot of extra details.......2003-02-14

This is a well-researched book by Robbins Landon not only giving a detailed glimpse of Mozart in 1791 but also the ongoing intrigues associated with life in late 18th century Vienna. Discussed in detail are the three main compositions that he completed during this final year: those being, The Magic Flute, La Clemenza di Tito and his Requiem. There is an interesting section on Mozart's death and the myths and suspicions associated with his final illness. The last chapter is devoted to Constanze and her struggles to survive after Mozart's death.

The book has extensive reference notes, a detailed bibliography and an index that list people who were part of Mozart's life during this period. Also included are some interesting sketches of Mozart's apartment and an area map of Vienna where he and Constanze live in during his last year.

What I personally found of interest, resulted from the extra measures that Robbins Landon goes to give added details on some topics (in particular the 3 works mentioned above). Insights as to the sequencing of construction, participation of other people and outside distractions that influenced Mozart's ability to work on and complete these projects. For example: the fact that 5 different types of sheet paper were used by Mozart during the writing of "La Clemenza di Tito" gives clues not only as to the actual chronological order that some of the scenes were composed, but also an idea as to the geographic locales where different parts this opera was conceived. i.e. Prague or Vienna

It seems hard to believe that retrieving accurate material on Mozart's life and music would be difficult, given his fame. You'd just assume that every note (musical or otherwise) that he wrote would have been recorded for the sake of posterity: sadly, such is not the case. Although Mozart was regarded as a brilliant musician during his time he was only recognized for his true genius, posthumously. So, although a lot of the musical scores, letters, writings and conversation have survived, many were lost or went missing over the past 200 years. What a pity!

Well written and informative. This is certainly a book of special interest, but one that goes beyond the superficial discussions of Mozart's life. Recommended!

Bravo!.......2002-11-18

After reading "Mozart's Letters, Mozart's Life" by Robert Spaethling, this book was a nice transition. Both books are worth buying and reading. Mr. Robbins presented "Mozart's Last Year" logically and held my interest to the end.

The references to Haydn and his relationship with Mozart gave me some really new insight into how the two interacted and regarded the other. The research that was involved in this book lends credit to the contents, which were presented in a common sense way. Mr. Robbins has written a book that, I feel, is a "must read" for anyone interested to learn about Mozart's life and circumstance. A lot of rumors were put to rest. I learned a lot I did not know. I learned a lot about people who touched Mozart's life. I like the fact that he gave Constanze the respect she deserves as one who saved Mozart's works for us to enjoy! Great Job!

A terrific read--I devoured this book!.......1999-09-28

The author's affection and esteem for Mozart is apparent throughout, and his enthusiasm for his subject is infectious. This is obviously a work of careful scholarship, but the writing style is so fluid and the topic so engaging that this book can be appreciated by both serious musicians and Mozart-loving non-musicians alike. It addresses many of the subjects that the movie 'Amadeus' touched on--Salieri's jealousy, the writing of the Requiem, Mozart's final illness, etc. but, unlike the movie, it is content to let the unembellished facts tell the compelling story of the last year of the composer's life. A fascinating, well-written book.

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1791 Mozart's Last Year
H. C. Robbins Landon
Manufacturer: Schirmer Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MKJU7M

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Mozart's Last Year, 1791
H.C. Robbins LANDON
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GT41ZA

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Mozart's Last Year/1791

Manufacturer: Schirmer Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Mozart's Last Year: 1791
H.C. Robbins LANDON
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RJK49G

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1791: MOZART'S LAST YEAR.

Manufacturer: P/B
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0006544320

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Mozart's Last Year : 1791
H.C.Robbins, Illustrated by Period Pictures Landon
Manufacturer: Schirmer Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8T1CQ

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Music of Mozart:His Last Year 1791
Npr Milestones Cdcolm 62957
Manufacturer: CBS/EPIC/WTG RECORDS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 630573187X

Book Description

This book deals with the rapid changes in contemporary molecular biology, particularly genome sciences, and the manner in which they can be understood through the lens of political economy. Specifically, the work investigates the case of the United States-led Human Genome Project (HGP), in order to show that even large-scale basic science is closely bound up in the progression of capitalist social relations. The work has, in part, been motivated by the lack of rigorous analysis of the HGP. Most of the existing literature tends to present either a chronological review of events surrounding the HGP or describe it thematically. In contrast, this book contributes to a needed discussion concerning the `why and how' of the HGP's emergence. It elucidates the features within capitalist social relations which have simultaneously enabled the HGP and ensured its amenability to systemic demands. The work's most compelling elements are both historical and analytical. Historically, it places the HGP within the context of wider political, economic and social issues. Related to this, it puts forward an analytical, explanatory understanding of the project's emergence, making it a valuable tool for both political economists, science & society theorists, and even bioethicists.

