"Posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years." –Joseph Haydn.
Mozart lived at a time of great appreciation for musicians, artists and free-thinkers. Always wishing to remain in the limelight and surrounded by the aristocracy who paid him well, Mozart became a member of the Freemasons in Vienna and moved up their ranks to "master" in a matter of months. The lodge became his place of spiritual fulfillment and community. He was regarded as the most important musical brother and endeavored to compose several works for the brotherhood. He deeply appreciated their open dialogue of the new, "enlightened" thinking, including humanism and rationalism, as opposed to the other faction within the brotherhood that partook in mysticism and the occult. His circle within the Freemasons was known as the Illuminati, or those who were enlightened. One viewpoint he appreciated regarded nobility not as a class but rather a manner of spirit and conduct. A poor man could be exceptionally noble while a man nobly born could produce hatred and evil unbecoming of his birthright. These views were evident in the storyline of the Figaro trilogy by French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais, the second of which was originally banned by the French king due to its anti-aristocracy sentiment. Two years after the ban was finally lifted, Mozart re-worked the play into an opera to great acclaim. Freemasons used music in their ceremonies to set the tone. They regarded music as a way to support their "feelings of humanity, wisdom and patience, virtue and honesty, loyalty to friends, and finally an understanding of freedom." The Renaissance had begun to give way to the complexities of the Baroque and Mozart was enthusiastically studying the intricate works of his predecessors, Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, two of the world's premier composers known for their progressive arrangements. Mozart's Masonic music often incorporated three-part harmony, representing the number three which is significant in Freemasonry. Mozart also included in his works for the brotherhood plenty of suspensions to indicate friendship and brotherhood. One of the last pieces he wrote was Kleine Freimaurer-Kantate (The Little Masonic Cantata) which he also directed in 1791. His final great opera, Die Zauberflute (The Magic Flute) has strong Masonic elements of humanism. Mozart relied on wealthy brothers to lend him money, or advance him payments for works promised, and their support made it possible for Mozart to keep producing great works.
This color coordinated collection of fashion fabrics was first featured in our Vogue Fabrics By Mail Winter 2010 catalog of swatches. Subscribe to receive home delivery of these catalogs every other month.
Mozart lived at a time of great appreciation for musicians, artists and free-thinkers. Always wishing to remain in the limelight and surrounded by the aristocracy who paid him well, Mozart became a member of the Freemasons in Vienna and moved up their ranks to "master" in a matter of months. The lodge became his place of spiritual fulfillment and community. He was regarded as the most important musical brother and endeavored to compose several works for the brotherhood. He deeply appreciated their open dialogue of the new, "enlightened" thinking, including humanism and rationalism, as opposed to the other faction within the brotherhood that partook in mysticism and the occult. His circle within the Freemasons was known as the Illuminati, or those who were enlightened. One viewpoint he appreciated regarded nobility not as a class but rather a manner of spirit and conduct. A poor man could be exceptionally noble while a man nobly born could produce hatred and evil unbecoming of his birthright. These views were evident in the storyline of the Figaro trilogy by French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais, the second of which was originally banned by the French king due to its anti-aristocracy sentiment. Two years after the ban was finally lifted, Mozart re-worked the play into an opera to great acclaim. Freemasons used music in their ceremonies to set the tone. They regarded music as a way to support their "feelings of humanity, wisdom and patience, virtue and honesty, loyalty to friends, and finally an understanding of freedom." The Renaissance had begun to give way to the complexities of the Baroque and Mozart was enthusiastically studying the intricate works of his predecessors, Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, two of the world's premier composers known for their progressive arrangements. Mozart's Masonic music often incorporated three-part harmony, representing the number three which is significant in Freemasonry. Mozart also included in his works for the brotherhood plenty of suspensions to indicate friendship and brotherhood. One of the last pieces he wrote was Kleine Freimaurer-Kantate (The Little Masonic Cantata) which he also directed in 1791. His final great opera, Die Zauberflute (The Magic Flute) has strong Masonic elements of humanism. Mozart relied on wealthy brothers to lend him money, or advance him payments for works promised, and their support made it possible for Mozart to keep producing great works.
This color coordinated collection of fashion fabrics was first featured in our Vogue Fabrics By Mail Winter 2010 catalog of swatches. Subscribe to receive home delivery of these catalogs every other month.
