MOZART
This Short Talk Bulletin has been adapted from a paper, "The Sixth Liberal
Art," prepared by the late Worshipful Brother Fred W. Mindermann, Past Master of
Granite Lodge No. 119 of Haddam, Connecticut, for Masonic Research Lodge No.
104, F. & A.M., of Atlanta, Georgia in 1970. It is presented at this time
because of the number of recent inquires M.S.A. has received pertaining to
Mozart.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756 and died in Vienna in
1791 at the age of thirty-five. As a child he was known as a prodigy and genius
for among his accomplishments he played the piano at three, composed a
concerto at five, made his first concert tour of Europe at six, had his first
four violin sonatas published at eight, had his first symphonies played in
London at nine, and at fourteen he had written two comic operas and one opera
seria. Mozart is recognized as the greatest melodic genius of his time and was a
composer whose wide range of works included symphonies, sonatas, masses,
concertos, chamber music, piano music, and operas among which are "Don Giovanni"
and "The Magic Flute." He is remembered as a composer whose music culminated
much of what had gone on before and led the way for some that was to follow. In
addition, he was a genius in all areas of musical composition, a complete master
of form, and a master in expressing human emotions and spiritual feelings. When
only thirteen years of age, he was made concert master to the Archbishop
Schwatenbach of Salzburg, who recognized his genius and encouraged his triumphal
tour of Europe, where great honors were heaped upon him. The churches and
theaters where he performed were filled to overflowing. The Archbishop's
successor, von Collorado, was a man of a different stripe. Unartistic,
unappreciative, disapproved of those tours, and even refused permission to leave
Salzburg. Mozart resigned in 1772, returned to the service of the Archbishop von
Collorado in 1778, and in 1779 was made Court Organist. However, his relations
with the Archbishop increasingly worsened, and finally he left Salzburg for
good and settled in Vienna. A possible reference to his break with Roman
Catholicism and his belief that the highest possible human happiness could be
attained in a society governed by brotherly love, friendship, beauty, and
wisdom is expressed in the following excerpt from his "Little German Cantata:
"Oh break the fetters of this folly, Oh tear this blinding prejudicial veil,
Take off the former robe, which long has Rendered mankind sectarian."
and another excerpt from the "Little Masonic Cantata:" "Loudly herald our
great gladness, joyous instrumental sound, Let the echoes of these pillars in
each Brother's heart abound! For we dedicate this station by our golden chain of
Brothers, And the truest bond of hearts, that it shall our temple be."
In 1784 Mozart joined the Lodge "True Harmony of Spirits" and later the Lodge
"Charity" and finally the Lodge "New Crowned Hope." The impressions he
received were so profound and significant that on the 6th of April in 1785, his
father, Leopold Mozart, when on a visit to Vienna, became a member of his son's
Lodge, "New Crowned Hope." The song called "Gesellenreise" (Fellowcraft's
Journey) was composed at the occasion of the father being passed to the
Fellowcraft Degree. See the Masonic significance of the Lyrics:
"You, who now are risen higher unto Wisdom's high abode, Wander steadfast
higher, higher, Know, it is the noblest road. Only spirit without blight May
approach the source of Light."
Of all Masonic composers, Mozart appears to be the one who has written the
most on all types of Masonic subjects. Included here is music for the actual
ritual ceremony, music dedicated to the establishment of Lodges, music depicting
personal feelings of the Brotherhood and its meaning, and the Masonic music for
his father mentioned in the previous paragraph. "Oh You, Our New Leaders" was a
song written for the installation of the officers of a newly constituted Lodge
and was sung at the closing of the ceremonies. The text of the Lyrics
illustrates clearly the significance of the occasion.
"Oh you our new leaders, We thank you now for all your faith. Oh lead us ever
on paths of virtue, That all rejoice in the chain that ties us, The chain that
ties us unto better men And giveth sweetness to life's chalice, Gives sweetness
to the cup of life.
"And on the rungs of truth Let us approach the throne of Wisdom, That we may
reach its holiness, And that we of her crown may be worthy, Of we with Charity
drive out The jealousy of the profane.
Choir:
"The holy adjuration we also vow: To strive for perfection of our great
temple, To strive for perfection of our building great, To strive for perfection
of the temple, like you."
