A Focus on Masonic Research, News, and other Tidbits

Homo sum; humani nihil a me alienum puto.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Mozart and the Freemasons

Tim Bryce, of some e-Mason fame, was kind of enough to highlight a recent article concerning Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart that can be found, oddly enough, on a computer and video game site. It is an interesting read for those that are not fully familiar with Mozart's Masonic background. It may also cause the interested reader to research further due to one glaring oddity that the article brings up. From the article:

"A strange event that happened when Mozart was 16 once again causes us to ask questions about Mozart's relations with the Freemasons: he composed 'O Helliges Band', the text of which is taken from a secret Masonic book that only members know. How could Mozart have access to this work at such a young age? Wolfgang was only 'officially' initiated when he was 28…"

[About the picture: Drawing of Mozart in silverpoint, made by Dora Stock during Mozart's visit to Dresden, April 1789]

3 comments:

Wayfaring Man said...

"O heiliges Band der Freundschaft" (auf english: "O! Sacred Bond of Friendship") for tenor and Piano, with a Kirchel listing of No. 148 is thought to have been composed in
1772 and later adopted for Masonry. It is the opinion of at least one writer that it was probably sung at refreshment. See http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/biography/mozart_a/music.html

Someone could earn a Ph.D. explaining what really occurred.

Gingerman said...

Joseph Smith, Jr., the Mormon founder, started out as an anti-mason, judging by the Book of Mormon, in which "secret combinations," are condemned over and over again. He later joined the Freemasons, and loved the Craft until his death. People who are not initiates often disrespect or disregard the principles of privacy and the importance of some canonical works to the Craft. If they join up, their ideas can change.

The Palmetto Bug said...

gingerman: I'm not sure what your comment has to do with this particular subject, but it still an interesting comment.

Here is a good link to further information concerning Freemasonry and Mormons: http://www.mastermason.com/masonicmoroni/