Angelica Barnes

The Composer's Shadow

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Vienna, 1763.  Within the vibrant Mozart household, young Wolfgang’s genius flourishes, but a secret melody echoes in the shadows. Nannerl Mozart, his older sister, possesses a musical gift as radiant as her brother's, yet stifled by the confines of her time. Witness her hidden concerto, a breathtaking performance for a select few, igniting a flame of ambition she must keep concealed.
Journey back to Nannerl's childhood, where she and Wolfgang weave symphonies of laughter and youthful melodies, a bond seemingly unbreakable.  Their father, Leopold, initially nurtures both prodigies. But as Nannerl blossoms, Leopold's ambition narrows, fixated on Wolfgang's star, leaving Nannerl's compositions dismissed as mere “female fancies.”
The glittering courts of Europe become Nannerl's gilded cage.  Forced smiles mask her simmering resentment as Wolfgang basks in applause.  Whispers of other silenced female artists fuel her quiet rebellion, and a hidden notebook becomes the sanctuary for her forbidden music.
Back in Vienna, a secret alliance blooms.  Frances Reynolds, a kindred spirit, and other women artists form a clandestine haven, nurturing Nannerl's courage to defy convention. Yet, as Wolfgang’s fame soars, Leopold tightens his grip, forbidding Nannerl's compositions, demanding a suitable marriage. Her collaboration with Wolfgang becomes a bittersweet symphony, her brilliance masked, her voice muted.
A fateful encounter with renowned composer Johann Melchior Molter offers Nannerl a glimmer of hope, but ignites a storm.  Leopold’s discovery of her secret music shatters the family’s carefully crafted façade. Nannerl must confront her father's prejudice and her own internalized limitations.  In this crucible, she makes a daring choice: to flee Vienna and forge her own destiny.
In Salzburg, Nannerl finds a fragile freedom, nurturing young minds and composing in secrecy.  Years later, at a Salzburg music festival, Wolfgang orchestrates a breathtaking surprise. Nannerl's music, finally unveiled, captivates the audience, a testament to her enduring genius.
Return to Vienna with Nannerl, no longer a shadow, but a composer in her own right. Witness her reconciliation with Leopold, a bittersweet echo of what might have been.  Her story, a melody of resilience and defiance, becomes an inspiration, a testament to the indomitable spirit of female artistry, forever echoing in the halls of history.
This book is currently unavailable
239 printed pages
Original publication
2024
Publication year
2024
Publisher
PublishDrive
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