Mozart in a Month

Rather than plow through a list of must-hear works, a pleasant way to learn is by reading "Mozart: A Life" by Peter Gay (Penguin). The later half of this short book can serve as a listening guide to the composer's career. If you like symphonies, you can listen to the ones Mr. Gay mentions. You can do the same with his references to music for piano, opera, and religious ceremonies. This will place the works within the context of Mozart's life and times — and it will allow you to listen with some flexibility.

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If you happen to have a complete set of Mozart's works and you want to understand the breadth of his abilities, you can replicate an all-Mozart concert that was given March 23, 1783. Mr. Gay lists the bill from that 10-piece program in the book.

For an approach based on what you can hear live this summer, take a look through the Mostly Mozart Festival offerings. The event opens July 29 with Symphony No. 40 in G minor (K. 550). On July 31, excerpts from Symphony No. 36 in C major, K. 425 "Linz," and from "The Marriage of Figaro," will be part of an all-Mozart program. On August 1 and 2, excerpts from Symphony No. 38 in D minor, K. 504 "Prague," and "Idomeneo" will be performed. On August 3 a concert version of "La Clemenza di Tito" takes the stage. The festival runs through August 23, when it closes with the Mass in C minor, K. 427. For more information and for audio clips, visit LincolnCenter.org/MozartListeningLounge. For a brochure of the festival, call 212-875-5766. For tickets, visit LincolnCenter.org or call CenterCharge at 212-721-6500.