MEETINGS WITH MOZART PUBLISHED

 

(Above: William Charlton-Perkins. Pic by John Walton)

 

Music columnist William Charlton-Perkins’ passion for Mozart shines in his debut novel.

Mozart's genius, fiery energy, wonderful sense of fun and extraordinary musical output make for a fascinating life story. Meetings with Mozart taps into that with a parallel modern story focusing on Mozart's own credo: "Neither a lofty degree of intelligence, nor imagination, nor both together, go to the making of genius. Love, Love, Love. That is the soul of genius."

Horace, a retired opera director, engages with a group of Mozart enthusiasts to help them discover his idol’s profound contribution to humanity – love. Set in eastern South Africa, with its lush midlands, soaring mountains and arid bushveld, Meetings with Mozart vividly evokes the sense of time and place of its milieu: the fragrance of its flora, the music of its birdcalls, the torrential storms of its summers. The narrative interweaves the high – and the low – points of Mozart’s life and his music genius, with the lives of present-day characters.

South African–born William Charlton-Perkins has worked variously as a journalist, columnist, copywriter and publicist over the past four decades. While his focus and forté have always been in the performing arts, he has also worked at the Natal Parks Board, producing feature articles for Getaway and various other magazines, writing a centennial book for Struik Publishers on the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, and contributing eight pieces to Off the Beaten Track – Day Drives in Southern Africa, published by Readers Digest. He has produced a number of plays under the banner of his company, Copy Dog Productions; The Mercury Newspaper in Durban carried his bi-monthly Classical Notes column for more than three decades.

William is widely recognised as one of South Africa’s eminent opera connoisseurs, having played a major role in setting the standard for the publicity and review of opera over the decades. His experience has been recognised internationally, amongst others by the London-based company, Opera Rara.

He grew up with his three siblings in the Natal Midlands, in a home that brimmed with their parents’ passion for gardening and the arts – passions he inherited. An ex-marathon runner, with 10 ultra marathons to his credit, William is an English Literature Honours graduate (University of Natal) and a lapsed amateur pianist who has regarded Mozart as his musical deity since childhood. So, it is perhaps inevitable that Meetings with Mozart should be his debut novel.

William lives within a magical garden in the coastal town of Knysna with four dogs, where he approaches his ‘senior’ years with as little reverence as possible.

“My decision to put pen to paper was sparked when I chanced upon a Facebook post by an expat friend, Joanne Smith, who emigrated to Perth in Australia decades ago. The post indicated that Jo had started a new career as a book editor. This led to an exchange of email and phone details, and within a week, I’d started my novel. Jo turned out to be a Rolls-Royce of an editor, just the ticket to keep me on the straight and narrow, and it seemed as if my manuscript virtually wrote itself.”

 

Media and readers' reviews speak for themselves.

 

“If Mozart ever had a farm in Africa, it would certainly have been in the idyllic Natal Midlands, brought memorably alive in this enchanting debut novel . . . An easy, delightful read in this hectic, strident world.” - Greg Landman, Writer, Magic Grape Tours

“A warm and informal exploration of Mozart’s life and work, playfully situated in a contemporary setting” - Kate Wakeling, BBC Music Magazine

“Modern hearts meet Mozart in an enchanting musical journey” - Beryl Eichenberger, Cape Argus

“The idea behind the story and its architecture is wonderful. There are volumes written on Mozart, but the approach here is totally original, and it all weaves together beautifully. Bravo!” -Philip Bovet Switzerland

“I took my time with Meetings with Mozart and found it took its time with me. I carried the characters around a bit, which is something of a judgment in itself – it’s always a good sign if one puts a book down but keeps thinking about it.” - Judi Parker Joubert, New Zealand

“The author’s evocative vignettes of the group and its characters, and Mozart’s life and his music, are effortlessly interwoven with a minimalist touch. The descriptions of places are painted with delicate strokes, and the protagonist’s lectures on Mozart’s life and music have been skilfully woven into the interpersonal dynamics of the group, easing readers’ capacity to absorb the commentary on Mozart’s genius. My love for Mozart’s music has taken a whole new dimension.” Wendy Nell. KZN

A limited stock of Meetings with Mozart is available at R360 per item. Add a Postnet Courier fee of R120, and the total is R480. 

Interested in purchasing this collector's first edition item, signed by the author? Simply WhatsApp call 069 300 3977 or email copydogwil@gmail.com