The Mozart Conspiracy

Former British Special Air Service officer Ben Hope is running for his life. Enlisted by Leigh Llewellyn--the beautiful, world-famous opera star and Ben's first love--to investigate her brother's mysterious death, Ben finds himself caught up in a puzzle dating back to the 1700s.

What could be so important about a piece of music people are willing to kill for it? Painted against the backdrop of history's most renowned composer. International assassins, the Mafia, and shadowy figures in the US government, all collide in the hunt for what will prove to be the most explosive musical discovery ever made.

David Webber is a man of prodigious musical talent—and prodigious alcohol consumption—who makes a meager living playing piano in a hotel bar. He's sure he's hit rock bottom. David doesn't realize, however, his boring, depressing life is about to get complicated—and dangerous. When David's college mentor is murdered and his music agent disappears, he becomes the prime suspect. David is hurled into a treacherous world of international assassins, underground crime, and shadowy figures in the US government. Could these events be linked to a few faded scribbles of music his mentor passed on to him years earlier? Two centuries after a chance meeting between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Benjamin Franklin, a washed-up piano player uncovers what might be the most explosive musical discovery ever made. But if David can't put all the pieces together, he could end up like Mozart: a dead musical genius. The Mozart Conspiracy is a thrilling historical conspiracy mystery in the spirit of Dan Brown'sThe Da Vinci Code. “A novel that runs unstoppable. A thrilling read!” —Thriller Magazine “A stylish debut for Phillip Swann…a gripping story, full of twists and turns, in which plot and mystery are the master.” —Book News

Theresa Schurman leads a double life, as a sweet, young Viennese girl from a respectable family, and as a the professional violinist Thomas Weissbrot, who performs in pickup orchestras throughout the Vienna of Haydn and Mozart. When she stumbles upon a murder on her way home from performing, and the dying man's last word is 'Mozart,' feisty Theresa decides to get to the bottom of it, and involves herself in a conspiracy that threads through the musical world of Vienna--from the lowest freelance musician all the way to the royal court.

What if Mozart did not die in 1791? Are really sure that this brilliant composer was buried in a pauper's grave as most people believe ? Was that likely? What if he was assisted by his Freemason brothers to come to England instead? Recently discovered documents seem to indicate that this is so and this book sets out how the documents were discovered and what happened as a result. An intriguing read for Mozart fans, and, indeed anyone else,

Titles in the Listener’s Companion Series provide readers with a deeper understanding of key musical genres and the work of major artists and composers. Aimed at nonspecialists, each volume clearly explains how to listen to works from particular artists, composers, and genres. Examining both the context in which the music appeared and its form, authors provide the environments in which key musical works were written and performed—from a 1950s bebop concert at the Village Vanguard to a performance of Handel’s Messiah in eighteenth-century Dublin. Wolfgang Amadé Mozart (1756–1791) remains as popular today as ever. His recordings fill iTunes playlists, and annual Mozart festivals are performed worldwide. His eminence as a musician has supported overseas guided tours, served as the subject of a cartoon series (Little Amadeus: twenty-nine episodes from 2006 to 2008), inspired movies and documentaries, and launched a French rock opera. In Experiencing Mozart: A Listener’s Companion, music historian David Schroeder illustrates how the issues Mozart cared about so deeply remain important to modern listeners. His views on politics, women, authority, and religion are provided, along with compelling analysis of selected great symphonies and sonatas, moving concertos and innovative keyboard works, and groundbreaking operas. Schroeder merges his vast knowledge of the great artist’s personal and professional life, late eighteenth-century European culture and society, and remarkable musicianship to guide listeners in the art of listening to Mozart. This work is an ideal introduction to readers and listeners at any level.

The newest international thriller from the author of "The Mozart Conspiracy" raises the stakes as ex-SAS operative and hero-for-hire Ben Hope returns to prevent an attack of biblical proportions.

FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR ‘Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . packs a real punch’ Andy McDermott

With his blockbuster bestselling novels The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, author Dan Brown introduced readers to a world of symbols and secret societies, men of God warring with men of Science, and the adventures of brilliant Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon. With The Lost Symbol, Brown has woven a complex web of intrigue, religion, technology, and great historical figures guiding the destiny of mankind. Inside, you will find the truth behind The Lost Symbol’s history and myths, such as: • The strength and influence of the enigmatic Freemasons throughout history • The founding fathers of the United States—and their possible connections with secret organizations such as the Illuminati and the Templars • The meaning within the symbols of the Great Seal of the United States • The identity of the Masonic "Great Architect of the Universe" • And so much more! For armchair historians and devoted fans—or those who want to know where the line is drawn between fact and fiction—this is the ultimate guide to the mysteries, symbolism, and historical contexts of Dan Brown’s thrilling novel. Includes 8 pages of photos and illustrations!