One of Mozart's noteworthy Masonic compositions was his Masonic Funeral
Music written on the death of the distinguished Freemason, Duke Georg August
of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and Count Franz Esterhazy, and played for the first time
on 17th November, 1785, in the Lodge 'Zur neugekroenten Hoffnung" (New Crowned
Hope). It is felt that the underlying melody probably stems from "The
Lamentations of Jeremiah," a very ancient melody found in Hebrew ritual. No
doubt one of the greatest Masonic works ever written is Mozart's "The Magic
Flute." It was first performed in Vienna in 1791. Written at age 35 shortly
before his death, it is a combination of simple German folk tunes and classic
operatic writing. The plot is one of political satire set against an Egyptian
background. It is said that this is the swan song of Austrian Freemasonry, for
in 1791 Kaiser Leopold prohibited Freemasonry in Austria. Thus the opera is
written as an apology and a confession of fidelity for Freemasonry, as a last
farewell to the Mason's ideals of freedom and forbearance. Since it would be
literally impossible for us to analyze the complete Magic Flute for you at this
time, we have selected one of the most popular arias which I am sure you can
associate with Masonic ritual. Behind this aria, "Oh Isis and Osiris" lies the
following story: Sorastro addresses the priests in tones of utmost solemnity,
telling them of the young initiate who waits at the North Gate seeking to throw
off the veil of Night and enter into the realm of Light. He assures them of
Tomino's ample specifications and promises that if the youth dies in the course
of his initiation he will speed to the courts of Isis and Osiris, there to enjoy
divine bliss. As the Orator-Priest and one of his colleagues go to conduct
Tomino within, Sorastro and the rest sing a solemn prayer to their tutelary
dieties.
"Oh Isis and Osiris, Favor This noble pair with Wisdom's light! Grant them
your aid in their endeavor, Lead them to find the path of right ! Let them be
strong against temptation, But if they fail in their probation, Do not their
virtue need deny, Take them to your abode on high."
It is interesting to note here that the melody of this song is one that is
found in the initiation rites of a popular American Music fraternity. Masons in
Europe, and especially in Austria, hold the memory of Brother Mozart in greatest
reverence. The foremost Masonic Research Lodge in Vienna is the "Soroastro
Club," taking the name from the principal character in "The Magic Flute," the
High Priest of the Temple of Isis. Truly "To live in the hearts of those we
leave behind is not to die. "
BlBLlOGRAPHY
I "Mozart & Masonry" Dr. Paul Nettl
2 "Music & Masonry" Dr. Paul Nettl
3.
"The Music" Pietro Berrl
4. "Famous Masons & Masonic Presidents" H.L. Haywood
5.
"Freemasonry & The Creative Arts" Dr. Herman B. Wells (The Indiana
Freemason-March, 1968)
6. " Brother Wolfgang Mozart, Master Mason, and The Magic
Flute" Wm. C. Blaine (The New AgeJune, 1968)
7. A.Q.C. Vol. 4, 1891, "Masonic
Musicians" Dr. W.A. Barrett
8. A.Q.C. Vol. 16, 1903, "Philo Musicians of
Architecturos Societas Apollini" R.F. Gould
9. A.Q.C. Vol. 26, 1913, "Brother
Mozart and Some of His Masonic Friends" Herbert Brodley
10. A.Q.C. Vol. 40,
1927, "Masonic Songs and Verses of the 18th Century" H. Poole
11. A.Q.C. Vol.
65, 1952, "Masonic Songs and Verses Books of the Late 18th Century" A. Sharp
12. A.Q.C. Vol. 69, 1956, "Mozart's Masonic Music" A. Sharp
13. A.Q.C. Vol. 69,
1956, "Mozart and his Contemporaries" E. Winterburgh 14. A.Q.C. Vol. 75, 1962, "Sibelius'
Masonic Ritual Music" A. Sharp
15. M.S.A. Short Talk Bulletin, Vol. 19, No. 8,
"Small Songs"
16. M.S.A. Short Talk Bulletin, Vol. 24, No. 9 "Great Songs"
17. M.S.A. Short Talk Bulletin, Vol. 25, No. 9, "Masonry & Music"
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