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Mozart's Starling
A charming story of Mozart and his pet starling, along with a natural history of the bird.
On May 27th, 1784, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart met a flirtatious little starling who sang (an improved version of!) the theme from his Piano Concerto Number 17 in G to him. Knowing a kindred spirit when he met one, Mozart wrote "That was wonderful" in his journal and took the bird home to be his pet. For three years Mozart and his family enjoyed the uniquely delightful company of the starling until one fitful April when the bird passed away.
In 2013, Lyanda Lynn Haupt, author of Crow Planet, rescued her own starling, Carmen, who has become a part of her family. In Mozart's Starling, Haupt explores the unlikely bond between one of history's most controversial characters and one of history's most notoriously disliked birds. Part natural history, part story, Mozart's Starling will delight readers as they learn about language, music, and the secret world of starlings.
A charming story of Mozart and his pet starling, along with a natural history of the bird.
On May 27th, 1784, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart met a flirtatious little starling who sang (an improved version of!) the theme from his Piano Concerto Number 17 in G to him. Knowing a kindred spirit when he met one, Mozart wrote "That was wonderful" in his journal and took the bird home to be his pet. For three years Mozart and his family enjoyed the uniquely delightful company of the starling until one fitful April when the bird passed away.
In 2013, Lyanda Lynn Haupt, author of Crow Planet, rescued her own starling, Carmen, who has become a part of her family. In Mozart's Starling, Haupt explores the unlikely bond between one of history's most controversial characters and one of history's most notoriously disliked birds. Part natural history, part story, Mozart's Starling will delight readers as they learn about language, music, and the secret world of starlings.
A charming story of Mozart and his pet starling, along with a natural history of the bird.
256 pages, ebook
First published April 4, 2017
767 people are currently reading
5,242 people want to read
About the author
Lyanda Lynn Haupt
9Ìýbooks441ÌýfollowersLyanda Lynn Haupt is a naturalist, eco-philosopher, and speaker whose writing is at the forefront of the movement to connect people with nature in their everyday lives. Her newest book is Mozart's Starling: /book/show/3...
“Mozart’s Starling is a delightful, enlightening, breathless flight through the worlds of Carmen and Star, two European starlings who join their human counterparts in exploring life and music and nature, helping to shed light on the connection between humans and birds--those of us bound to terra firma, and those of us who are free to soar.�
Garth Stein
NYT bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain and A Sudden Light
Lyanda's recent book, was widely praised and is available in paperback.
“A completely charming and informative book on the pleasures of keeping one’s eyes open.� -David Sedaris
“With her sensitivity, careful eye and gift for language, Haupt tells her tale beautifully, using crow study to get at a range of ever-deepening concerns about nature and our place within it, immersing us in a heady hybrid of science, history, how-to and memoir.� -Erika Schickel, Los Angeles Times
Lyanda’s first book, (Sasquatch, 2001), explores the relationship between humans, birds, and ecological understanding, and is a winner of the 2002 Washington State Book Award.
“Mozart’s Starling is a delightful, enlightening, breathless flight through the worlds of Carmen and Star, two European starlings who join their human counterparts in exploring life and music and nature, helping to shed light on the connection between humans and birds--those of us bound to terra firma, and those of us who are free to soar.�
Garth Stein
NYT bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain and A Sudden Light
Lyanda's recent book, was widely praised and is available in paperback.
“A completely charming and informative book on the pleasures of keeping one’s eyes open.� -David Sedaris
“With her sensitivity, careful eye and gift for language, Haupt tells her tale beautifully, using crow study to get at a range of ever-deepening concerns about nature and our place within it, immersing us in a heady hybrid of science, history, how-to and memoir.� -Erika Schickel, Los Angeles Times
Lyanda’s first book, (Sasquatch, 2001), explores the relationship between humans, birds, and ecological understanding, and is a winner of the 2002 Washington State Book Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 649 reviews
April 14, 2017
This was a really unique book, I've never read anything like it. The author raises a starling chick and writes about the experience while also interweaving in the story of Mozart and his starling as well as talking about people's hate for the starling. I really enjoyed the pictures of the starling because animal pictures are always a big hit with me and it was fun reading the experience of raising the chick. Also I didn't know about Mozart and his starling so that was cool. The book also made some good points about the ubiquitous hate against starlings and about conservation and invasive species. I don't see what the big deal is having the starlings here already, they're already here leave them alone. We literally go everywhere and run out the wild life, wouldn't that make us invasive species too? I don't see anyone bitching about how humans should have stayed in Africa. Things happen, if they're prolific here it's because they can survive well I don't see how we have the right to be annoyed about it. Nature isn't static it changes over time why is everyone so hell bent on preserving every animal and plant that can't survive on its own. I agree if it's our fault from like hunting or introducing new predators to the environment but you know still. Anyway the book was nice but I don't think the individual aspects came together as well as they were supposed to. It felt like there were three separate things going on through out the book and they didn't really do anything for each other. It felt a little scattered and I don't think putting in people from history we all know's opinions is a good way to make your point but that's just me.
August 20, 2021
Most books about pets seem to dwell on more common choices: dogs and cats being the most popular. This little gem came as a surprise to me. What could be more unique than a pet starling, right?
The author is a nature writer, a birdwatcher, and a committed wildlife advocate. While watching some starlings play outside her window, a story she had heard popped into her head: that of Mozart having a starling as a pet. And this random memory triggered a whole lot of action, culminating with this book.
You might be aware of starlings mainly for their magical murmurations. The sight of hundreds of thousands of them moving as one is bewitching to watch. But that's only one side of the story. You need to know the other side too, especially if you aren't much aware of birds in Western countries. Starlings are considered pests. If you Google for America's most hated bird, starlings come out as the winner. Lyanda Lynn Haupt herself concedes that starlings are a menace because of their huge numbers and the resultant problems because of their exploding population.
But...
Lyanda obtained a little starling for herself to see how Mozart might have been inspired by his pet. And her experience with this pet of hers proved to be unlike what she had ever imagined. Carmen, as her starling is named, turned out to be a wonderful, entertaining and intelligent companion, and still lives with the Haupt family.
The content looks into the great Wolfgang Mozart and how his pet starling might have impacted his life and his music. Mozart had discovered the starling in a Vienna pet shop, where the bird had somehow learned to sing the motif from his newest piano concerto. Enchanted, he bought the bird and kept it for three years before it died. While trying to analyse their relationship, Lyanda also tries to arrive at how the starling might have learnt the concerto.
Unlike what the title suggests, the book isn't limited to Mozart and his pet. Rather, it is all about starlings. The book presents both sides of these much-hated birds. How they are bad for the environment as well as how they are clever creatures with a great talent for mimicry. This content gets a tad too technical at times, but it is still a delight to an interested mind.
