Masonic Music
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Johann Christian Bach | Ludwig van Beethoven | Franz Joseph Haydn |
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Jean Sibelius | John Philip Sousa |
Masonic Music has been defined as "music used in connection with the ritual and social functions of freemasonry". Two major types of music used in masonic lodges are lodge songs, played to keyboard accompaniment before or after meetings, or during meals; and music written to accompany specific masonic ceremonies and events. Because the number 3 and the letter 'B' are of particular significance to freemasonry, music written in the keys of C minor or E flat major, which both involve 3 flats, (whose symbol '♭' resembles the lowercase letter 'b'), in their key signatures has been considered especially appropriate for masonic ceremonial music.
Music specially composed for masonic rituals began to be published in the 18th century. Anthems and other works for use in Masonic Lodges were written by, amongst others, in the 18th century.
The music written for masonic use by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is among the best-known of its kind. It includes the Maurerische Trauermusik (Masonic Funeral Music) and several songs and cantatas. Mozart's opera The Magic Flute and his incidental music to Thamos, King of Egypt also have masonic connections.
Lodges sometimes used the music of other composers for their proceedings (with or without permission) often adding different words. For example, in 1810, Ludwig van Beethoven, who is not documented as a mason, wrote to his friend doctor: "I was told you were singing a song of mine in the Masonic Lodge... Send it to me, I am going to replace it and you won't be sorry." Wegeler himself published two masonic texts suggesting melodies of Beethoven (the Opferlied WoO 126 and the song Der Freie Mann WoO 117) which could be used for them.