Maurerische Trauermusik

The Maurerische Trauermusik (or Masonic Funeral Music) in C minor, K. 477 (K. 479a), for orchestra, is a piece composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1785^[1] in his capacity as a member of the Freemasons. According to Mozart's own catalogue, the piece was composed in July 1785.^[2] It was performed during a Masonic service held on 17 November 1785 in memory of two of Mozart's Masonic brethren,^[3] Duke Georg August of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and Count Franz Esterházy von Galántha,^[4] members of the Viennese aristocracy. The instrumental version of the Maurerische Trauermusik received its premiere later, in a concert on 9 December 1785.

The Maurerische Trauermusik is unusual in other respects, including its use of the Gregorian chant tonus peregrinus, and its inclusion of the basset horn (the latter trait due to fellow Freemason Vincent Springer playing the instrument at the premiere).^[1]

See also

• Mozart and Freemasonry

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} p. 443 (2009) Heartz
2. ^ Hermann Abert, Stewart Spencer, Cliff Eisen, W.A. Mozart, p. 782, Yale University Press (2007), ISBN 978-0300072235
3. ^ p. 116 (1998) Rosselli
4. ^ C. Eisen (2006). The Cambridge Mozart Encyclopedia, Cambridge University Press, Inc. p. 168

References

• Heartz (2009) Daniel. New York Mozart, Haydn and Early Beethoven: 1781 — 1802 W. W. Norton & Co.
• Rosselli (1998) John. Cambridge The Life of Mozart Cambridge University Press

External links

• Maurerische Trauermusik KV 477: Score and critical report (German) in the Neue Mozart-Ausgabe