Music TheoryPrint

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Maurerische Trauermusik

The (Masonic Funeral Music) in C minor, K. 477 (K. 479a), is an orchestral work composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1785 in his capacity as a member of the Freemasons. The autograph manuscript of

History#

Mozart’s own entry into his catalogue under the heading “July 1785” may be an error; he most likely forgot to enter a new heading for November. It was performed during a Masonic funeral service held on 17 November 1785 in memory of two of Mozart’s Masonic brethren, Duke Georg August of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and Count Franz Esterházy von Galántha, members of the Viennese aristocracy. The work uses the Gregorian chant reciting tone . The work is scored for 2 oboes, 1 clarinet, 3 basset horns, 1 contrabassoon, 2 horns and strings. The basset horn parts were written for fellow Freemasons Anton David and Vincent Springer. was premiered in the by the baroque orchestra La Banda conducted by Sebastian Ruf as an introduction to a performance of the Requiem.

See also#

  • Masonic music
  • Mozart and Freemasonry

Further reading#

  • Konrad, Ulrich (2020). “Fragen zur Maurerischen Trauermusik KV 477”, Mozart Studien 27, pp. 155–176.
  • W. A. Mozart: Maurerische Trauermusik KV 477 (479a). Originale Besetzung (Mozart), Spätere Besetzung (Mozart), Postume Doppelbesetzung. Kritische Ausgabe, ed. Konrad, Ulrich (2024) Kassel: Bärenreiter (BA 9189).
  • Maurerische Trauermusik, K. 477 (479a). “Mozart’s autograph”, Berlin State Library
  • , Vienna Philharmonic, Herbert von Karajan
Composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart