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Kirkus Book Review

A very short, thoroughly unpretentious biography--by a musical commentator on British radio and television. Baker relies largely on quotations from Mozart-family letters and from period sources as he sketches in the familiar story. He sees both sides of the father-Leopold question, recognizing the exploitative behavior but emphasizing Leopold's genuine love and pride. Wolfgang's childishness is noted here, of course (""a nature wide open to distraction""), with frank mention of his bathroom humor. And, while succinctly setting forth the miserable travels, the Salzburg appointments, the Vienna free-lancing, and the later triumphs, Baker manages to refer to most of the important compositions--usually with a bland butr appropriate adjective. (Only in the tiny opera discussions does the over-simplification verge on distortion.) All in all, a perfectly decent introductory volume for newcomers--handsomely illustrated. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.