Described in Germany as the 'most thought-provoking' book of the bicentennial year, Georg Knepler's critical study explores Mozart's life and works from many new perspectives, providing fresh insights into his music and the tempestuous times through which he lived. In what is more than just a biography, Professor Knepler takes a semiotic approach, explaining in readily accessible language, the immediacy and universal appeal of Mozart's music. Based on a close reading of the family correspondence and a detailed look at Mozart's entire musical output, the book sheds new light on Mozart's creative psyche, his political leanings, his relation to the thoughts and currents of the Enlightenment, and the underlying basis of his musical expression. This is a book which raises important questions about Mozart the man, Mozart the towering genius, and the universal validity of his creations