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Great perspective of Civil War History

A Promise Unbroken: Battle of Rich Mountain / A Heart Divided: Battle of Mobile Bay (Battles of Destiny Collection, No. 1)
Al Lacy
Manufacturer: Multnomah Fiction
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Joy from Ashes: Battle of Fredericksburg/Season of Valor: Battle of Gettysburg (Battles of Destiny Series)

ASIN: 1590529456
Release Date: 2007-01-16

Book Description

Dramatic Tales of Love and Civil War

The Battles of Destiny series is now available in four attractive two-in-one volumes! Bestselling author Al Lacy packs each dramatic novel in the popular historical fiction series with heartwarming romance and solid moral values. Set during the Civil War, these are the tales of families, soldiers, nurses, and spies as they contend with the deadly threats posed by war and the eternal hope that springs from love. Fast-moving and historically accurate, these stories appeal to men and women who enjoy a trip back in time. Now longtime and new Lacy fans can purchase the entire Battles of Destiny classics and enjoy hours of endless reading pleasure.

It was the war that divided our country, shaping the destinies of future generations. It was the war that brought forth triumphant men, women, and families who dared to fight bravely, sacrifice unconditionally, and love without end.

THE CIVIL WAR

A Promise Unbroken

As the first winds of Civil War sweep across the Virginia countryside, the wealthy Ruffin family is torn by forces that threaten their way of life and, ultimately, their promises to one another. Mandrake and Orchid, slaves on the Ruffin plantation, must also fight for the desire of their hearts. Heartache and victory. Jealousy and racial hatred. From a prosperous Virginia plantation to a grim jail cell outside of Lynchburg , follow the dramatic story of love indestructible.

A Heart Divided

Wounded early in the Civil War, Captain Ryan McGraw is nursed back to health by army nurse Dixie Quade. In her tender care, love’s seed is sown. But with the sudden appearance of Victoria, the wife who once abandoned Ryan, and the five-year-old son he never knew he had, come threats endangering the lives of everyone involved. Between the deadly forces of war and two loves, McGraw is caught with a heart divided.

Story Behind the Book

“While studying American history in high school, I was struck with a strange fascination for the Civil War. That fascination grew stronger when I studied it again in college, and I’ve visited many of the sites where the battles took place. When I visited the Appomattox Court House in Virginia , where General Robert E. Lee signed the documents of surrender before General Ulysses S. Grant, I was struck with the thought of creating a series of novels based upon specific battles in the Civil War. I wanted to mold fictional characters with real ones and fill the stories with romance, suspense, intrigue, and the excitement of battle. That’s how the Battles of Destiny series came to be.” —Al Lacy

Customer Reviews:

Great perspective of Civil War History.......2007-03-08

This 2-in-1 Volume has 2 great books--with wonderful story lines and also a great perspective with details on the Civil War.

The characters keep you interested and you want to finish their story.

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hog this book to yourselves!
The Return of the Hog

Destiny at Bay
Victor Mollo
Manufacturer: B.T. Batsford
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Customer Reviews:

hog this book to yourselves!.......2000-12-10

victor molo is back. inspite his death a few years ago, victor molo, the best bridge writer ever, has left us this final book, upon which we can enjoy his wittiness to the full. this book is to my opinion (and i read all the "menagerie" serius) the funniest one. the hands might have been more amazing in past books, but the wisdom and humor were never better. this is a "must" for all bridge lovers, humor lover, and molo adorers. hog this book to yourselves now!

The Return of the Hog.......2000-09-29

Another masterpiece in this series of bridge stories featuring all the great characters of the Griffin's Club, particularly, the Hideous Hog and the Rueful Rabbit. The stories are loaded with humorous situations and outcomes.

Possibly the best was how the Griffin's became the only club in the world that restricts its membership to men only but is open to women. This in turn leads to the introduction of a great new character "Molly the Mule".

Book Description

Wounded in the Civil War, Captain McGraw is caught between two loves -- an army nurse and the wife who abandoned him and now wants him back. A thrilling tale of love and the deadly forces of war.

