MOZART

Books on Tape has given us a dryly serviceable reading of Gay's admirably concise, informed text, meant to reinterpret the facts and legends of the composer's brief, stormy life. Alexander Adams's delivery reminds one of a voice-over on a military training film; whatever it lacks in color and verve, it gains in accuracy and clarity. Although the publisher cannot be faulted for omitting elements outside its purview, any aural biography of Wolfgang Amadeus cries out for musical excerpts. Therefore, one will appreciate this volume best after first becoming familiar with the sublime compositions of its subject. Y.R. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 00]