And finally, the book also presents Carmen's antics through various anecdotes peppered throughout the book, along with photographs. I loved these Carmen stories best of all. I've never been fond of the idea of having birds as pets. (This is especially because I've always seen them kept in cages.) Lyanda showed me how it is possible to have a healthy and happy bird at home without keeping it locked up in a cage. While it is still not an ideal situation for the bird, it's better than the alternative. The irony is that Carmen doesn't enjoy Mozart's music, though she loves other music and bluegrass is her favourite. So the author's original intention behind getting the starling went for a toss.
The three broad areas of content - Carmen's tales, Mozart's experience and insights about starlings - are not compartmentalized but interspersed with each other. This makes for an entertaining read because the moment the ornithological content becomes intense, either Mozart or Carmen comes as the breather.
You can make out the author's love for nature, especially for birds, throughout this book. The knowledge she offers into all things avian is amazing to read. Her sense of humour shines through in her recounting of Carmen's antics. Just how the starling learned Mozart’s piano motif is a wonderful musico-ornithological mystery. And Lyanda does her best to resolve this for us.
I enjoyed this book a lot, though it turned out a little different from what I had expected. I now see why starlings are considered a menace but I can also see the wonder of their talent. If you are a animal or bird lover, you might enjoy this offbeat read. It's not for everyone, but for those who enjoy animal-based nonfiction, it's a must.
Do note that there is some triggering content about how bird populations are kept in control or how they are made to learn how to sing.
4.25 stars from me.
***
Join me on the Facebook group, , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
The author is a nature writer, a birdwatcher, and a committed wildlife advocate. While watching some starlings play outside her window, a story she had heard popped into her head: that of Mozart having a starling as a pet. And this random memory triggered a whole lot of action, culminating with this book.
You might be aware of starlings mainly for their magical murmurations. The sight of hundreds of thousands of them moving as one is bewitching to watch. But that's only one side of the story. You need to know the other side too, especially if you aren't much aware of birds in Western countries. Starlings are considered pests. If you Google for America's most hated bird, starlings come out as the winner. Lyanda Lynn Haupt herself concedes that starlings are a menace because of their huge numbers and the resultant problems because of their exploding population.
But...
Lyanda obtained a little starling for herself to see how Mozart might have been inspired by his pet. And her experience with this pet of hers proved to be unlike what she had ever imagined. Carmen, as her starling is named, turned out to be a wonderful, entertaining and intelligent companion, and still lives with the Haupt family.
The content looks into the great Wolfgang Mozart and how his pet starling might have impacted his life and his music. Mozart had discovered the starling in a Vienna pet shop, where the bird had somehow learned to sing the motif from his newest piano concerto. Enchanted, he bought the bird and kept it for three years before it died. While trying to analyse their relationship, Lyanda also tries to arrive at how the starling might have learnt the concerto.
Unlike what the title suggests, the book isn't limited to Mozart and his pet. Rather, it is all about starlings. The book presents both sides of these much-hated birds. How they are bad for the environment as well as how they are clever creatures with a great talent for mimicry. This content gets a tad too technical at times, but it is still a delight to an interested mind.
And finally, the book also presents Carmen's antics through various anecdotes peppered throughout the book, along with photographs. I loved these Carmen stories best of all. I've never been fond of the idea of having birds as pets. (This is especially because I've always seen them kept in cages.) Lyanda showed me how it is possible to have a healthy and happy bird at home without keeping it locked up in a cage. While it is still not an ideal situation for the bird, it's better than the alternative. The irony is that Carmen doesn't enjoy Mozart's music, though she loves other music and bluegrass is her favourite. So the author's original intention behind getting the starling went for a toss.
The three broad areas of content - Carmen's tales, Mozart's experience and insights about starlings - are not compartmentalized but interspersed with each other. This makes for an entertaining read because the moment the ornithological content becomes intense, either Mozart or Carmen comes as the breather.
You can make out the author's love for nature, especially for birds, throughout this book. The knowledge she offers into all things avian is amazing to read. Her sense of humour shines through in her recounting of Carmen's antics. Just how the starling learned Mozart’s piano motif is a wonderful musico-ornithological mystery. And Lyanda does her best to resolve this for us.
I enjoyed this book a lot, though it turned out a little different from what I had expected. I now see why starlings are considered a menace but I can also see the wonder of their talent. If you are a animal or bird lover, you might enjoy this offbeat read. It's not for everyone, but for those who enjoy animal-based nonfiction, it's a must.
Do note that there is some triggering content about how bird populations are kept in control or how they are made to learn how to sing.
4.25 stars from me.
***
Join me on the Facebook group, , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
April 23, 2017
"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." from the publisher
First I was charmed, then delighted; then I felt educated, and finally, elevated. In beautiful language and uplifting insight, Mozart's Starling is my most unexpected find of the year. I loved every page.
The book is a wonderful blend of subjects. A nature study of the starling and its ability to mimic; a memoir of life with Carmen, the starling; a consideration of the creative life and person of composer Mozart, the beauty of his music and the depth of his personal philosophy; the interrelation of all living things--Haupt takes us on a continually deeper look into the human experience.
Haupt, a naturalist and birder, was inspired to verify the story of Mozart's pet starling which reportedly sang a line of his Piano Concerto no. 17 in G major. There were so many questions. How did the starling learn the music? What was the bird's role in Mozart's personal and creative life?
In America, starlings are held in disdain. What good could be associated with this bird? Haupt questioned.
So Haupt arranged to adopt a baby starling to learn more about the species and their rare ability to mimic. Carmen is a wonderful character and helps us understand why pet birds were so popular in 18th c Europe.
We follow the author to Europe, into Mozart's home, searching for his final resting place. She upends many myths about the composer, such as the pauper's grave. Her portrait of the composer is sensitive and insightful.
This is a beautiful, uplifting book. I heartily recommend it.
First I was charmed, then delighted; then I felt educated, and finally, elevated. In beautiful language and uplifting insight, Mozart's Starling is my most unexpected find of the year. I loved every page.
The book is a wonderful blend of subjects. A nature study of the starling and its ability to mimic; a memoir of life with Carmen, the starling; a consideration of the creative life and person of composer Mozart, the beauty of his music and the depth of his personal philosophy; the interrelation of all living things--Haupt takes us on a continually deeper look into the human experience.
Haupt, a naturalist and birder, was inspired to verify the story of Mozart's pet starling which reportedly sang a line of his Piano Concerto no. 17 in G major. There were so many questions. How did the starling learn the music? What was the bird's role in Mozart's personal and creative life?
In America, starlings are held in disdain. What good could be associated with this bird? Haupt questioned.
So Haupt arranged to adopt a baby starling to learn more about the species and their rare ability to mimic. Carmen is a wonderful character and helps us understand why pet birds were so popular in 18th c Europe.
We follow the author to Europe, into Mozart's home, searching for his final resting place. She upends many myths about the composer, such as the pauper's grave. Her portrait of the composer is sensitive and insightful.
This is a beautiful, uplifting book. I heartily recommend it.
May 26, 2021
As I write I'm listening to Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 17 in G. So lovely. Such movement and joy! This piece was finished in 1784, April. First performance of it was scheduled for June of that year. He'd kept that piece under wraps - it wasn't out there and known in the world yet. There was an allegretto in that piece that Mozart particularly liked, and when walking one day he heard out in the world. He followed the sound of it. He noted it in his notebook, the allegretto coming from the throat of a starling, in a cage was almost note for note his allegretto. He whistled, the bird echoed. He purchased "Vogelstar" and they were bosom buddies for the 3 years the bird lived. At his death, Mozart wrote an elegy to his feathered friend.
Mozart's Starling was an enlightening read, partly about the author who adopted an abandoned baby starling, comparing her experience with Mozart's and how the respective starlings influenced the work and lives of their caregivers for the greater good of the world in general.
The writing is thoughtful and tender - mindful of the small, unexpected gifts life puts in our way through means that are very specific to our own individual interests . . .aimed at the "ears" with which we "hear" in our own ways. A mix of biography, science, natural observations, philosophy and music. Is there a better mix?
I think not. Any murmuration of starlings will show you the swirl of such an enchanting mix. I recommend this feathered read. . .slip it between fiction, thrillers, sci fi, fantasy for something completely different. . .and put on some Mozart as you read. . .
Mozart's Starling was an enlightening read, partly about the author who adopted an abandoned baby starling, comparing her experience with Mozart's and how the respective starlings influenced the work and lives of their caregivers for the greater good of the world in general.
The writing is thoughtful and tender - mindful of the small, unexpected gifts life puts in our way through means that are very specific to our own individual interests . . .aimed at the "ears" with which we "hear" in our own ways. A mix of biography, science, natural observations, philosophy and music. Is there a better mix?
I think not. Any murmuration of starlings will show you the swirl of such an enchanting mix. I recommend this feathered read. . .slip it between fiction, thrillers, sci fi, fantasy for something completely different. . .and put on some Mozart as you read. . .
February 7, 2017
Having just read Bernd Heinrich's wonderful book "One Bird at a Time" which contained a chapter about a Starling who befriended the author (actually flew onto his hand and allowed himself to be taken home) and spent a winter at his house (and which also contained an antidote about Mozart's pet Starling), I was excited when my lovely librarian wife brought home an ARC of this book this weekend from the ALA conference in Atlanta.
It turned out to be a wonderful book about Mozart, Starlings, music, language (both avian and human) and the author's pet Starling named Carmen. Like all good books it was both an enjoyable and entertaining read as well as a thoughtful discussion on a wide variety of topics. The premise is that the author knew of the Mozart story and wished to write about it and felt that it would be beneficial if she could also have a Starling as a pet. If you enjoy birds, music, Mozart or history you will find something to love in this well written book. This book releases in May of 2017 and I highly recommend you get a copy and read it.
I went back and read the short chapter in Heinrich's book and discovered that the experiences that he had with his Starling in some ways matched those of Haupt's. It will make me more appreciative of Starlings when I see them in the wild - since like many of us I typically see these birds as more of a nuisance than your typical songbird. I am also going to get copies of Haupt's other books in the near future. I had heard of several of them before and they were on my radar, but after reading this book I will definitely add them to my reading list.
It turned out to be a wonderful book about Mozart, Starlings, music, language (both avian and human) and the author's pet Starling named Carmen. Like all good books it was both an enjoyable and entertaining read as well as a thoughtful discussion on a wide variety of topics. The premise is that the author knew of the Mozart story and wished to write about it and felt that it would be beneficial if she could also have a Starling as a pet. If you enjoy birds, music, Mozart or history you will find something to love in this well written book. This book releases in May of 2017 and I highly recommend you get a copy and read it.
I went back and read the short chapter in Heinrich's book and discovered that the experiences that he had with his Starling in some ways matched those of Haupt's. It will make me more appreciative of Starlings when I see them in the wild - since like many of us I typically see these birds as more of a nuisance than your typical songbird. I am also going to get copies of Haupt's other books in the near future. I had heard of several of them before and they were on my radar, but after reading this book I will definitely add them to my reading list.
October 11, 2017
The first half of this book was a solid 4 stars. While the story revolves around Carmen (the writer's pet starling) instead of Mozart's Starling, it was still a fascinatingly written exploration of starling ability and the way they fit into our historical and current social landscape. Haupt contrasts the disdain felt towards starlings today with the more positive attitude towards these birds in Mozart's time. She makes well researched arguments about starling's abilities and the possible influence starlings might have had on Mozart's life, and supports any conclusions or extensions to existing theories with anecdotes and observations gained through living with Carmen. The writing was engaging and fast paced- Haupt makes the research she uses approachable and understandable to readers, even if they don't have an enthusiasm for birds or for classical music.
Unfortunately, the second half of the book dropped in quality for me. I found myself struggling to get through chapters as her writing became less engaging, as Haupt spends more time philosophizing about the inter-connectivity of the universe than talking about anything related to Carmen or Mozart. While her conclusions and suggested theories in the first half were supported by research, the assertions made in the second half pull less on research and more on her own experiences meditating in the woods or visiting various spots that Mozart lived in (and discussing how her expectations were or, more often it seemed, weren't met). There were times where I had to stop and ask myself "what is happening here?," as the second half has a much looser structure than the first half. It seems like the writer got lost in her own book, and had forgotten where she was headed. Entire chapters could have been removed without significantly detracting from the main narrative.
That being said, I still did enjoy this book (especially the first half), and think that the second half would have been less disappointing to me if I hadn't had such high expectations based on the hype this book was getting. The topic is interesting, and I feel like I learned a great deal about both Mozart and starlings.
3 out of 5 stars
Unfortunately, the second half of the book dropped in quality for me. I found myself struggling to get through chapters as her writing became less engaging, as Haupt spends more time philosophizing about the inter-connectivity of the universe than talking about anything related to Carmen or Mozart. While her conclusions and suggested theories in the first half were supported by research, the assertions made in the second half pull less on research and more on her own experiences meditating in the woods or visiting various spots that Mozart lived in (and discussing how her expectations were or, more often it seemed, weren't met). There were times where I had to stop and ask myself "what is happening here?," as the second half has a much looser structure than the first half. It seems like the writer got lost in her own book, and had forgotten where she was headed. Entire chapters could have been removed without significantly detracting from the main narrative.
That being said, I still did enjoy this book (especially the first half), and think that the second half would have been less disappointing to me if I hadn't had such high expectations based on the hype this book was getting. The topic is interesting, and I feel like I learned a great deal about both Mozart and starlings.
3 out of 5 stars
January 5, 2018
If you love birds and/or music (especially Mozart), this will likely charm you. If you don't particularly care about either, it may not. As an enthusiastic birdwatcher and bird feeder, I did enjoy Haupt's tale of her hand-caught and raised starling, Carmen. Starlings are smart, personable, funny, vocal and quite delightful one-on-one, rather like the author, I think - Haupt and Carmen are both good company. Haupt is very good at covering acres of biological and ornithological research in a bright, accessible way. She explains vividly the history of the starling's misguided introduction into North America and the ensuing ecological disaster they have become, and while she loves HER starling, she very much wishes there were no others around. Oddly, she does not touch on the fact that the starling population in Europe has crashed to the extent that they are now listed as endangered there, and that they are actually starting to decline here as well (I haven't had a starling at my backyard feeders in several years; I used to host flocks of dozens at a time).
The weakness of the book is that while she starts from the sweet story of Mozart's pet starling (purchased because it allegedly could sing phrases from one of his concerti...which had not been published yet), her attempts to carpenter Mozart and his music together with starlings and their biology and behaviors is a bit rickety. The book meanders, changes focus, skips ahead and back... it might have worked better as two separate long magazine articles: one on starlings, and one focused exclusively on the man-and-his-bird story. Each story is fun and enjoyable; trying to thread them into a coherent whole, less so.
The weakness of the book is that while she starts from the sweet story of Mozart's pet starling (purchased because it allegedly could sing phrases from one of his concerti...which had not been published yet), her attempts to carpenter Mozart and his music together with starlings and their biology and behaviors is a bit rickety. The book meanders, changes focus, skips ahead and back... it might have worked better as two separate long magazine articles: one on starlings, and one focused exclusively on the man-and-his-bird story. Each story is fun and enjoyable; trying to thread them into a coherent whole, less so.
January 31, 2018
I picked up this lovely little hardback at Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon, which claims to be the biggest bookstore in the world. It certainly seemed so to me! I wandered in it for hours and bought far too many books.
Lyanda Lynn Haupt is a naturalist and author with several books about birds under her belt. Mozart’s Starling � her fifth � was inspired by a beguiling anecdote about the 18th century composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The story goes that, in 1784, Mozart encountered a playful little starling in a Viennese shop who sang the theme from his Piano Concerto no. 17 in G major. Charmed, he brought the bird home to be his pet. For the next few years, the starling lived with the Mozart family, inspiring and amusing the famous composer.
Apparently, nowadays, starlings are seen as a nuisance. They gather in great squawking flocks, decimate crops, and fight other birds for food and nesting sites. I didn’t know this when I bought the book. All I knew is that starlings sometimes fly together in vast swirling clouds of motion that have been given the glorious name, a ‘murmuration�. I have always wanted to see a murmuration of starlings (I’ve watched a few on Youtube and they are just astonishing), and I love Mozart’s music, and so I bought the book to discover more.
A combination of natural history, biography and memoir (one of my favourite genres to read), Mozart’s Starling not only examines the story of Mozart and his pet bird, but also Lyandra Lynn Haupt’s own experiment with raising a baby starling. Cheeky, charming and clever, Carmen sings and whistles her way into Lyandra’s heart, and, I must say, into mine.
Lyanda Lynn Haupt is a naturalist and author with several books about birds under her belt. Mozart’s Starling � her fifth � was inspired by a beguiling anecdote about the 18th century composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The story goes that, in 1784, Mozart encountered a playful little starling in a Viennese shop who sang the theme from his Piano Concerto no. 17 in G major. Charmed, he brought the bird home to be his pet. For the next few years, the starling lived with the Mozart family, inspiring and amusing the famous composer.
Apparently, nowadays, starlings are seen as a nuisance. They gather in great squawking flocks, decimate crops, and fight other birds for food and nesting sites. I didn’t know this when I bought the book. All I knew is that starlings sometimes fly together in vast swirling clouds of motion that have been given the glorious name, a ‘murmuration�. I have always wanted to see a murmuration of starlings (I’ve watched a few on Youtube and they are just astonishing), and I love Mozart’s music, and so I bought the book to discover more.
A combination of natural history, biography and memoir (one of my favourite genres to read), Mozart’s Starling not only examines the story of Mozart and his pet bird, but also Lyandra Lynn Haupt’s own experiment with raising a baby starling. Cheeky, charming and clever, Carmen sings and whistles her way into Lyandra’s heart, and, I must say, into mine.
July 14, 2017
Main take-aways from this book for me are 1) starlings are not the devil. Yes invasive, but we can alter our landscapes to discourage their roosting and lessen their numbers in humane ways. 2) Pigeons, despite being introduced to America via settlers as food sources, are not considered invasive. Weird, cuz I see WAAAAY more of them then any other bird I feel. 3) Starlings are close to endangered in Europe. Go figure. Maybe we should get endangered species and introduce them into not their natural habitat and they'll thrive? Reverse psychology!
This was a great little book, which deftly wove Mozart, his life, music and starling, the history and current lives of starlings in both America and Europe and the author with her starling Carmen. The author went a bit too philosophical and "we are the world with animals" for me at times, but it wasn't a huge annoyance, just made this a great book rather than a fantastic, re-read book. Which isn't knocking the book at all, just didn't work for me as well as for others maybe. 4 solid stars. I would recommend it if you are a nature or Mozart lover.
My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
This was a great little book, which deftly wove Mozart, his life, music and starling, the history and current lives of starlings in both America and Europe and the author with her starling Carmen. The author went a bit too philosophical and "we are the world with animals" for me at times, but it wasn't a huge annoyance, just made this a great book rather than a fantastic, re-read book. Which isn't knocking the book at all, just didn't work for me as well as for others maybe. 4 solid stars. I would recommend it if you are a nature or Mozart lover.
My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
March 26, 2018
"In conservation circles, starlings are easily the most despised birds in all of North America, and with good reason."
"Common, invasive, aggressive, reviled. Starlings don't just lie beneath our notice, the sentiment runs, they are actually undeserving of our notice."
I have been birding nearly two years and I did not realize that starlings held this much disdain. Well, I just received an extensive education on starlings, as the author uses these birds as informative and entertaining bookends: In 1784, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, heard a starling singing a fragment of one his compositions, as he passed a pet store. He purchased the bird and kept it as a close companion for the next three years. When Haupt decided to write about Mozart and “Carmen�, his beloved starling, she picked up a baby starling herself, raised it and studied it, while working on this book.
This is an ambitious project, as we get plenty of Mozart history, nuggets about conservation and nature and a complete showcase of the reviled starling.
She is a smart and engaging writer, with a good sense of humor. She has also done her homework. A joy to read.
-A Starling Murmuration
"Common, invasive, aggressive, reviled. Starlings don't just lie beneath our notice, the sentiment runs, they are actually undeserving of our notice."
