Brother Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

“All I insist on, and nothing else, is that you should show the whole world that you are not afraid. Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak—and speak in such a way that people will remember it.” ― Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a Freemason and generational composer.

The name Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is synonymous with musical genius. Although he lived a famously short life, the composer left an indelible mark on classical music during the 18th century, one that reaches into the modern era and continues to move the souls of people around the world.

Beyond the sheer brilliance of his compositions, Brother Mozart was a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist, and his mastery extended across a myriad of musical forms. His extensive body of work encompasses sonatas, symphonies, masses, chamber music, concertos, and operas. Each piece, a testament to his unparalleled creativity, is marked by vivid emotion and sophisticated textures that have continued to captivate audiences across centuries.

Beneath the surface of his musical prowess lies a captivating story of Brother Mozart's involvement with Freemasonry. Our brotherhood played a significant role in shaping his worldview and artistic endeavors. As we navigate through the chapters of Mozart's life, we unveil the relationship between the composer and the tenets of our great fraternity, shedding light on how this association left an unforgettable imprint on his compositions and contributed to the rich tapestry of his musical legacy.

The Precocious Composer

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, to Leopold Mozart and Anna Maria in Salzburg. He was the youngest of seven children and the only surviving son, as five of his siblings tragically died in infancy. His only surviving sister was Maria Anna Mozart, nicknamed "Nannerl." Theirs was a middle-class family, with Leopold working as a composer, teacher, and violinist for Count Leopold Anton von Firmian, the ruling Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. Leopold eventually became the deputy Kapellmeister of Firmian's orchestra in 1763. 

Portrait of the Mozart family, c. 1780

Nannerl began taking keyboard lessons from her father when she was seven. All the while, young Brother Mozart – just three years old then – watched and learned. His capacity for music principles was astounding; before long, he could pick out chords played on the harpsichord. By age five, he was playing short pieces and composing original works. Nannerl later said of her brother's innate musical talent:

“He often spent much time at the clavier, picking out thirds, which he was ever striking, and his pleasure showed that it sounded good. ... In the fourth year of his age his father, for a game as it were, began to teach him a few minuets and pieces at the clavier. ... He could play it faultlessly and with the greatest delicacy and keeping exactly in time. ... At the age of five, he was already composing little pieces, which he played to his father who wrote them down.”

While Brother Mozart is known best for his unrelenting work ethic and voluminous catalog of original works, he also was an impressive multi-instrumentalist. As a boy, he learned to play the harpsichord, violin, piano, organ, and viola, prompting his father to devote much of his time to his children's musical education.

Mozart on Tour

Leopold called his son "The miracle which God let be born in Salzburg." In 1762, Leopold decided it was time for the world to meet his talented children. Nannerl was 11, and Brother Mozart was just six when the family embarked on a tour of Europe, starting with the court of Bavaria in Munich before heading off to Paris, London, Zurich, and more. They performed for royalty, nobility, and the general public at events essential for showcasing his talent and securing financial support from patrons.

These tours were hugely important for the young composer. Brother Mozart's first music (sonatas for keyboard and violin) was published while they were in Paris. While in London, he befriended Johann Christian Bach (son of the famous Johann Sebastian Bach) and worked with him as he composed his first symphonies. Through his travels, he came to master the different musical styles that dominated each European region, including sonatas, operas, and symphonies. 

One particularly impressive anecdote occurred while Leopold and Brother Mozart were in Italy. Brother Mozart went to a performance of Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere in the Sistine Chapel. After the performance, he wrote out the entire score from memory.

The Vienna Years

After years of performing across the continent, Brother Mozart was a certifiable sensation. His reputation had earned him the patronage of royal and aristocratic figures, including Archbishop Colloredo of Salzburg and Emperor Joseph II. From 1773 to 1777, he worked as a court musician in Salzburg, composing for various genres, including symphonies, sonatas, string quartets, masses, serenades, and a few operas.

Sheet music from the Dies Irae movement of the Requiem Mass in D minor (K. 626)

In August 1777, Brother Mozart resigned his position and again found himself traveling across Europe in search of work and love. After several listless years, he landed in Vienna, where the Emperor supported his career with significant commissions. Now acting as a freelance composer and performer, his career and personal life flourished. He married Maria Constanze, and together they had six children, although only two survived infancy.

Soon, Brother Mozart was churning out a considerable amount of instrumental music, such as symphonies, chamber music, piano concertos, and string quartets. He also collaborated with librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte on three of his most famous operas, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Cosi fan tutte, cementing his reputation as a leading opera composer of his time. 

Mozart and Freemasonry

While In Vienna, Brother Mozart became an Entered Apprentice in the Masonic lodge "Zur Wohltätigkeit" ("Beneficence") on December 14, 1784. Within a few months, he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason and began attending meetings of "Zur wahren Eintracht" ("True Concord") lodge, which was the largest in the city. That same year, Brother Mozart's father, Leopold, also became a Mason while visiting Vienna. 

It is clear that his entry into the Brotherhood had a profound impact on the young man and soon influenced his composition. Brother Mozart began creating pieces specially for Freemasons, including his Freemason's Funeral Music. It is well known that he wove Masonic themes and symbolism into his famous opera The Magic Flute. In the overture sheet music, he included a dotted figure representing the three knocks a Brother would make to initiate a Masonic ceremony.

 Here are just a few of the surviving works that Brother Mozart composed for his brethren to perform at Masonic gatherings:

·       O heiliges Band der Freundschaft treuer Brüder (O sacred bond of friendship between true brothers)

·       Lied zur Gesellenreise: Die ihr einem neuen Grad (For use at installation of new journeymen)

·       Cantata for tenor, male chorus, and orchestra: The Mason's Joy

·       Maurerische Trauermusik (The Masonic Funeral Music)

·       Kleine Freimaurer-Kantate (The Little Masonic Cantata)

·       Laßt uns mit geschlungen Händen (For the close of the lodge)

Death and Legacy

Despite his reputation and amazing body of work, circumstances changed for Brother Mozart and his family. Starting in 1786, the Austro-Turkish War decreased the prosperity and ability of the aristocracy to support music. Brother Mozart was forced to borrow money from fellow Freemasons and friends and traveled to Leipzig, Dresden, and Berlin to find work. He remained productive and composed some of his most famous works, including “Requiem” and The Magic Flute. His fortunes changed, and his earnings increased as his new compositions were well received. 

Sadly, Brother Mozart became sick in Prague on September 6, 1791. He was in the city to attend the premiere of his opera La Clemenza di Tito, but his health continued to deteriorate. By November 20, he was bedridden under the care of his wife. Brother Mozart passed to the Celestial Lodge on December 5, 1791, at just 35 years old. To this day, the cause of his death is uncertain.

What is certain, however, is that his extraordinary life and accomplishments will live on in the hearts of music lovers everywhere. Despite his young age when he died, he had composed over 800 pieces of music and influenced generations of composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

As we reflect upon the chapters of his life, it becomes evident that Brother Mozart's journey transcended mere notes on a score; it was a harmonious fusion of artistic brilliance and philosophical exploration. Brother Mozart's affiliation with the Craft not only provided him with a unique intellectual and spiritual framework but also left an enduring mark on his compositions. Through his art, Brother Mozart seamlessly wove the esoteric and the melodic, creating a musical legacy that transcends the boundaries of time.