WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART is one of the great composers of all time. People everywhere, young and old, love the gay and beautiful music of Mozart's concerti, symphonies, and particularly his operas.

From the time Mozart was three he was playing a musical instrument and from the time he was five he was composing. He was truly a prodigy, and Papa Mozart lost no time in presenting his wonder child to the world. Mozart was six when he and his sister Nan set out to perform on the clavier in the court of the Emperor of Austria. From there they went to the French court and to the English one. People flocked to hear the charming little boy who had such a phenomenal musical gift.

When Mozart grew up, however, it was difficult for him to make a living. People were not so enchanted by the talent of the man as they had been by that of the child. Added to this, he never had any idea about money and was as gay and irresponsible as when he was a small boy. But music poured forth from him year after year and, though he died poor and ill at the early age of thirty-six, he left the world one of its great musical heritages.

Helen Kaufmann has recreated the merry, free spirit of Mozart in a biography that will delight youngsters everywhere.

From the dust jacket