I have been birding nearly two years and I did not realize that starlings held this much disdain. Well, I just received an extensive education on starlings, as the author uses these birds as informative and entertaining bookends: In 1784, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, heard a starling singing a fragment of one his compositions, as he passed a pet store. He purchased the bird and kept it as a close companion for the next three years. When Haupt decided to write about Mozart and “Carmen�, his beloved starling, she picked up a baby starling herself, raised it and studied it, while working on this book.
This is an ambitious project, as we get plenty of Mozart history, nuggets about conservation and nature and a complete showcase of the reviled starling.
She is a smart and engaging writer, with a good sense of humor. She has also done her homework. A joy to read.
-A Starling Murmuration
January 12, 2022
[11 Jan 2022]
This is a charming book. A little bit biography of Mozart, but focusing on his relationship with his pet starling. A little bit nature study of starlings. A lot about the author's relationship with her own pet starling and her search for information about Mozart and his bird. It's a quick read and interesting, but some passages got a little tedious. Most fascinating to me were the details about the vocalizations and mimicry of the starlings. Probably not a reread candidate, but I would recommend it to anyone interested in birds.
This is a charming book. A little bit biography of Mozart, but focusing on his relationship with his pet starling. A little bit nature study of starlings. A lot about the author's relationship with her own pet starling and her search for information about Mozart and his bird. It's a quick read and interesting, but some passages got a little tedious. Most fascinating to me were the details about the vocalizations and mimicry of the starlings. Probably not a reread candidate, but I would recommend it to anyone interested in birds.
March 6, 2025
El 27 de mayo de 1784 Mozart compró en una tienda vienesa un estornino que cantaba una de sus melodÃas. Durante tres años vivieron juntos, y tan intensa fue la relación que, a la muerte del pájaro, el compositor le hizo a este una despedida por todo lo alto, algo que contrasta con el hecho de que Mozart no asistiera al funeral de su padre, celebrado unos meses antes. Es en esta relación tan especial en la que indaga la autora, lo que, por ejemplo, nos permite descubrir que una de las obras de Mozart posee una fuerte semejanza con los cantos de estas aves. Pero esto es solo una parte de lo que encontramos en el libro, y no la mayor parte.
Para entender mejor el vÃnculo que hubo entre el compositor y el pequeño pájaro, Lyanda L. Haupt adoptó una crÃa de estornino y la llevó a casa. La criaturita, a la que llamó Carmen, resultó ser una compañera inteligente y social hasta extremos insospechados por Lyanda, y, para su decepción poco afÃn a la música de Mozart. Esta es otra parte de lo que encontramos en el libro: la belleza y la locura de tener un estornino en tu vida, las anécdotas y los descubrimientos que se producen en una relación de amor y búsqueda de entendimiento.
Por último, el libro también nos habla de los estorninos desde un punto de vista cientÃfico (por ejemplo, explicándonos sus cantos) y social (por ejemplo, denunciando el odio que mucha gente siente hacia ellos por su gran número y por ser aves introducidas en ciertas zonas del planeta).
Estas partes que comento no están separadas en bloques, sino que se entremezclan para ofrecer un firme conjunto.
Un libro que recomendarÃa a amantes de las aves y de la música, también a curiosos en general. Es muy ameno y se lee en menos de lo que dura un preludio 😊
Para entender mejor el vÃnculo que hubo entre el compositor y el pequeño pájaro, Lyanda L. Haupt adoptó una crÃa de estornino y la llevó a casa. La criaturita, a la que llamó Carmen, resultó ser una compañera inteligente y social hasta extremos insospechados por Lyanda, y, para su decepción poco afÃn a la música de Mozart. Esta es otra parte de lo que encontramos en el libro: la belleza y la locura de tener un estornino en tu vida, las anécdotas y los descubrimientos que se producen en una relación de amor y búsqueda de entendimiento.
Por último, el libro también nos habla de los estorninos desde un punto de vista cientÃfico (por ejemplo, explicándonos sus cantos) y social (por ejemplo, denunciando el odio que mucha gente siente hacia ellos por su gran número y por ser aves introducidas en ciertas zonas del planeta).
Estas partes que comento no están separadas en bloques, sino que se entremezclan para ofrecer un firme conjunto.
Un libro que recomendarÃa a amantes de las aves y de la música, también a curiosos en general. Es muy ameno y se lee en menos de lo que dura un preludio 😊
July 29, 2024
Strolling the streets of Vienna, near his home, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's keen ear heard the sound of a starling echoing his recently written Piano Concerto no. 17 in G major from the inside of a local merchant. Mozart purchased the musically talented creature, which became his constant companion and likely muse for the next three years. Lyanda Lynn Haupt, a naturalist and eco-philosopher, came across the mention of Mozart's starling and decided to dig a little deeper to find out just how the starling might have affected his life and his music.
In order to truly research the topic and understand starlings, Haupt obtained a hatchling in a clandestine operation to rescue the tiny bird from ultimate doom. Starlings are generally overpopulated, invasive birds that are often killed at any age, but in this case, Haupt wanted to be able to study one up close to gain an understanding of the connection between the bird and Mozart's music. Carmen, Haupt's young starling, quickly became a part of the family. In this book, Haupt intertwines the story of Mozart's life, particularly the three years that he had Star (Haupt's name for Mozart's muse), along with her own story of Carmen and how the songbird enriched her own life.
In the vein of by , Mozart's Starling is part history, nature book, biography, and memoir and is a beautiful story about the music of nature and how nature can influence music.
In order to truly research the topic and understand starlings, Haupt obtained a hatchling in a clandestine operation to rescue the tiny bird from ultimate doom. Starlings are generally overpopulated, invasive birds that are often killed at any age, but in this case, Haupt wanted to be able to study one up close to gain an understanding of the connection between the bird and Mozart's music. Carmen, Haupt's young starling, quickly became a part of the family. In this book, Haupt intertwines the story of Mozart's life, particularly the three years that he had Star (Haupt's name for Mozart's muse), along with her own story of Carmen and how the songbird enriched her own life.
In the vein of by , Mozart's Starling is part history, nature book, biography, and memoir and is a beautiful story about the music of nature and how nature can influence music.
February 15, 2024
Lots going on here. Not enough is known about M's starling to build a book around, and reading over & over again about the antics of Haupt's Carmen gets old. But there are also explorations of the ideas of invasive species, non-human intelligences, the ineffable value and interconnectedness of all life, etc.
I need to try to find by .
...
According to a 2013 study from Trinity College in Dublin "birds live in the Matrix" as if they're in 'bullet time.' They perceive time at a faster pace and can get more done. Like the amazingly prolific Mozart.
"The UK's Royal Automobile Club even determined the most dangerous music to listen to while driving: Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries." Evidently the risk is not that the listener becomes overinvolved in the music or that the music itself is too fast, but that the ecstatic nature of the music interrupts drivers' normal sense of speed, causing them to unconsciously drive faster."
...
I have no ear for music, no training or feeling for it. But I will make time to listen to the above, and to Mozart's *A Musical Joke*, (K. 522) because it is the only Mozart that Carmen liked, and it's otherwise unpopular (many say unlistenable).
