In 1784, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart encountered a caged starling who sang an improvised version of the theme from his Piano Concerto no. 17 in G major. Captivated, Mozart purchased the bird, and for the next three years the starling lived with him, influencing his work and serving as his companion.
Mozart’s Starling explores the fascinating and unlikely bond between one of the world’s great composers and this commonest of birds. Writer Lyanda Haupt intertwines her own experience with a rescued baby starling to explore the human-animal bond, the secret world of starlings, the nature of creative inspiration, and our place in the world.The DBC Book Club’s next read is
The Book Club will meet Thursday September 4. For details on the meeting, contact Mike Warner at mwarner2543@gmail.com.