3 Great Novels By Rose Burghley: Man of Destiny/The Sweet Surrender/The Bay of Moonlight (Hareqluin Omnibus #317)

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A Bay of Destiny: A History of Bantry Bay and Bantry

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A Bay of Destiny: A History of Bantry Bay and Bantry
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DESTINY BAY
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a truly eloquent Irish writer

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ProductGroup: Book
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Customer Reviews:

a truly eloquent Irish writer.......2007-08-28

Mr. Byrne is in a class by himself when it comes to description. I can see the purple heather and the sally on Spanish Man's Rest perfectly. The essence of Irishness is caught in the structure of the text and the activities of the characters. There are several stories here, mainly about the same characters at different stages of their lives. One or two stories are only a couple of pages long and are only so-so. The rest are all very good. The Tale of James Carabine is set in New York. It doesn't have the magic the rest do. Kerry and Uncle Valentine and Aunt Jenepher are respectable characters. Byrne cleverly uses Kerry to say Valentine has passed on in the Tale of Kerry. The whole thought of a gypsy wagon rolling down the hill with a dead woman on board to witness her horse win is shamefully funny. That dealt with a rule my mother didn't even know. When writing about Eire and all its magic, Mr. Byrne is tough to beat.

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Book Description

Cisco authorized self-study book for CCNP 642-821 remote access foundation learning

Prepare for the CCNP BCRAN exam 642-821 with a Cisco authorized self-study guide. This book teaches you how to:

Identify Cisco solutions for remote-access needs
Use AAA to scale access control in an expanding network
Configure asynchronous connections to a central site with modems
Configure PPP and control network access with PAP and CHAP
Use ISDN and DDR connections to enhance connectivity
Optimize the use of DDR interfaces
Establish dedicated Frame Relay connections and control traffic flow
Enable backup to permanent connections
Manage network performance with queuing and compression
Scale IP addresses with Network Address Translation (NAT)
Use broadband to access a central site
Use VPNs to secure remote-access networks

CCNP Self-Study: Building Cisco Remote Access Networks (BCRAN), Second Edition, is a Cisco authorized, self-paced learning tool for CCNP remote access foundation learning. This book provides you with the knowledge needed to build, configure, and troubleshoot a remote-access network to interconnect central sites to branch offices, small offices, and home offices. This book arms you with skills necessary to describe, configure, operate, and troubleshoot WAN and remote-access solutions.

This comprehensive guide presents detailed information and easy-to-grasp tutorials on the implementation, operation, planning, design, and troubleshooting of modern WAN technologies. Using this book, you learn how to control access using basic authentication and authorization configurations, how to maximize bandwidth utilization over the remote links, and how to set up virtual private networks (VPNs) using IPSec. Each chapter opens with a list of objectives to help focus your study. Figures, tables, examples, and command summaries appear throughout to help explain theories, commands, and setup sequences. Step-by-step configuration instructions make enabling the various technologies easy. Key terms are highlighted and defined throughout for simple reference and review. Finally, each chapter concludes with a summary to help review key concepts and review questions to reinforce your understanding of what was covered.

Whether you are preparing for CCNP certification or simply want to gain a better understanding of WAN technology deployment, you will benefit from the foundation information presented in this book.

CCNP Self-Study: Building Cisco Remote Access Networks (BCRAN), Second Edition, is part of a recommended learning path from Cisco Systems that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led training, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining.

This volume is in the Certification Self-Study Series offered by Cisco Press. Books in this series provide officially developed training solutions to help networking professionals understand technology implementations and prepare for the Cisco Career Certifications examinations.

Customer Reviews:

OK book but not enought to pass..........2006-02-13

Material is good but is missing stuff. Cisco should be ashamed with the ammount of typos. Check out the typos here: http://www.ciscopress.com/title/1587051486# Without the typos I would have given it a 3 maybe 4 stars. Needs to be updated.

Incomplete; not sufficient material to pass 640-821.......2006-01-28

I should have read the reviews on this book before taking the exam...I missed it by 5 points, 785/790. That's less than 1 question.

Garbage In -> Garbage Out.......2005-07-06

How does an abhorrent piece of study material like this even make it past the editors? I know that if I was an editor, I would NOT want my name associated with this book. Just go to the Cisco Press website and take a look at the 42kb errata file. There is a correction on almost every other page it seems! Please, save your money and your time and look elsewhere for study material. This book will more than likely cause you to fail the test rather than pass.

Mssing a lot of key material !!.......2005-03-13

This version of the book is definitely missing key topics that are asked in the exam. For example, it does a very poor coverage of PPPoE in chapter 11. The RFC 1483 is never mentioned, which is a building block of PPP0oE and PPPoA architectures. Another example is QoS in chapter 15. Custom queuing (CQ) and priority queuing (PQ) are never mentioned which are favourite topics on the actual exam.

My recommendation is to either use another resource, or ensure that you supplement it with online pdfs from cisco.com and practice tests.

Geek Speak.......2004-06-17

The writing style is so lousy and unreadable, I shifted to the other CCNP BCRAN book (...)midway. Better as a finishing touch rather than as a starting point.

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