...
Mozart is also compared to Papageno from *The Magic Flute* I'll have to investigate that, too.
...
Overall, I have to say I'm disappointed. I really didn't learn much, nor do I feel much more enlightened on the themes. But it's an easy read, and maybe a less jaded reader would get more out of it.
I need to try to find by .
...
According to a 2013 study from Trinity College in Dublin "birds live in the Matrix" as if they're in 'bullet time.' They perceive time at a faster pace and can get more done. Like the amazingly prolific Mozart.
"The UK's Royal Automobile Club even determined the most dangerous music to listen to while driving: Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries." Evidently the risk is not that the listener becomes overinvolved in the music or that the music itself is too fast, but that the ecstatic nature of the music interrupts drivers' normal sense of speed, causing them to unconsciously drive faster."
...
I have no ear for music, no training or feeling for it. But I will make time to listen to the above, and to Mozart's *A Musical Joke*, (K. 522) because it is the only Mozart that Carmen liked, and it's otherwise unpopular (many say unlistenable).
...
Mozart is also compared to Papageno from *The Magic Flute* I'll have to investigate that, too.
...
Overall, I have to say I'm disappointed. I really didn't learn much, nor do I feel much more enlightened on the themes. But it's an easy read, and maybe a less jaded reader would get more out of it.
December 25, 2020
In the creatures that intertwine with our lives, those we see daily and those that watch us from urban and wild places - from between branches and beneath leaves and under eaves and stairwells and culverts and the sides of walks and pathways - we share everything. We share breath, and biology, and blood. We share our needs for food and water and shelter. We share the imperative to mate and to give new life and to keep our young safe and warm and fed. We share susceptibility to disease and the potential to suffer and an inevitable frailty in the face of these things. We share a certain death. We share everything, constantly, every moment of every day and night, across eons. And in this shared earthly living, when we give our attention to it, we find the basis of our compassion, and of our empathy for other creatures.
May 16, 2020
This is an enchanting book, about Mozart, music, language, birds, ecology, and philosophy, too, and the wondrous Intelligence all of our intelligences are a part of. The author's starling, Carmen, is a charming bird, loved by the author and her family, as Mozart loved his starling, whose name in not known. Beautifully written.
November 14, 2022
3.5 stars
Haupt is a devoted fan of both Mozart and the avian world, and found this a perfect subject to join her interests and share with the world in a great book. She researched Mozart's life and work, even travelling to Vienna in her quest to find out all she could about him and his little pet starling named Star. For the project, she also saved a starling chick whose nest was to be destroyed by the city, named her Carmen, and raised her to be a family pet. This little bird provided plenty of one-on-one personal information about living with a starling to supplement what life was probably like for the Mozarts while Star lived with them. Haupt provides plenty of history and science on starlings as well, and it all comes together in an enjoyable way.
I feel a little less enthusiastic about the narrator of this Audible Audio, though. While she is clear and easily understood, her rendition is robotic and reminded me of Siri on an iphone.
Haupt is a devoted fan of both Mozart and the avian world, and found this a perfect subject to join her interests and share with the world in a great book. She researched Mozart's life and work, even travelling to Vienna in her quest to find out all she could about him and his little pet starling named Star. For the project, she also saved a starling chick whose nest was to be destroyed by the city, named her Carmen, and raised her to be a family pet. This little bird provided plenty of one-on-one personal information about living with a starling to supplement what life was probably like for the Mozarts while Star lived with them. Haupt provides plenty of history and science on starlings as well, and it all comes together in an enjoyable way.
I feel a little less enthusiastic about the narrator of this Audible Audio, though. While she is clear and easily understood, her rendition is robotic and reminded me of Siri on an iphone.
Read
September 13, 2022It is said until we can communicate with another sentient species, we will never fully know what it is to be human. In the absence of “first contact�, we make do with pets and other animals. Mozart’s Starling by Lyanda Lynn Haupt is an account of a relationship between a human and a clever animal. In an effort to understand the impact of the starling Star on Mozart’s composition, Haupt adopted her own pet starling. Or, perhaps, in an effort to explore her relationship with the starling Carmen, Haupt began an exploration of the Star-Mozart pairing.
There are three threads to this book. As the title suggests, she delves into Mozart’s relationship with Star, painting a picture of a brilliant, funny and chaotic man. She suggests plausibly that Mozart’s Ein musikalischer Spaß K. 522 contains elements of the starling’s song.
The second thread is Haupt’s own confrontation with a starling. Despite her best efforts, this is almost wholly disconnected from the Mozart thread, and is actually the emotional core of the book. Starlings are a hated and despised species in North America (where they are known as rats with wings), and the ambiguity of her feelings (hating the birds collectively while falling for the clever and quirky Carmen) is explored with honesty and insight.
The third thread is again disconnected from the other two: an exploration of technical debates in linguistics (can birds be said to have language?), musicology (do songbirds produce music?) and the nature of consciousness. Though I found Haupt’s conclusions sentimental, she covers the technical issues fairly.
In some of the threading, I was reminded of the way Helen Macdonald combines personal grief, philosophy and an intense relationship with a bird in her H is For Hawk. But, where Macdonald’s book is an engine that thrums on its three cylinders, Haupt’s book is a jewelry box of separate trinkets.
There are three threads to this book. As the title suggests, she delves into Mozart’s relationship with Star, painting a picture of a brilliant, funny and chaotic man. She suggests plausibly that Mozart’s Ein musikalischer Spaß K. 522 contains elements of the starling’s song.
The second thread is Haupt’s own confrontation with a starling. Despite her best efforts, this is almost wholly disconnected from the Mozart thread, and is actually the emotional core of the book. Starlings are a hated and despised species in North America (where they are known as rats with wings), and the ambiguity of her feelings (hating the birds collectively while falling for the clever and quirky Carmen) is explored with honesty and insight.
The third thread is again disconnected from the other two: an exploration of technical debates in linguistics (can birds be said to have language?), musicology (do songbirds produce music?) and the nature of consciousness. Though I found Haupt’s conclusions sentimental, she covers the technical issues fairly.
In some of the threading, I was reminded of the way Helen Macdonald combines personal grief, philosophy and an intense relationship with a bird in her H is For Hawk. But, where Macdonald’s book is an engine that thrums on its three cylinders, Haupt’s book is a jewelry box of separate trinkets.
April 7, 2021
3.5 stars // While I listened to the audiobook, I preferred the print edition, in part, due to its inclusion of photos.
