Search - Leo Heppe, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Peter Maag :: Mozart: The Complete Masonic Music

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 11/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"MOZART: THE CATHOLIC AND THE FREEMASON FOUND BOTH POSITIONS VIABLE AND INDEED WELCOME, WHICH IS BEST ILLUSTRATED BY THE FACT THAT IN HIS OPERA 'THE MAGIC FLUTE' HE MADE USE OF MASONIC RITUAL SYMBOLS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME COMPOSING THE 'REQUIEM MASS'. For Mozart, the two systems of thought were two concentric spheres: Masonry involving a striving for moral purification, labor for the good of mankind, intimacy with death; Catholicism embodying the striving for spiritual ends, absolution for sin, assurances of salvation in the life after death.



Mozart was an active member of his lodge, and composed no less than ten separate works for use in lodge ceremonies, and other compositions have been added to that list by the accretion of conventional practice.



Five of the works on these discs are instrumental and GLORIOUS and are played skillfully; moreover the very interesting and varied combinations make for an interesting listening experience. My favorite of these is: 'Adagio and Fugue im C minor' K546 for flute, oboe, viola, cello and celesta. This highly dramatic piece shows the effect of studying Bach's counterpoint on Mozart's imagination and presages several of Beethoven's rhetorical devices.



The remaining selections are all vocal and again in various combinations accompanied either by organ or orchestra. There are several vocal solos as well as all-male and mixed choirs. To pinpoint two of my personal favorites: Cantata "Dir, Seele des Weltalls"K429 for Boy soprano, Male Choir and orchestra. Mozart probably composed this cantata on commission for a Masonic celebration to which non-members were invited. Be that as it may, I found the voices to be very pleasing, particularly that of the boy soprano. There is something audibly attractive when boy sopranos are combined with an all-male group. But the 'Brits' have known that for centuries!!!



Another selection that I particularly like is Cantata: 'Die Maurerfreude,-'Sehen Wie, Dem Starren Forscheralauge'. This cantata was composed in April 1785 in honor of Ignaz Born, the Grand Master of the Lodge of True Harmony. Mozart set this for Male Chorus, tenor, and a chamber orchestra consisting of a clarinet, 2 oboes, 2 horns, and strings. The opening theme of Mozart's Concerto #4 for French Horn and Orchestra bears a relationship to the main theme of this cantata. Einstein describes it as 'at once heroic and mild-humane.'



This recording of Mozart's complete Masonic music was made at a special commemorative Masonic festival held on December 4/5, 1966. The time was specifically selected to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Mozart's death. There is little virtue in discussing the merits of the music; it is Mozart almost on his deathbed writing music inspired by an ethic which touched the central fiber of his being.



The two discs included in this package contain some of the most inspiring music that this GREAT composer wrote. There is really something for everyone (who likes Mozart, and WHO doesn't?)to enjoy. The Choir and Orchestra of the Vienna Volksoper under the direction of Peter Maag is excellent."

Spirited Performances

Peter P. Fuchs | Washington, DC | 11/16/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent set with snappy performances of some of the great Masonic choruses. The best is still the old

Bernhard Paumgartner Mozarteum LP (Epic) which I'm not sure was ever was on CD. Paumgartner's Laut verkunde

is much more exciting than Maag's. But still in most ways the Maag is superior to the Istvan Kertezs set, so if one wanted a good CD of the music this might be the one."

Mozart Masonic Music plus

Douglas C. Miller MD | Columbia, MO USA | 10/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a workmanlike recording of most or all of Mozart's explicitly "Masonic" music, including the famous funeral music, together with some other works of less obvious Masonic connection. As some of these are not often recorded it is nice to get them, and the recording as noted has decent performances and good sound quality."