Mozart's Starling

By: Lyanda Lynn Haupt

Narrated by: Linda Henning

Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

On May 27, 1784, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart met a flirtatious little starling in a Viennese shop who sang an improvised version of the theme from his Piano Concerto no. 17 in G major. Sensing a kindred spirit in the plucky young bird, Mozart bought him and took him home to be a family pet. For three years the starling lived with Mozart, influencing his work and serving as his companion, distraction, consolation, and muse.

Two centuries later starlings are reviled by even the most compassionate conservationists. A nonnative, invasive species, they invade sensitive habitats, outcompete local birds for nest sites and food, and decimate crops. A seasoned birder and naturalist, Lyanda Lynn Haupt is well versed in the difficult and often strained relationships these birds have with other species and the environment. But after rescuing a baby starling of her own, Haupt found herself enchanted by the same intelligence and playful spirit that had so charmed her favorite composer.

In Mozart's Starling, Haupt explores the unlikely and remarkable bond between one of history's most cherished composers and one of earth's most common birds. The intertwined stories of Mozart's beloved pet and Haupt's own starling provide an unexpected window into human-animal friendships, music, the secret world of starlings, and the nature of creative inspiration. A blend of natural history, biography, and memoir, Mozart's Starling is a tour de force that awakens a surprising new awareness of our place in the world.

©2017 Lyanda Lynn Haupt (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Delightful

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I selected this book. Im not a huge fan of Mozart, but I do love history and we recently put some bird feeders out in our yard. I was drawn in immediately. The mixture of personal with historical was delightful and fascinating to me.

Fascinating Story

I was intrigued by this story and the length the author went to research Starlings. It made me love Starlings and have new respect for them. I got bogged down with all the details and didn't finish the audio--I am glad I listened to the parts I did however .

Multi-Dimensional

A very encompassing read which I enjoyed on a number of levels. This book gets a BIG yes from me.

Fascinating and very well written

The publisher’s summary intrigued me… I love Mozart, but knew nothing about starlings. Now, after reading this book, I have a much greater appreciation of both — and of the author. Unique and very enjoyable book.

Great book, disappointing reader

This is a terrific story. If only Ms Henning had done her homework. So many mispronounced words: recitative (she pronounced it re-SIT-ta-tiv. it’s Italian, the “c” is pronounced “ch”, final syllable “teeve” gets the accent), pedal pianoforte (she pronounced it pe-DAHL piano-for-TAH - what???), Papageno (she pronounced it Papa-jeeno - it’s Papa-Gay-no), same problem with Papagena, Köchel (she pronounced it Koh-kul - it’s German), accelerando (she pronounced it like the English accelerate, it’s Italian). Where was the editor/producer who should have caught these errors? Any student of music would know the correct pronunciations. I finally stopped listening and read the printed book - a much better experience.

Wonderful!

Gives a whole new perspective on Mozart and on Starlings. I so enjoyed this book. Now, I want a Starling.

Birds of a feather

This charming book gets an A plus! Entertaining and informative... Sweet and thought provoking... A glorious read.

Mozart’s Starling

I was intrigued by the story and have a new appreciation for birds cohabiting and interacting with humans. The story I’m certain is a much better read than heard through this Audible performance. I wondered if the speaker was actually AI. I was driven mad by monotone and never pausing at the end of a sentence. I only stuck with it because of the story. There have been few Audible readers I have not warmed to. I tried with this one.

Engrossing, enlightening, engaging

Adore it and it changed how I thought about so many issues including starlings in North America.

Whimsical!

A joyful book of nature, nurture and creativity...a whimsical window into one of Mozarts creative inspirations! Musical and magical, joyful and sorrowful, wild and witty! This book is a little gem shining a light into the connection between art, nature, man and bird.