Our book club seemed to very much enjoy this. But the title is a bit misleading. Much of the book is about starlings in general, and about the author's relationship with her own starling. Haupt does well in researching Mozart and his bird, but, ultimately, there is more speculation than historical documentation. An enjoyable read nevertheless.
p. 173-5 : music can bend and change our perception of time
p. 182-3 : Mozart found an avian kindred spirit in his starling; aural possibility + playmate
Bird-like phrases, mischief, can be found in Mozart's music; "A Musical Joke" composition
Mozart had his starling for three years until it passed, at which point he planned a formal funeral and wrote a poem in memoriam. There is speculation that this may have been a farce, or, a grief substitution for his inability to attend his father's funeral, just two months prior. Perhaps it was a bit of both, in addition to being a sentimental tribute to his feathered friend.
Our book club seemed to very much enjoy this. But the title is a bit misleading. Much of the book is about starlings in general, and about the author's relationship with her own starling. Haupt does well in researching Mozart and his bird, but, ultimately, there is more speculation than historical documentation. An enjoyable read nevertheless.
p. 173-5 : music can bend and change our perception of time
p. 182-3 : Mozart found an avian kindred spirit in his starling; aural possibility + playmate
Bird-like phrases, mischief, can be found in Mozart's music; "A Musical Joke" composition
Mozart had his starling for three years until it passed, at which point he planned a formal funeral and wrote a poem in memoriam. There is speculation that this may have been a farce, or, a grief substitution for his inability to attend his father's funeral, just two months prior. Perhaps it was a bit of both, in addition to being a sentimental tribute to his feathered friend.
January 7, 2019
3.5 stars. A generally enjoyable, if light and not entirely satisfying read.
To be clear, I am not a music person. I am not incapable of enjoying it, but it is not important to me and not part of my life in the way it seems to be for most. I say that so you understand that I'm here for the starling, not for Mozart.
I don't read a great deal of this type of non-fiction. I expect there's a label for it, but I don't know what that is. My first impulse was to describe it as the cotton candy of non-fiction, airy but pleasurable. But on second thought, while cotton candy may mostly be empty space, the substance that is there is uniform and consistent, where as Mozart's Starling flits about from one topic to the next without getting too deeply into anything.
There were some bits that dwelt on strictly Mozart for too long or were too music oriented for too long and dragged a bit for me, but that's probably an issue for a rather restricted subset of this book's audience.
I was expecting something perhaps a bit more like but that's a much more intimate and somewhat sad book than Mozart's Starling.
Occasionally I found myself wanting much more on a subject. Pages 116-118 had a brief bit on Cartesian vs Rousseauian philosophy and changing attitudes toward nature, animals, and pets in the eighteenth century that certainly was not covered in any of my philosophy classes and frustrated me both with its brevity and complete lack of footnotes. The hell with the rest of this, give me a full book on that please.
Overall, I mostly enjoyed it, though I generally like a bit more information density in my non-fiction reading.
To be clear, I am not a music person. I am not incapable of enjoying it, but it is not important to me and not part of my life in the way it seems to be for most. I say that so you understand that I'm here for the starling, not for Mozart.
I don't read a great deal of this type of non-fiction. I expect there's a label for it, but I don't know what that is. My first impulse was to describe it as the cotton candy of non-fiction, airy but pleasurable. But on second thought, while cotton candy may mostly be empty space, the substance that is there is uniform and consistent, where as Mozart's Starling flits about from one topic to the next without getting too deeply into anything.
There were some bits that dwelt on strictly Mozart for too long or were too music oriented for too long and dragged a bit for me, but that's probably an issue for a rather restricted subset of this book's audience.
I was expecting something perhaps a bit more like but that's a much more intimate and somewhat sad book than Mozart's Starling.
Occasionally I found myself wanting much more on a subject. Pages 116-118 had a brief bit on Cartesian vs Rousseauian philosophy and changing attitudes toward nature, animals, and pets in the eighteenth century that certainly was not covered in any of my philosophy classes and frustrated me both with its brevity and complete lack of footnotes. The hell with the rest of this, give me a full book on that please.
Overall, I mostly enjoyed it, though I generally like a bit more information density in my non-fiction reading.
November 8, 2018
Given inspiration by a beguiling anecdote about the 18th century composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Lyanda Lynn Haupt adopted a starling of her own, Carmen, to live with her and her family.
August 25, 2019
The Good: Natural history, biography, and memoir framed by the story of Mozart’s pet bird and it’s species
The Bad: Often flits from topic to topic, with Mozart as more the inspiration than the core
The Literary: Favoring primary sources and a personal pilgrimage to Vienna
In 1784, in a little Viennese shop, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart adopted a flirtatious little starling who sang the theme from his Piano Concerto Number 17 in G . Little is known about the subsequent three years Mozart and his family spent with their pet starling, but upon the bird’s death Mozart held a lavish funeral.
During the research for her book, Lyanda Lynn Haupt rescued starling of her own. As a naturalist and master birder, adopting a pet bird may seem a logical progression, but in the United States, starlings are hated invasive creatures. They gather in great squawking flocks, decimate crops, and fight other birds for food and nesting sites. It is against the law to keep them as pets, and many bird lovers and Parks and Recreation departments alike hunt down adults and nests in droves. Like pigeons, as a species, they have no rights.
But starlings are bright, vocal, and charming. Unlike many song birds, they learn and mimic new sounds their entire life, which is likely how Mozart’s starling learned a line of his music. Starlings rival parrots in their ability to imitate other birds, musical instruments, and the human voice. Female starlings are also unique nesters and have interesting feeding and exploration habits.
Learning about starlings as a species is surprisingly insightful, especially in relation to our own history as Americans and the ensuing ecological crisis their introduction caused, but getting to know Lyanda’s starling, Carmen, is yet another facet of the story. Carmen becomes a member of Lyanda’s family, as most pets do. She loves music, but favors bluegrass over Mozart. She loves to explore, sometimes getting shut in a cabinet or the fridge, but must be accompanied to Lyanda’s second floor office because she’s scared of the stairs. When she learns a new sound, she makes it over and over again until it’s perfect, seemingly frustrated when she doesn’t get it right, from the coffee grinder to the cat’s meow to her morning greeting, “Hi Carmen!�
I picked this one up on a whim and am pleasantly surprised by it’s breadth. Recommended for anyone who has a passing interest in music or animal behavior!
readwellreviews.com
The Bad: Often flits from topic to topic, with Mozart as more the inspiration than the core
The Literary: Favoring primary sources and a personal pilgrimage to Vienna
In 1784, in a little Viennese shop, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart adopted a flirtatious little starling who sang the theme from his Piano Concerto Number 17 in G . Little is known about the subsequent three years Mozart and his family spent with their pet starling, but upon the bird’s death Mozart held a lavish funeral.
During the research for her book, Lyanda Lynn Haupt rescued starling of her own. As a naturalist and master birder, adopting a pet bird may seem a logical progression, but in the United States, starlings are hated invasive creatures. They gather in great squawking flocks, decimate crops, and fight other birds for food and nesting sites. It is against the law to keep them as pets, and many bird lovers and Parks and Recreation departments alike hunt down adults and nests in droves. Like pigeons, as a species, they have no rights.
