This Friday marks the 250th anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birth, and everyone’s still trying to figure out how he did it. How did this man create such incredible works, and so many incredible works? Who was this man who practically invented the piano concerto as we know it? The San Francisco Chronicle‘s Joshua Kosman took a look at the conundrum recently and threw up his hands. The music and the man are separate, he concluded.

The British Library in London hopes Mozart’s musical diary can provide some insight. They’ve created an interactive version of the maestro’s handwritten notes and included 75 audio clips.

We think our 12-session class on Mozart’s symphonies and concertos will prove enlightening. Then there’s the Tokyo String Quartet’s celebratory concert this Saturday, featuring some of Mozart’s most sublime work for small ensembles. And in March, Charles Rosen will begin a lecture/concert series on Mozart. You can choose your own path to understanding the genius of Mozart.

[Tokyo String Quartet: 01/28/06]
[Mozart: The Symphonies and Concertos: 02/06/06]
[Charles Rosen: Mozart Within History: 03/02/06]