But starlings are bright, vocal, and charming. Unlike many song birds, they learn and mimic new sounds their entire life, which is likely how Mozart’s starling learned a line of his music. Starlings rival parrots in their ability to imitate other birds, musical instruments, and the human voice. Female starlings are also unique nesters and have interesting feeding and exploration habits.
Learning about starlings as a species is surprisingly insightful, especially in relation to our own history as Americans and the ensuing ecological crisis their introduction caused, but getting to know Lyanda’s starling, Carmen, is yet another facet of the story. Carmen becomes a member of Lyanda’s family, as most pets do. She loves music, but favors bluegrass over Mozart. She loves to explore, sometimes getting shut in a cabinet or the fridge, but must be accompanied to Lyanda’s second floor office because she’s scared of the stairs. When she learns a new sound, she makes it over and over again until it’s perfect, seemingly frustrated when she doesn’t get it right, from the coffee grinder to the cat’s meow to her morning greeting, “Hi Carmen!�
I picked this one up on a whim and am pleasantly surprised by it’s breadth. Recommended for anyone who has a passing interest in music or animal behavior!
readwellreviews.com
September 1, 2018
4.5-5 stars. I loved this charming book that covers such a wide range of topics within the framework of Mozart and starlings: the ecological nightmare of starlings vs. the endearing traits and habits of the individual starling Haupt lives with (and possibly, by extension, Mozart's little pet); Mozart's music and life situated within historical context; starling habits and adaptations; an overview of the linguistic study of language acquisition and theories of language, with fascinating information about the Piraha people -- new since I studied linguistics and anthropology; historical training of mimic birds; the perception of time; correlations between bird song and music; the overlap of music with astronomy and mathematics; murmurations....Haupt writes in a style that has the interesting weaving of academic topics into a lived, day-to-day story that you get with Sarah Vowell or Bill Bryson mixed with the warm, homey, quietly marveling feel of Catherine Newman--there's a little less laugh-out-loud humor than with those authors, but it's not hurting in that difference. You can even cue up a playlist to listen to as you read--if you start Mozart's A Musical Joke (K. 522) when she starts discussing it and keep listening/reading, the Joke will still be playing while you read about Mozart's fart jokes and riddles.
January 5, 2019
Although some of the passages about Mozart's life with the starling sounded more imaginative than credible, she did some engaging and cogent myth-busting about Mozart's relationship with his father and his own death. She swept me off my feet, though, with her chapter on the music of the spheres, especially on murmuration (cloud-like flocks of starlings, a word evoking the sound of their wings). She succeeded in what she hopes creative work does "to show the wild imperfect harmony of the world we inhabit; to draw us into the song."
March 12, 2021
Haupt has lovingly written more than I care to know about starlings. I’m moved to wonder whether Mozart would have enjoyed reading this book.
On the other hand, the author is benignly reflective and she lavishly probes the relationships and understandings that we share with birds and other creatures.
Haupt envisions two worlds for human beings:
“One world is marked by a bland forgetfulness, where we do not permit ourselves an openness to the simple, graced beauty that is always with us. The other is marked by attentiveness, aliveness, love. This is the state of wonder, which is commonly treated as a passive phenomenon—a kind of visitation or feeling that overcomes us in the face of something wondrous. But the ground of the word, the Old English wundrian, is very active, meaning ‘to be affected by one’s own astonishment.� We decide, moment to moment, if we will allow ourselves to be affected by the presence of this brighter world in our everyday lives.�
Read more of my book reviews and poems here:
On the other hand, the author is benignly reflective and she lavishly probes the relationships and understandings that we share with birds and other creatures.
Haupt envisions two worlds for human beings:
“One world is marked by a bland forgetfulness, where we do not permit ourselves an openness to the simple, graced beauty that is always with us. The other is marked by attentiveness, aliveness, love. This is the state of wonder, which is commonly treated as a passive phenomenon—a kind of visitation or feeling that overcomes us in the face of something wondrous. But the ground of the word, the Old English wundrian, is very active, meaning ‘to be affected by one’s own astonishment.� We decide, moment to moment, if we will allow ourselves to be affected by the presence of this brighter world in our everyday lives.�
Read more of my book reviews and poems here:
March 12, 2024
What a fabulous book this is! Even if you’re not a lover of classical music and birding, as I am, you may still appreciate this incredible story. Mozart had a pet starling that he kept for three years, until its demise. Mozart was very fond of this bird, which could sing in tune to some of the composer’s music. The author, likewise, raised a starling of her own, trying to get into the mind of Mozart, in his appreciation of his pet, and some of the joy the starling, in turn, gave to him. In the meantime, the author waxes philosophical on the relationship of birds with mankind, the effect of birdsong on music, and gives a beautiful insight on the interaction and interdependence of all species, including humans. Beautifully written, beautifully reported.
October 5, 2022
Lyanda took us through a rhythm of her relationship with Carmen and the uncanny connection to Mozart, his wonderment and gift. I highly recommend this book in hopes it brings you to center and enjoy the relationships, quirks and all, with those humans and animals that surround you.
April 17, 2025
I loved this book! It was a delightful read. I now wish I could have my very own little Star or Carmen. 🥰
January 23, 2021
These chapters range over a wide variety of topics, some only remotely connected to the subject of Mozart and starlings, almost to the extent of trying readers' patience. I thought, "This would have been better if distilled into a magazine article; the author has added all this extraneous stuff just to stretch it out to book length." Ultimately however, her curiosity, enthusiasm, and sincerity in really caring about birds and music save the day. She shares fascinating facts and insights about both Mozart and starlings.
I also care deeply about birds: as a vegan, I help save not only chickens and turkeys but also, by using far less cropland, I save considerable habitat area for wild birds. And I too am a musician: I played in a band for years and loved it. However I would draw the line at poop in my hair and keyboard . . .
I also care deeply about birds: as a vegan, I help save not only chickens and turkeys but also, by using far less cropland, I save considerable habitat area for wild birds. And I too am a musician: I played in a band for years and loved it. However I would draw the line at poop in my hair and keyboard . . .
August 11, 2023
This book is not specifically about Mozart’s Starling. It is about Starlings and about Mozart.
The author talks about her relationship with her own starling but I would have preffered more emphasis on Mozart and the one he owned. The problem however is everyone was thinking and writing about Mozarts music and not his starling so information about it is scarce.
I liked how it told about Mozart writing “Requiem� as his final piece of music and that it turned out to be his swan song. ( probably to the chagrin of his starling if it wasn’t already dead)
The author talks about her relationship with her own starling but I would have preffered more emphasis on Mozart and the one he owned. The problem however is everyone was thinking and writing about Mozarts music and not his starling so information about it is scarce.
I liked how it told about Mozart writing “Requiem� as his final piece of music and that it turned out to be his swan song. ( probably to the chagrin of his starling if it wasn’t already dead)
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